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Introducing the Loyalist Connections Podcast: Step into a world where history comes alive, voices echo through time, and untold narratives find their voice. Welcome to the Loyalist Connections Podcast, where we discover and capture the rich heritage of the African Nova Scotian community and beyond. Hosted by Laurice Downey, and Shawn Smith our passionate duo brings their expertise and dedication to reveal the captivating stories of our ancestors, shedding light on their resourcefulness, resi ...
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Historic Black settlements in Nova Scotia tell a long-neglected story and through studying them we can unlock invaluable, under-represented knowledge. On a journey of rediscovery, Shawn Smith and Laurice Downey present Loyalist Connections: Est. 1783. They are determined to shed light on these lost and disappearing communities, discuss why these communities could not survive or are fading, and what these collapses tell us about the historic and modern systemic racism Black Nova Scotians face ...
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Season 3 of the Loyalist Connections Podcast kicks-off with a focus on the Cultural Preservation and Capacity Building Forum we held in February. In this trailer Laurice and Shawn discuss the two-day event that brought together students, educators, and community members together to explore Black and African Nova Scotian Cultural Preservation and Co…
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Vanessa Fells, a distinguished community voice, guides us through the multifaceted layers of systemic racism, from its roots in the transatlantic slave trade to its present-day manifestations. Shawn and Laurice, join Vanessa in a journey that uncovers uncomfortable truths and powerful stories that resonate deeply within the Black community. Dive in…
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Africville - Connections to Urban Renewal
52:29
52:29
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Experience the essence of the Loyalist Connections in this heartwarming episode where community, ancestry, and connection come alive. Join Shawn and Laurice along with guests Beatrice and Bernice, as they weave an intricate tapestry of stories that define the spirit of Black communities. In this episode, we delve into how storytelling is not just a…
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In this compelling episode of the Loyalist Connections Podcast, hosts Shawn and Laurice sit down with content creator Matthew Johnson. Matthew discusses his passion for boxing, his dedication to fitness and mental health, and the creation of ArcoVision.By Loyalist Connections Creative Society
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Weymouth Falls - Connections to the Caribbean
49:49
49:49
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In this captivating episode, we venture beyond the surface of connections to explore the rich African Nova Scotian history in Weymouth Falls, Nova Scotia. Join Shawn and Laurice, and our special guest Juanita Peters, as they illuminate the stories woven into this small yet significant community. Weymouth Falls is not just a place of picturesque lan…
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Upper Hammonds Plains - Connections to Urban Development
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49:59
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Join our hosts Shawn and Laurice as they welcome Curtis Whiley, who guides us through the life and soul of Upper Hammonds Plains. This episode is not just a history lesson; it's a celebration of the struggles and triumphs of African Nova Scotian residents and communities in securing their land rights, protecting their heritage, and creating a vibra…
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In this special episode of the Loyalist Connections Podcast, hosts Shawn and Laurice sit down with artist Duane Jones. Duane shares his journey of coming to Nova Scotia, the founding of his business, Art Pays Me, and the challenges of entrepreneurship in the art industry.By Loyalist Connections Creative Society
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Join us as we explore the contrasting realities of Greenville, Nova Scotia, through the eyes of Troy Lawrence. This episode highlights the lived experience of moving to a predominantly white community, unraveling the layers of both subconscious and conscious racial segregation. Troy explains how subconscious segregation manifests as an automatic, o…
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In this episode, our hosts Shawn and Laurice, alongside historian Graham Nickerson, continue their journey and uncover the often-overlooked history of Saint John, New Brunswick and deep ties to the Black Loyalist migration. From skilled tradespeople to labourers and entrepreneurs, their work fuelled the growth of Saint John's economy, leaving an in…
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North Preston - Connections to the Loyalists [Director’s Cut]
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North Preston is one of the oldest and largest Indigenous Black populations whose residents are the ancestors of Black Loyalists (1783), The Jamaican Maroons (1796) and the Black Refugees from the War of 1812 who all settled in Atlantic British North America at different times. The conversation with Nevell Provo weaves the legacy of the regions pas…
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Yarmouth - Connections to Segregation [Director’s Cut]
27:16
