SANKOFA DAY: OPENING CEREMONY
SATURDAY, AUGUST 23 | 10 AM - 11 PM
Hosted by Alicia “ACE” West, the Opening Ceremony sets the tone for the day with a series of acknowledgements and messages, including:
Indigenous Welcome
The ceremony begins with an Indigenous ceremonial welcome by Knowledge Keeper & Elder Daniel Secord from the Mississauga Nation (Nishinaabek), of the Three Fires Confederacy People, followed by an Indigenous cultural performance.
African Ancestral Acknowledgements
The Ghanaian-Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO) delivers the African Ancestral Acknowledgements, featuring welcome messages from Emmanuel Duodu, President of GCAO, followed by a Ghanaian cultural performance.
Community & City Remarks
The ceremony will also feature remarks from key partners, city officials, and other dignitaries, including:
Vice Chair Simon Wong and Treasurer Samantha Summers, Sankofa Square Board of Management
Kemba Byam, Manager, City of Toronto’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit
Ashley McKenzie-Barnes, Creative Director and Founder, D.PE Agency, who will provide an overview of the new Sankofa Square brand.