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Rideau Hall Emancipation Day Storytime

Black Legacy Collective shares little-known histories across Ottawa through storytelling and education, ensuring Black heritage is visible, accessible, and recognized as part of the city’s and country’s ongoing story.

On August 2, 2025, Black Legacy Collective (BLC) partnered with United for Literacy, an organization over 125 years old, to participate in the annual Rideau Hall Storytime at the Governor Generals residence in Ottawa. Our founder had the distinction of being the first author to read their story during Doors Open Ottawa, part of Rideau Hall’s annual event.

Since 1867, Rideau Hall has been the official residence of every Governor General in Canada. It is a living site of historical preservation, opened to the public several times each year to explore Canada’s history.

Goals

  • Teach about the meaning of Emancipation day celebrations in Canada
  • Promote early literacy in partnership with United for Literacy
  • Showcase Black Legacy Collective, a local national non-profit dedicated to preserving history
  • Strengthen partnerships between heritage institutions and Black-led organizations

Impact

The Emancipation Day Story-time was a success! Our founder and Beza Temesgen read during four-scheduled story-times to children attending the Doors Open event with their families. The event brought together people from across Canada and internationally, giving them an opportunity to learn about Ottawa and Canadian history. Black Legacy Collective was proud to participate in this significant event.

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Land Acknowledgement

Black Legacy Collective recognizes and acknowledges with gratitude the sacred land on which our main office is situated as the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeq Nation. We are cognizant that Canadian contemporary society, beneath a veil of “equality” and “reconciliation”, maintains the long-held colonial tactic to dispossess our Indigenous friends of their traditional lands and livelihoods. We stand in solidarity with these lands’ original peoples. We acknowledge the continued presence and vibrance of these Nations as well as the growing, thriving communities of urban Indigenous peoples. We remain committed to learning how to be better neighbours. A portion of our annual proceeds is donated to Indigenous led causes.

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