Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It was loaned to you by your children. ~ Kenyan Proverb

INDABA MOMENT ACTIVITIES

Examining some of the lessons  that inform,inspire ,influence and motivate us about 'Sustainable Living"  from:

•  Ancient Kemet

• Africa Today

• Noted Black Environmentalist

Using our tools,(The Nguzo Saba, Maat) to creatively design an Action Plan (intergenerational)

As Earth Month approaches, we are excited to present this workshop in collaboration with BE Initiative.

This fun interactive workshop will focus on the building blocks of life on our planet. Using their extensive knowledge in this field the BEI presenters will make the connection as to why our community should be leading the effort of sustaining our environment for the benefit of future generations.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM OUR ANCESTORS ABOUT HEALTH AND WELLNESS?

Attending to Mind ,Body, and Soul in all we do.

We will be looking at the impact of our recent history on the mental, physical and spiritual conditions facing the global Afrikan community today, the lessons we can learn from our ancestors and the importance of focusing on our health and well being as a means of sustaining our movements going forward.

Indaba activities

• OVERVIEW OF HEALTH AND NUTRITION

• EXPLORING THE AFRICAN FOOD GUIDE

• TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE POWER

• INTERACTIVE  fOOD EXPERIENCE

Our intro to Black History Month will be attended by MP Gary Anandasangaree, to profile ACHA’s contribution to the community.

“When I started, I had to write programs for computers—I had never seen a computer before in my life except in science fiction movies. I made a decision that I was going to learn everything I could about computers, inside and out”

Valerie Thomas, NASA Scientist, Inventor

A Journey examining the achievements of our Scientist and Inventors to understand the principle of IMANI.

“When we say that the ancestors of the Blacks, who today live mainly in Black Africa, were the first to invent mathematics, astronomy, the calendar, sciences in general arts, religion, agriculture, social organization, medicine, writing, technique, architecture; [...] when we say all that we are merely expressing the plain unvarnished truth that no one today can refute by arguments worthy of the name.”

Cheikh Anta Diop

“As a man, I undertake to risk annihilation so that two or three truths can cast their essential light on the world.”
― Frantz Fanon,

As we enter black history month, we explore who we are and we honour those who inspire us.

INDABA MOMENT ACTIVITY

CREATIVE SHOW AND SHARE

I AM....CHOOSE AN ANCESTOR, CREATE A COLLAGE TO REPRESENT THE LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM THE , THEN  SHARE THE LESSONS 

THEME: SANKOFA~OUR JOURNEY TO IMANI

A Journey examining Lessons learned from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to help us understand the principle of IMANI.

“The difference between a dreamer and a visionary is that a dreamer has his eyes closed and a visionary has his eyes open.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

INDABA MOMENT ACTIVITY

Choosing some key moments in Dr. Martin Luther King's life as well as his words to extract the lessons and messages that they taught us

John Buchan Senior Public School

2450 Birchmount Rd, Scarborough, ON 

IMANI

The seventh principle is Imani (Faith) which is essentially a profound and enduring belief in and commitment to all that is of value to us as a family, community, people and culture. Faith is put forth as the last principle as unity is put forth as the first principle for a definite reason. It is to indicate that without unity, we cannot begin our most important work, but without faith we cannot sustain it. Unity brings us together and harnesses our strength, but faith in each other and the Good, the Right, the Beautiful inspires and sustains the coming together and the commitment to take the work to its end.

“Afrikans must become the primary definers of their own ethnicity and determiners of their own self-perception, character and behavior. This means that Afrikans must develop a robust and wholesome ethnocentrism.”  Amos Wilson

We will continue the build up to our KWANZAA celebration on December 9 2023. This preparation will include finalizing the event format, drumming practise , movement and creative activity. It’s never too late to step in. This is a great way to get involved in a community event that’s focused on building a common consciousness.

