When Debbie Barnard first came to Greater Sudbury in 2011, she remembers crossing the Bridge of Nations on Paris Street, and being reminded of the rich heritage she now calls home.
Not only was the Bahamian flag flying there, but so were dozens of flags representing many countries and cultures from around the world. For Barnard, it demonstrated the promise of acceptance.
Barnard was the guest speaker for the Black History Month celebration at the Caruso Club on Feb. 11. She is vice-president of Process Improvement, Quality and Patient Safety at Health Sciences North.
“(This celebration) is about us appreciating the history of all the people and all the journeys that flag represents,” Barnard said. “It's about sharing the knowledge of our history and our heritage so we can inspire the future.”
Barnard graduated from the Bahamas School of Nursing in 1982. Her career has taken her across North America, to place such as Atlanta, Edmonton and Greater Sudbury.
She credits her success in life to her own mother, who grew up in the Bahamas in a community that, on the surface, seemed very accepting of everyone, but in reality was very segregated, she said.
“She' my hero,” Barnard said. “She had a dream, and in 1967, she built a business that still exists today.”
She said for many black women of that era, who had similar dreams, there were many obstacles to overcome.
“When I was thinking about my speech for tonight, I kept going back to an article in a newspaper in that community that was printed after she died in 2010, and it said she was a legend to remember,” Barnard said. So that's been my anchor throughout my career. My mom was a no-nonsense woman, and in our family, you worked hard, made no excuses, you contributed to your community, and you were the positive example.
“I came to Sudbury to take the job with the hospital, and I think I've done a good job. Every day, I wake up and reflect on why I'm doing this, and that's because I love taking care of people.”
She said Greater Sudbury does a good job of accepting all of the cultures that call the city home, but she would like to see more restaurants and music that is suggestive of the people that live here.
“I think we can do more not only to encourage people to live here, but to take that rich history and infuse it into the community,” she said. “I think that's part of our future as we grow, that we have the opportunity to bring to life all the wonderful richness that we have here.”
More than 200 people attended the Black History Month celebration.
Charles Nyabeze, acting president of the Afro-Heritage Association of Sudbury, said the event is meant to commemorate the achievements and contributions of black people from time immemorial.
“We want to share who we are as people of Afro heritage, and where we're coming from with the rest of the city,” he said. “Events like this help people of Afro heritage to network, to find others of Afro heritage, and to bring them together. Many people come here and don't know anyone else, or if there is anyone else here from their own country.”
Nyabeze said his association is hoping to partner with the Contact interculturel francophone de Sudbury for its upcoming African cabaret on Feb. 25. It takes place at Macdonald-Cartier Secondary School at 6 p.m. and features African dishes, a fashion show, live music and a DJ dance party.
For more information, phone 705-626-6265 or email [email protected].