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Join us and our special guest Bruce Johnson who is a current resident of Yarmouth, one of the 300 African Nova Scotians residing in the County. Bruce and our hosts dive into the historic racial environment of Yarmouth where the status of Black people started as slaves, who arrived in 1760 with the New England Planters. The status of Black people in…
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Whitney Pier - Connections to the Caribbean [Director’s Cut]
38:49
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Come learn about Whitney Pier with us and our special guest Bradley Sheppard. Whitney Pier was the home to several black Caribbean immigrants who came to Cape Breton in search of work for the Dominion Iron and Steel Company. This episode starts important conversations about the transportation and then planting of Black bodies to perform as surrogat…
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Beechville – Connections to Urban Development [Director’s Cut]
52:07
52:07
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Join us and our special guest Dr. Barb Hamilton-Hinch as we discuss the Black settlement of Beechville. The community settled about 2000 Black refugees from the War of 1812, who arrived from Chesapeake Virginia, Bermuda, Georgia and more settled in until 1816. This episode we dive into the theft of historically Black land, given to Black communitie…
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Birchtown & Shelburne - Connections to the Port [Director’s Cut]
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We're starting where it all began! In this episode our hosts and their special guest Graham Nickerson discuss some of the key cultural traditions, practices and connections between the Black Loyalists that settled in Birchtown and Shelburne. These communities were made of Black people across the region who represented different cultural, religious,…
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Loyalist Connections is a journey of rediscovery, led by hosts Shawn Smith and Laurice Downey. These two old friends want to better understand their Black Loyalist ancestors and what happened to the communities they settled. In this episode, you will get to know our hosts a little better, why they are doing this podcast, and what they hope to achie…
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The New England Planters first arrived with slaves to Yarmouth in 1760. Following the 1784 Shelburne Race Riot, Black Loyalists migrated to Yarmouth in search of freedom, land, and employment opportunities. Shawn caught up with Yarmouth resident Bruce Johnson to share his lived experience growing up in Yarmouth. We discuss the unwritten rules of se…
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Whitney Pier - Connections to the Caribbean
38:24
38:24
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In the early 1900s, there was an influx of immigrants who came to Cape Breton in search of work for the Dominion Iron and Steel Company. Skilled Black workers were recruited from America, the West Indies, and other parts of Nova Scotia to work in the extreme conditions of the steel plant. They predominantly settled in the “Pier”. Through storytelli…
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Beechville - Connections to Urban Development
42:41
42:41
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From 1812-1816, a contingent of Black Refugees settled Beechville on the outskirts of Halifax. Once a predominantly Black community spanning over 5000 acres, Beechville’s geographical boundaries have declined over the years as a result of “urban” development. Our inspiring conversation with special guest Dr. Barb Hamilton-Hinch discusses her connec…
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North Preston - Connections to the Loyalists, Maroons, and Refugees
39:52
39:52
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Home to one of the oldest and largest Indigenous Black populations in Nova Scotia, the community of North Preston saw settlers from multiple migration waves starting with the Black Loyalist in 1783, the Jamaican Maroons in 1796, and the Black Refugees from the War of 1812. With our special guest Nevell Provo we uncovered the geographical boundaries…
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Birchtown & Shelburne - Connections to the Port
48:07
48:07
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We are starting where it all began. Birchtown is one of the oldest African Nova Scotian communities, established in 1783. Shelburne is the site of the first documented race riot in North America. Our discussion with historian Graham Nickerson uncovers the arrival of the Black Loyalists, their resourcefulness, and what led to the 1784 Race Riot. Epi…
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Loyalist Connections is a journey of rediscovery, led by hosts Shawn Smith and Laurice Downey. These two old friends want to better understand their Black Loyalist ancestors and what happened to the communities they settled. In this episode, you will get to know our hosts a little better, why they are doing this podcast, and what they hope to achie…
…
continue reading
The Loyalist Connections is a podcast hosted by Shawn Smith and Laurice Downey. Together, they are determined to shed light on lost or disappearing Black Nova Scotian communities, discuss why these communities could not survive or are fading, and what these collapses tell us about the historic and modern systemic racism Black Nova Scotians face tod…
…
continue reading
