Black Heritage Caucus

A co-governed national initiative of the National Trust for Canada and the Black Legacy Collective,

The Black Heritage Caucus is a national initiative convened to strengthen the preservation, interpretation, and recognition of Black heritage across Canada. The Caucus provides a professional and collaborative space for Black heritage practitioners, scholars, community historians, institutions, youth, and allies to gather, exchange knowledge, and advance the conservation of Black historic places, stories, and communities in Canada.

 

Origins

The Black Heritage Caucus grew out of a collaboration between heritage practitioner Graham Nickerson, the Edmonton Heritage Council, and the National Trust for Canada. Together, these partners recognized the need for a sustained national forum where Black heritage practitioners could come together to share knowledge, shape practice, and advance the preservation of Black historic places across Canada.

This collaboration led to the inaugural Black Heritage Roundtable in Montreal in November 2024, which brought practitioners from across the country into a first national conversation about Black heritage in Canada. Building on the momentum of that convening, the Black Heritage Caucus was formalized as a standing initiative – ensuring a continuing platform for Black heritage leadership, practice, and partnership nationally.

As the Caucus has evolved, its governance has been reshaped to reflect principles of shared leadership and anti-colonial heritage practice. The Caucus is now co-governed by the National Trust for Canada and the Black Legacy Collective through a Black-majority Steering Committee.

 

Purpose

The Black Heritage Caucus supports both partner organizations in strengthening the representation and preservation of Black heritage within their programs, advocacy, and national initiatives – including the National Trust’s annual conference. Its work centres on:

• Identifying key opportunities and challenges affecting the conservation and interpretation of Black heritage across Canada;
• Sharing best practices, research, and strategies among practitioners working in different provinces, regions, and heritage disciplines;
• Supporting intergenerational learning and training opportunities for Black communities, including pathways for young people entering the heritage field;
• Fostering partnerships with organizations, cultural centres, and community leaders working to preserve and celebrate Black heritage across Canada;
• Promoting respectful collaboration and knowledge exchange with other heritage groups, including the Indigenous Heritage Circle;
• Encouraging greater recognition of Black history and heritage within public narratives, educational systems, and heritage conservation practice in Canada.
• Membership and Convening

The Caucus brings together Black heritage practitioners, scholars, community leaders, and volunteers, along with non-Black allies committed to advancing the preservation and celebration of Black heritage in Canada. Membership is designed to reflect a diversity of provinces, disciplines, and professional experiences, with an intentional commitment to intergenerational participation — including emerging professionals and youth engaged in heritage work.

The Caucus convenes annually in person at the National Trust Conference (with CAHP & Indigenous Heritage Circle), with additional virtual meetings held quarterly or as needed throughout the year. Each annual gathering includes opportunities to explore and highlight local Black histories in the conference host region through site visits, learning sessions, and community engagement.

 

Coordination and Governance

The Black Heritage Caucus is governed by a Black Heritage Caucus Steering Committee grounded in principles of shared leadership, ethical space, and anti-colonial heritage practice. The Steering Committee is co-chaired by a representative of the National Trust for Canada and a designated leader of the Black Legacy Collective.

The Committee’s membership is Black-majority and reflects a diversity of provinces, disciplines, and generations, and includes equal voting representation from both partner organizations. Governance authority rests with the Steering Committee, which is accountable first to the Black heritage practitioners, community historians, institutions, and communities whose work and knowledge the Caucus exists to support.

The National Trust for Canada provides secretariat support to the Steering Committee, including staff coordination, meeting logistics, and support for the annual in-person convening at the National Trust Conference (with CAHP & IHC). This secretariat function is administrative and supportive; it does not carry governance authority.

 

Get Involved

The Black Heritage Caucus welcomes connection with practitioners, institutions, community historians, and youth interested in advancing Black heritage work across Canada. To learn more about upcoming convenings or to express interest in participating, please contact the National Trust for Canada.

 

For any questions or to register your interest in participating, please contact Shani Eribo at seribo@nationaltrustcanada.ca