The legend of Bob Marley played a prominent role during Black History Month celebrations in Iqaluit on Feb. 14.

SA国际影视传媒淗e is considered one of the pioneers of the genre called reggae,SA国际影视传媒� said Stephanie Bernard, president of the Nunavut Black History Society, as she introduced a film and performance at the Astro Hill Theatre.

SA国际影视传媒淥ver the course of his career, Bob Marley became known as a Rastafarian icon, and he infused his music with a sense of spirituality. He is also considered a global symbol of Jamaican music, culture and identity, and was controversial in his outspoken support for democratic social reform,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Shortly thereafter, Bernard had the audience do a call and response of SA国际影视传媒淛ahSA国际影视传媒� and SA国际影视传媒淩astafari.SA国际影视传媒� SA国际影视传媒淛ahSA国际影视传媒� meaning SA国际影视传媒淕odSA国际影视传媒� in the Rastafarian religion.

She then introduced Francisca Mandeya-Tshuma, SA国际影视传媒渟omeone who is very special to our community,SA国际影视传媒� and the recipient of the 2023 Black History Award given by the Nunavut Black History Society.

After playing some songs, including MarleySA国际影视传媒檚 SA国际影视传媒極ne LoveSA国际影视传媒� on the mbira SA国际影视传媒� a traditional African instrument made of a wooden soundboard with metal tines SA国际影视传媒� Mandeya-Tshuma spoke about love, fear and the power of positive thinking.

SA国际影视传媒淲e let society, and the labels that it gives us SA国际影视传媒� race, gender, religion, class SA国际影视传媒� we are so stuck on our differences, and scientists have proved we are 99.99 per cent the same. But because of fear, we focus on the 0.01 per cent,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淪o Bob Marley, he clearly chose love, and he came from a binary black and white backgroundSA国际影视传媒� Fear does not stay near where there is love. So love, for me, can change the world. Individuals all have a chance to love and to change the world.SA国际影视传媒�

For the remainder of Black History Month celebrations, the society in Iqaluit has a full-slate planned:

-Feb. 20-March 12: Black History Month Film Festival (movie every Thursday, 6:30-7 p.m. at the Astro Theatre)

-Feb. 24: Anti-racism workshop with Francisca Mandeya-Tshuma, Astro Theatre, 2 p.m.

-Feb. 26-29: Black History Month school tour with Dr. Amadou Ba (Iqaluit schools only)

-Feb. 27: Colonialism SA国际影视传媒� African Heroes and Resistance with Dr. Amadou Ba, in-person lecture at the Astro-Theatre, 7 p.m.

-Mar. 2: Nunavut Carnival Launch Party, Edwin Yearwood live in concert, Storehouse, 8 p.m.

Mar. 16-31: Nunavut Carnival (times and dates to be announced); costume-making workshops, costume parade, celebration finale

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a little bit late for us this year,SA国际影视传媒� concluded Bernard, SA国际影视传媒渂ut itSA国际影视传媒檚 going to be fun!SA国际影视传媒