Unpacking the Forum’s Core: Cultural Preservation and Community Engagement ft. Wendi L. Wilson.

by Itai Kuwodza

Wendi L. Wilson's session journey goes deep into the heart of cultural preservation within the African Nova Scotian community. She begins with the stories of exceptional African Nova Scotian women, highlighting the lengths individuals went to overcome systemic barriers and contribute to their communities. Wendi emphasizes she can see the resilience of Black educators and professionals even when they are being tokenized or marginalized as they leave a permanent mark on history.

A particularly gripping piece of information she shares touches on the sacred rituals surrounding food and culinary traditions within the African Nova Scotian community. She describes how dishes like oxtail and fish cakes are imbued with memories and the spirits of ancestors, underlining that the "best ingredients are memory." This intertwining of food and memory is exciting as it shows that there are intimate connections between cultural practices, community identity, and the personal history of Black bodies. In the discussions of cultural preservation strategies, Wendi echoes our other guests, as documentation is a part of validating and honouring the rich tapestry of African Nova Scotian, Indigenous and other marginalized cultures.

Listen up, because this episode gave voice to the feelings of ease and understanding Black people experience within their communities alluding to memories embedded into our skin. An ancestral legacy and collective understanding of history and culture. If you want to learn about the depth of community knowledge this is the episode for you!