When contemporary black families abandon the positive ancestral legacy wherein the cultivation of spiritual practice was a necessary component of self development, they were and are deprived of a primary foundation for the construction of heathy self-esteem”. Bell Hooks

This session will be the first in the build up to our Kwanzaa celebration on December 9 2023 This preparation will include drumming, movement, art and so much more. Join Us!! It’s not too late to step in, you can be a part of this meaningful community event

Let’s USE OUR CREATIVITY to remember our ANCESTORS

“We honour our ancestors, enrich our lives, and give promise to our descendants. Moreover, through this historic work and struggle we strive to always know and introduce ourselves to history and humanity as a people who are spiritually and ethically grounded”. Maulana Karenga

(A day to remember the Maafa and to freely and openly give voice to and grievethe trauma of the Maafa and its continued after-effects. )

The MAAFAAdapted from:  http://www.remembertheancestors.com

Meaning of the word Maafa:   The Maafa is a Kiswahili term for “terrible occurrence” or “great disaster”. It refers to the African Holocaust when millions of African people died making the journey of captivity from the interior of Africa to the shores of America, known as the Middle Passage.

Why it is important to REMEMBER:  When we commemorate our ancestors, we understand our conditions better, realize our strengths, and determine solutions for our collective future. These activities help us commemorate and honor the struggle of our ancestors, the continuing struggle of our people worldwide, and encourage and support the hope that is ours. Our ancestors already paid for us, and they provide clues, keys, and instructions for our survival as well as our restoration in the many ways they speak in words and signs and symbols. They suffered for us, lived and died for us, because they loved us so. Let us now love ourselves enough to restore and repair ourselves, to continue to build a brighter future for those who will come after us.

Activity: Nakumbuka Libation, Design symbol with Egyptian Lotus, write a poem or song to an ancestor, creative art work around writing,, Black war veterans video

Supplies: Paper, crayons, lotus template, videos

“A group or culture that shares a common consciousness empowers both itself and its individual members”. Amos N. Wilson

 IMANI: “To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teacher, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle”. Today’s activities will focus attention on the role IMANI plays in our everyday lives, and how we can use this principle to create the future we envision for ourselves.

WE ARE EXCITED TO INTRODUCE OUR DRUM WORKSHOP FOR ALL AGES THIS WEEK, THESE SESSIONS WILL BE LED BY ONE OF ACHA’s ALUMNI.

Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew. They’re what make the instrument stretch — what make you go beyond the norm.

– Cicely Tyson, actress and fashion model

ACHA Programming for 10/28/2023
Today at ACHA, we have an exciting lineup of programming, games, and interactive activities aimed at bringing us together for this shared experience.

We must self-consciously become and be fathers, mothers, midwives and mentors who constantly give birth to good in the world and who sustain and increase it in the interest of the people and the well-being of the world.

— Maulana Karenga

Attention parents and guardians!

We are thrilled to invite you to register your child for ACHA's highly anticipated in-person programming at the John Buchan Senior Public School. Our engaging and interactive curriculum is carefully designed to foster hands-on learning, encouraging your child's growth, development, and curiosity. Don't let this extraordinary opportunity slip away! Enroll your child today and witness firsthand how ACHA empowers young minds to thrive and flourish. Join us as we embark on an exciting educational journey together!

If you have children that fall into the age groups of 5-12 and 12 -18, it’s well worth taking a look at our hands-on activities, which are designed to keep your child engaged, while creating a safe space for parents and elders in the community to connect and share our history and common issues affecting African Canadian families.

The ACHA journey

THIS IS US

Kicking off this year of IMANI (faith), by connecting with each other in harmony with the changes of the season.

Gathering @ 10.00, Hike starts @ 10.30. Farm visit after hike (optional)

Commune with us at ACHA,s Annual Thanksgiving Weekend Hike. This year we return to Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area. Reservations are recommended, Come dressed for the weather, with walking shoes, water and snacks.

LETS RE-CONNECT

COME CELEBRATE COMMUNITY WITH US

A free in person interactive event celebrating community, alumni, members and supporters

Fun activities for all ages with a focus on Afrofuturism, culminating in our ACHA community feast and unity dance. Be sure to register on the Eventbrite link below

OUR SANKOFA JOURNEY TO KUJICHAGULIA ~ SELF-DETERMINATION

“The economic philosophy of black nationalism only means that our people need to be re-educated into the importance of controlling the economy of the community in which we live, which means that we won't have to constantly be involved in picketing and boycotting other people in other communities in order to get jobs” Malcolm X

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM OUR ANCESTORS ABOUT SELF DETERMINATION AS A NATION?

