The African Nova Scotian History Challenges are back for 2025-2026!

The African Nova Scotian History Challenges and Awards of Excellence recognize students whose submissions best exemplify the contributions of African Nova Scotians to the history, heritage, and culture of Nova Scotia.

  • Eligibility: Open to all students from grades primary through 12 within Nova Scotia.

  • Age Groups: Contests are categorized by grade levels. Participants must enter in the appropriate category that corresponds to their current grade.

Finished projects can be submitted in-person or online. Each project must also be registered online.

The DBDLI Awards for Excellence in African Nova Scotian History are presented to students whose submissions to the History Challenges best exemplify the contributions African Nova Scotians have made to the history, heritage, and culture of our province and our country.

Awards totaling $3,000, medals, and prizes will be presented to winning recipients at an awards ceremony in the spring.

Check out this year’s contest brochure for all the rules and details on the Challenges!

Project entries will be accepted from November 12, 2025 to February 6, 2026.

Pictured above: A winning class Challenges participants

  • Awards vary by category, including medals, monetary prizes, prize packs, pizza parties, and certificates.

  • Honourable Mentions receive certificates and exhibition of their work.

Check out the Challenges Slideshow for easy classroom engagement

Project Submission Form

Once your project – physical or digital – is finished and ready to submit, please complete an online submission form to enter your project into the History Challenges. Physical projects must follow additional guidelines in the brochure.

Click the button below to submit your entry for The 2026 African Nova Scotian History Challenges.

Inquiries & Contact

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact: historychallenges@dbdli.ca

Challenge Categories

The Challenges offer students a unique opportunity to explore and showcase their insights into African Nova Scotian history in innovative ways. Participation in these challenges is not only about learning history, but also about developing skills and confidence for their future educational paths. Check out the contest categories below!

SCOPE: Group (2-6 members), or Individual submissions.
FORMAT: Video (3-5 Minutes in length)
DETAILS: You are the reporting team sent to cover breaking news. Produce and submit a video news report, 3 to 5 minutes long, about one of the following significant historical events. Be sure to cover the basic reporter’s questions of who, what, where, when, and why. Why is the event significant? What is the aftermath? If working in a group, include interviews and eye-witness accounts with your report.

  • Viola Desmond is arrested after refusing to give up her seat in the whites-only section of a movie theatre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. She is thrown in jail for the night and fined for defrauding the government of a one-cent amusement tax.
  • City officials threaten to have Eddie Carvery arrested when he sets up his protest camp at Africville. Despite the threat, he begins the longest continuous protest in Canadian history.
  • Residents of East Preston, North Preston, Cherry Brook, and Lake Loon are fighting to receive clear titles to their land. This issue dates back to the 18th century, when Black settlers arrived in Nova Scotia and were not given legal title to their land. Angela Simmonds and other community members work together to change this 200-year-old historical injustice.
  • Calvin Ruck just found out that his son was denied service at a barber shop in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The barber says he refuses to cut Black people’s hair. Calvin has called out the barber for racial discrimination and is calling on the help of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission to right this wrong.

SCOPE: Open to Class, Group (2-6 members), or Individual submissions.
FORMAT: Vlog, Board Game, Card Game, or Scavenger Hunt.
DETAILS: Choose a Black community or settlement in Nova Scotia (map and list in the brochure) and develop a captivating travel game or create an informative vlog (video blog) to serve as a visitor’s guide. Your project should effectively showcase the community’s unique history, incorporating:

  • Historical Facts: Uncover and present key historical details about the community.
  • Landmarks: Highlight notable landmarks and their significance.
  • Prominent Figures: Feature profiles of important individuals from the community’s past and present.
  • Additional Attractions: Include other points of interest that would appeal to visitors.

Whether through an interactive game or a vlog, your goal is to make your project both fun and engaging.

SCOPE: Open to Group (2-6 members), or Individual submissions.
FORMAT: Short Essay or Video
DETAILS: African Nova Scotians have made important contributions to the political, social, and cultural life of our communities, our province, and our country. A new generation of movers and shakers have started to rise up and take the torch from those who were saying “Black Lives Matter” many decades before. Select one of the following Notable Nova Scotians and choose an individual who is continuing their work today. Write a short essay or record a video telling us how the two are similar and what they are doing to make a difference in the world today.

Here’s another option!
Nominate an African Nova Scotian, past or present, that you think lives up to the title of “Notable Nova Scotian.” Write a one-page essay sharing what they have done to contribute to their community, their province, or their country? Why are their achievements important?

SCOPE: Open to Group (2-6 members), or Individual submissions.
FORMAT: Essay, Speech Recording, or Video Presentation.
DETAILS: This challenge celebrates the achievements of African Nova Scotians in the fields of sports, arts, and beyond. You are invited to honour a Black athlete, artist, or significant community figure – either a historical figure or someone from the present day.

  • Choose a Luminary: Select an African Nova Scotian whose contributions and achievements in their field have been noteworthy.
  • Create an Award Tribute: Write an essay, prepare a speech, or create a video that would serve as an acceptance speech or tribute to this individual.
  • Highlight Their Journey: Discuss their major accomplishments, the challenges they overcame, and their journey to success.
  • Inspiring Others: Explain how this person has inspired others, including possibly yourself, and their impact on the community or field.

SCOPE: Open to Group (2-6 members), or Individual submissions.
FORMAT:

  1. Required Written Component: All entries must include a written component, such as a diary entry, a poem, or song lyrics.
  2. Audio or Video Component: Alongside the written work, you have the option of including an audio recording or video performance of the poem or song.

DETAILS: Craft a diary entry, poem, or song from the perspective of a Black Loyalist or Black Refugee in Nova Scotia. This creative work should delve into their personal experiences and emotions, exploring several key aspects such as: Where did you come from? Where did you settle? What are your fears, hopes and aspirations? How did you survive? How is your life different since settling in Nova Scotia?

A picture is worth a thousand words
Alternatively, illustrate a picture depicting a day in the life of a Black Loyalist or a Black Refugee in Nova Scotia.

SCOPE: Open to Class, Group (2-6 members), or Individual submissions.
FORMAT: Open!
DETAILS: People of African descent remember and honour Africa through their language, art, music, dance, and fashions. Their influence has helped define and shape culture in North America. Submit a poem, song, illustration, dance, spoken word piece, or any other example of culture that has been influenced by people of African descent. All original entries accepted. Recorded entries must be no longer than five minutes.

SCOPE: Individual submissions only.
FORMAT: Physical or digital comic booklet submission (see brochure for PDF of the comic booklet)
DETAILS: This exciting new challenge invites you to celebrate and express your African Nova Scotian identity and heritage in a fun comic book format titled Colouring Our Stories: Me and My ANS Communities.

Through your booklet, you’ll get to:

Highlight Significant Figures: Learn about important African Nova Scotian figures and imagine conversations you’d have with them.

Map Your ANS Community Roots: Chart your family’s rich history with a map, exploring places and people that have shaped your heritage.

Show Your Community Through Art: Capture the heart of your community by drawing the landmarks, people, and traditions that make it special.

Envision a Future Shaped by ANS Influence: Imagine and write about a future influenced by African Nova Scotian culture, creativity, and leadership

We encourage students and teachers to immerse themselves in the African Nova Scotian History Challenges.  Share your projects on social media and tag us @dbdli wherever you post!

We can’t wait to see your 2026 project entries!