Through its Black History Month program, which Canada celebrates every February, the "Francophone African Community in Saskatchewan" (CAFS) aims to inject a special vitality into the Black community in this province located in Western Canada through artistic performances and celebrations.

According to the association's vice president, Mamadou (Mohamed) Diallo, the contribution of local Black communities in Canada has long been ignored. Hence the need to mobilize energies to highlight the contributions of Black Canadians through the program whose content was unveiled at an event held on Friday in Regina, the provincial capital.

The main idea chosen by the association for its program this year is "Honoring the Past and Inspiring the Future."

"Black history is not limited to (their exposure to) slavery and colonization only, but there is also their contribution to the growth of Canada (including) Saskatchewan," Diallo affirms, "We have contributed greatly to history (Canada's history), and now is the right time to acknowledge that, but also to celebrate it."

According to Diallo, to live together, it is important that "others know us" and that we are able to raise awareness among other local communities.

For her part, the deputy director of the Board of the "Community Association of Francophone Residents of Saskatchewan in Regina" (ACFR), Miray Bizimana, calls for more "justice and fairness for all communities."

It is important to remember that Black people have played, and continue to play, an important role in building Canada. (...) This month calls us to think and act to set mechanisms to achieve equality and justice for all," says Bizimana.

For her, it is also an opportunity to value the contribution of women within the Black community, meaning to remember and "praise all women and all women who have struggled and continue to struggle for this noble cause."

For her part, Adèle Zouga, who is also from the Francophone minority in Saskatchewan, expresses her happiness at celebrating Black History Month.

"As a woman and as a Black person in Saskatchewan, this celebration (of Black History Month) means a lot to me. These meetings must be held," says Zouga, "It is important to promote the community's achievements."

The ceremony, which included speeches and presentations, concluded with artistic performances.