“Our success educationally, industrially and politically is based upon the protection of a nation founded by ourselves. And the nation can be nowhere else but in Africa” Hon. Marcus Mosiah Garvey

“The core and fundamental quality of our self-determination, reaffirms our right and responsibility to exist as a people, to speak our own special truth to the world and to make our own contribution to the forward flow of human history. To do the opposite is immoral; to do less is dishonorable and ultimately self-destructive”
Molefi Asante, The Afrocentric Ideal, Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1987

In this session we’ll be building on the progression of Self-determination as it shifts from the individual to the community and into the Afrikan nation as a whole.

Thank you to all who joined us for this virtual series on Self-determination. We will be hosting an in person gathering of supporters, friends and alumni, on Saturday May 6th at Tropicana Community Services. More details to follow

OUR SANKOFA JOURNEY TO KUJICHAGULIA ~ SELF-DETERMINATION

"One of the first lessons that I learned and that was very clear to me, was that a community must be organized if that community hopes to achieve and sustain progress, justice and respect". -Dudley Laws

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM OUR ANCESTORS ABOUT SELF DETERMINATION AS A COMMUNITY?

“The contemporary Afrikan American/Canadian community is heir to perhaps the longest tradition of commerce and entrepreneurialism of any group on earth. It is often recalled that the most ancient Afrikan civilizations such as those of Ethiopia and the Nile Valley were founded on economic systems of trade and commerce. The fabled kingdoms of Eastern and Western Afrika were based on commercial enterprise, on monopolies and control over important economic material resources, centers of trade and major trade routes”. - Amos Wilson

We will explore the legacy of self-determination left to us by Afrikan communities both on the continent and in the diaspora. Asking ourselves the question; How do we apply these lessons to our present situation?

OUR SANKOFA JOURNEY TO KUJICHAGULIA ~ SELF-DETERMINATION

"The Black family is understood as the core institution of Black life"

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM OUR ANCESTORS ABOUT SELF DETERMINATION AS A FAMILY?

"The Black family is the enduring atom that has, throughout time, been tested to its limits. Yet it finds a way to remain whole and grow stronger. It’s the seed from which we grow and learn things that ....we must know to survive. The Black family urges each Black person not to settle for survival, but to flourish. The Black family comes through in the work that we do and makes our contributions to the world full of a special type of soul, passion, grace and intelligence."

Black Organization for Leadership & Development (BOLD)

In this session we will delve into the role of the family in the socialization of our offspring and the importance of including elders and ancestors as a vital part of the family circle.

OUR SANKOFA JOURNEY TO KUJICHAGULIA ~ SELF-DETERMINATION - Attending to Mind ,Body, and Soul in all we do.

What impact can radical self care have on the sustainability of our movements?

“I think longevity is important, and not simply individual longevity, it is equally important to recognise that as we develop our movement today we’re creating a terrain for the emergence of new activists and what we do today has an impact on what younger people will be able to do tomorrow. I think we have to imagine ourselves as connected to people who came before us, and those who will come after us” Angela Davis

We will be looking at the impact of our recent history on the conditions facing the global Afrikan community today, and the importance of using “RADICAL SELF CARE” as a means to sustain our movements going forward.

“LET’S CELEBRATE KWANZAA 2022”

You won't want to miss this free in person event, featuring interactive activities for children youth and adults. Prizes, Children’s book giveaways, Art installations, Communal feast and more.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 10, 2022. 1-5.00pm

Centre for Young Black Professionals

75 Thermos Rd, Scarborough, ON M1L 0E6

Celebrating the Nguzo Saba

Inter-generational gathering of community, giving thanks for the blessings of the past year, and sharing our common vision for tomorrow.

Afrikan Marketplace

Come out and support your local vendors. in the spirit of “UJAMAA (cooperative economics)”. We can and must marshal our economic resources to empower ourselves.

