The journey of completing my master's research project was more than just an academic endeavor, but also a deeply personal journey for me.

My research was dedicated to examining how the Canadian government conceptualizes historical trauma and healing within its official apologies; through a case study analysis of the Halifax Regional Municipality's apology for the destruction of Africville. Africville was a small community of predominantly African Nova Scotians located in Halifax, that endured years of neglect, injustice, environmental inequities, and structural racism that was eventually bulldozed by the City.

As I navigated through my paper, I couldn't help but reflect on other similar cases to Africville around Canada. As a Black Canadian with family ties to Nova Scotia, this research became personal and emotional for me. Especially when I visited the Africville Museum this June and gained more insight from former residents and descendants. I also learned about my family's connection to Africville, specifically that my great-grandmother's grandmother, Sarah Anne Mantley’s home was one among many that were bulldozed by the city of Halifax.

Through this research, I learned so much more about my family's history and heritage as generational Black Canadians, the dynamics of government-issued apologies, and the nuances of rhetorical strategies used in apologies.  You can read my paper below: