The African Millennium Caravan For Historical Reclamation
It is being proposed in this project, the implementation of a plan to take a number of youth and adults on a historic one day journey to PARLIMENT HILL Ottawa: the Nations Capital and the seat of its political and historic centre.
The purpose of this trip is at least tri-fold and envisages in its objective:
The Official Launch of the JFCCO/ACCBC historical Millennium Documentary Project: Two thousand years of African History the legacy and contributions of African peoples to world Civiliazation.
The oppotunity to take non-privilaged and at-risk youth from the Jane Finch area on a memorable historic journey to the Nations Capital at which they will have the privilege of participating in an experience that should serve to empower them with a sense of pride and personal motivation as well as to maximize their individual potential.
To use this opportunity as a once in a lifetime occasion to assemble an unprecedented gathering of those Living African-Canadians of historic stature to the county's foremost historic institution: and to use this event to honour, recognize and celebrate with them and the youth gathered in this place, their unparalleled contributions, for prosperity.
A project date for this event is being established with the assistance and collaboration of Members of Parliment, Honourable Judy Sgro (York West Riding) and Honourable Jean Augustine MP, that will conveniently coincide with Prime Minister Jean Chretien's schedule sometime before he effectively leaves office: and
It is proposed to conduct a Caravan Journey on a selected date in the last week of October or first week of November 2003 subject to the Prime Minister's schedule, in which approximately one hundred or more youth from the Jane Finch area shall leave Toronto and travel together with a supervisory staff and a respectable number of African-Canadian Historic Figures to the Nation's Parliamentary Building in Ottawa Ontario.
It is anticipated that the journey shall proceed with two or three coaches and possibility by rail or aircraft for those elderly and/or frail individuals who are unable to sustain the rigours of extended road travel.
Among the list of prominent African-Canadians shall be:
Dignitaries such as Ms. Rosemary Sadlier - President of Ontario Black History Society, Hounarable Lincoln Alexander, Jean Augustine MP, Ovid Jackson MP, MP from Windsor, and the MP from Quebec; African-Canadian Senators in the House of Commons, Alvin Curling MPP, Zanana Akande, Leonard Braithwaite; Business and professional representatives such as Michael Lee Chin, Denham Jolly, Arnold Auguste; Judges Maurice Charles, Juanita Westmoland-Traore and julius Isaacs; Community activists, such as Bromley Armstrong, Charles Roach, and Dudley Laws.
Other invited guests shall include:
Ambassadors from the African countries and from countries in Europe and the Caribbean area who have had relationships with the African Continent in the horrific removal of Africans to their respective destinations in the various Diasporas.
It is envisioned that the total gathering should comprise approximately 200 persons.
ORGANIZATIONAL PLANS INCLUDE:
Preperation of a reception to be hosted by Parliament Hill for the dignitaries and students; and an address to be given by the Prime Minister with introductions being done by the Honourable Judy Sgro MP: and this shall require making available and appropriate space to accommodate the respective guests and dignitaries.
It is further anticipated that a Tour of the Parliamentary Buildings shall be arranged for the dignitaries and the students and that a formal visit and interview with The Honourable Jean Augustine shall be conducted in her office (the representative for Etobicoke Lakeshore and the first Black Female MP in the historic Houses of Parliament).
The proceedings shall include the provision of refreshments, some formal entertainment and addresses by selected members of the delegation: a special presentation shall be given by 12 year old Jamal Hunte a seosoned public speaking veteran at his age.
An anticipated highlight of the days proceedings shall be an opportunity for dignitaries and guests of our party to meet and formally intermingle with sitting Members of Parliament and the Prime Minister and in particular with those Members of Parliament who are of African-Canadian Heritage.
It is further proposed to document by audio-visual means all of the respective activities in order that these shall be incorporated into larger documentary production.
PRINCIPAL PARTNERS AND CONTRIBUTORS to this historic effort are MP Judy Sgro and Mrs. Leila Mackenzie Consul-General for Senegal in Toronto.