Elevating Culture

Join us in honoring our Ancestors, and lifting up our families, while fostering the Afrikan centered consciousness necessary to create a better future for our people and humanity.

“Afrikans must become the primary definers of their own ethnicity and determiners of their own self-perception, character and behavior. This means that Afrikans must develop a robust and wholesome ethnocentrism.” Amos N. Wilson

In this session we will review the chapters on Marvelous Afrika. This will include an interactive activity: Be prepared for Papyrus Making Day!

You will need:

Brown Paper Bag, white glue to be mixed with water, newspaper or wax paper to cover the area, tray or bowl for mixture.

Reflection:

Important Ancient African traditions, art forms, religious beliefs and science influenced and is central to the development of the modern world .

What Ancient African discoveries amaze you?

Credit: Classical Africa - by Dr. Molefi Kete Asante

“A group or culture that shares a common consciousness empowers both itself and its individual members. This common consciousness facilitates the achievement of many of the ends desired by the group and its individual members which would be difficult or impossible for either to achieve if such a consciousness did not operationally exist ” Amos N. Wilson

In this week’s session we will be looking at the rich variety of Egyptian myths, illustrating their rich and sophisticated religious and philosophical lives as they sought to explain the mysteries of the universe.

Reflection:  

Gods and Nature played a very important role in Ancient African Society. Religion and Spirituality guided their quest for knowledge.

What guides our quest for knowledge today?

Credit: Classical Africa - by Dr. Molefi Kete Asante

WELCOME TO THE FALL SESSION OF OUR ONLINE PROGRAMMING.

Our theme for this year is “Sankofa Journey to Kujichagulia”.

In this session we will be looking at the contribution to science and math left by our ancestors , and how our world today still benefits from this foundation. We will be using information from “Unit 2” of the book Classical Africa - by Dr. Molefi Kete Asante.

Reflection:

The special skills of the Ancient Africans produced architects, surveyors, astronomers, mathematicians, scientist ... long before European influence. Look around you, is it still happening today? Think about the Ancient African discoveries and achievements that inspire us today?

Credit: Classical Africa - by Dr. Molefi Kete Asante

The Thanksgiving weekend is upon us once again. Come rain or shine, we’ll be celebrating the fall season with our annual hike at Crawford lake in the Halton region. We give thanks for the beauty of the season and the opportunity to connect with nature while creating community.

Gathering in the upper parking lot at 10.30am. Walk starts at 11.00 am sharp

Take a moment to explore the Iroquoian longhouse village, for a little insight into the history of the indigenous peoples with whom we share these trails.

PARK REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Hit the link above to register for this family friendly event.

“There comes a time when humanity is called to shift to a new level of consciousness . . . that time is now.”
― Wangari Maathai

Welcome to the fall session of our online programming.

Our theme for this year is “Sankofa Journey to Kujichagulia”.

In this block of classes we will be exploring in greater detail “Unit 2” of the book Classical Africa - by Dr. Molefi Kete Asante.

Reflections:

The Kwanzaa principle of Kujichagulia (Self Determination) requires us to believe that we can use the lesson of our rich past, to create better outcomes for our present and future generations.

" The ancient African country of Egypt laid the foundation for much of modern civilization. Among its contributions are medicine, the calendar, geometry, and art. No nation in antiquity made as many early contributions to human knowledge as ancient Egypt. its reputation is established in medicine, mathematics, architecture, religion, and literature"

Credit: Classical Africa - by Dr. Molefi Kete Asante

ACHA kicks off it’s 2022-2023 year programming with the theme of KUJICHAGULIA (Self Determination)

JOIN US FOR THIS FREE EVENT at the UMOJA SUNRISE CROP OVER CELEBRATION

Live  Band, DELICIOUS Korean BBQ

Farm to Table Corn Soup, Pumpkin Soup and more

Come out and enjoy this final community event of the summer.

INVITE A FRIEND. ESPECIALLY SOMEONE WITH A BUSINESS TO PROMOTE. You can also purchase harvested items on the day.

ACHA members can wear your ACHA t-shirts. Bring a chair and good vibes in support of the farmers and organizers of this social enterprise,