Municipal Democracy

When the first municipal elections were held in Nova Scotia, there were no African Nova Scotians at the table or on the ballot. At that time in our province’s history, wanting to serve was never a problem, feeling engaged and welcomed enough to serve have been barriers to many. Most of the black communities in Nova Scotia were on the outskirts of towns and cities and little attention was paid to their needs by elected officials.

There was, however, a desire on the part of the black community to have their issues and concerns heard. Recognizing how important the written word can be the community decided to have its voice heard through the power of the press. In 1915 members of the black community in Halifax created the original Atlantic Advocate magazine, and in Sydney, Cape Breton, we saw the first edition of the local paper the Nova Scotia Gleaner (1929). Both of these papers provided a forum for social & political issues and concerns to be viewed by the larger community. Another organization which included political concerns as part of its mandate was the Halifax Coloured Citizens Improvement League. Founded by Beresford A. Husbands in 1932, this organization remained functioning and in existence until 1968. It focused on creating a sense of black pride and determination through drawing attention to discriminatory practices, encouraging educational pursuits for blacks, holding parades, pageants, establishing sporting clubs, and other community events.

B.A. Husbands

The opportunity to serve one’s community as an elected politician was somewhat easier when there was a larger concentration of black voters within a specific isolated community. Take the Township of Preston for instance. Here Councillor Thomas Johnson was elected and served his constituents well until 1903. Johnson may have been the first African Nova Scotian elected to a political office.

The African Nova Scotians who have held the position of councillors & alderman are spread out across the province and in all corners: Sydney, Amherst, New Glasgow, Truro, East/North Preston & Cherry Brook, Shelburne, Halifax & Dartmouth, are communities that have had individuals of African descent as representatives on their councils.

The distinction of mayor was something that has eluded the African Nova Scotian communities’ grasp until 1984. In that year, Daurene Lewis was elected mayor of her hometown of Annapolis Royal. This feat made Lewis the very first black female to be elected mayor in Canada. Lewis first entered politics by winning a seat on the Annapolis Royal Town Council in 1979, making her the first black female councillor as well. In 1988, she entered provincial politics and was the first black women in Nova Scotia to run in a provincial election.

Dr. Daurene Lewis

For more information be sure to visit the full exhibit at the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia.