AfriCana Village & Museum @ The Waterfront

A Visionary Social Enterprise Celebrating 400+ Years of African-Canadian History & Culture

AfriCana Village & Museum is a proposed African-Canadian cultural heritage destination and museum located in the heart of Toronto’s Port Lands. This groundbreaking project celebrates the past, present, and future of African-Canadian contributions to the nation, while honouring the broader tapestry of Continental African and African Diaspora culture.

Imagine a “Chocolate City” on Toronto’s waterfront—a living village filled with Africentric art, music, cuisine, history, and commerce. A dynamic destination for people of all backgrounds who value Black excellence, innovation, and culture.

The Case for AfriCana Village & Museum

History is clear: African-Canadians are de facto one of the founding peoples of Canada.

In 1603, Mathieu Da Costa, a Black man of African-Portuguese descent, served as an interpreter for French merchant Pierre Dugua and explorer Samuel de Champlain. Da Costa spoke the language of the Mi'kmaq Nation and guided this party through lands that would become New France.

“How can one be a guide without having already explored the terrain?”

If we were to hire someone to explore Mars, would we not credit them as a discoverer? So why not Da Costa?

We believe that fairness and historical justice support our claim: African-Canadians are Founding Peoples of this country. Despite racist omissions in Eurocentric history books, Black scholars and historians continue to uncover the truth that has long been ignored.

Further, the presence of Black Empire Loyalists in the 1700s—many of whom settled in Ontario, including Toronto—reinforces the foundational role of African-Canadians, enslaved and free, in shaping this land.

Global Recognition & The International Decade

AfriCana Village & Museum aligns directly with the goals and values of the United Nations' International Decade for People of African Descent (2015–2024), proclaimed by UN General Assembly Resolution 68/237.

This global initiative seeks to:

• Celebrate the contributions of people of African descent worldwide
• Advance social justice and inclusion policies
• Eradicate racism and intolerance
• Promote human rights
• Assist in building prosperous communities, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals

This Decade provides a powerful, internationally supported framework for recognizing, empowering, and investing in people of African descent. AfriCana Village & Museum is a concrete response to that call—a living example of recognition, justice, and development in action.

It also builds on the foundation of the International Year for People of African Descent (2011), underscoring the vital role African descendants play in shaping our shared societies and the urgent need for tangible measures that ensure full inclusion and dignity.

Why AfriCana Village Matters

This project is more than a museum—it’s a movement.
AfriCana Village & Museum will:

• Be a world-class cultural destination for learning and celebration
• Showcase the journey from “Slaveships to Championships”
• Serve as a healing space for reflection and education
• Create jobs and economic opportunities for African-Canadians
• Empower a community still seeking justice, equity, and recognition

“We are the only group in Canada that has not received a formal apology for the crimes against humanity committed against us. Let’s move past apologies—let’s invest in real social justice and economic empowerment.”

A Call for Government and Community Partnership

We are requesting that the Federal Government of Canada grant 40+ acres of federally owned land in the Port Lands area of Toronto to an African-Canadian-led foundation or social enterprise. This land was once home to enslaved Black Empire Loyalists, and we believe both a moral and possible legal claim exists for its use in the development of AfriCana Village & Museum.

"Unless Canada reckons with its compounding moral debts to African-Canadians, Canada will never be whole."

Our proposal also includes the creation of the African-Canadian Healing & Development Fund—a vehicle for reinvestment into the community through cultural, social, and economic initiatives.

We are seeking support from:

• All three levels of government
• Private investors and ethical finance partners
• Philanthropic and impact-driven organizations

This is your opportunity to invest in a blended value project: one that delivers both social impact and a strong return on investment.

The Urgency of Now

A study by University of Toronto Professor David Hulchanski highlights the devastating economic and racial disparities in Toronto:

“Toronto is segregated by race and income. And the numbers are ugly.”
— Toronto Star, September 30, 2018
Read the article

It is time for Canada to step up and address this long neglected racial and economic injustice. AfriCana Village & Museum is part of the solution—a path toward dignity, opportunity, and pride for African-Canadians.

Be a Part of This Grand Vision

AfriCana Village & Museum will be a special place for all Canadians to discover the richness of the African-Canadian story and how it helped build this nation. It will transcend racial boundaries and unify us through shared understanding.

We aim to Entertain, Enlighten, Explore, Educate, and Inspire every visitor—while creating sustainable jobs and cultural capital for future generations.

We invite you—progressive people of goodwill and good heart—to join us.

Trevor David
Founder, Executive Director
AfriCana Village & Museum @ The Waterfront