Olive Senior’s New Novel Focuses on the Taino People of the Caribbean

 

Olive Senior in conversation with author, Gayle Gonsalves, at her book launch at Blackhurst Cultural Centre in Toronto

By Neil Armstrong

Award-winning author Olive Senior’s new book, admits in the acknowledgements of her new historical novel, “Paradise Once,” that it was not the story that she started to tell. It changed when the voices of the Taino people in a fictional village she created based on a Cuban village in the sixteenth century compelled her to tell their story.

 “Over many years, I tried out different scenarios and approaches, all of them leading to a dead end. It was as if I had to yield to voices that, once heard, held onto to me like Clinging Woman or the spirit Death in an Anansi story that once taken up can never be put down. The only release is to answer the call.”

Senior’s new novel is described as “a sweeping historical novel that brings to life the resiliency of the indigenous Taino people of the Caribbean, whose culture was virtually destroyed within two generations of their “discovery” by Christopher Columbus in 1492.”

Tapping into historical knowledge of an entire village, Caonao, being wiped out by Spanish forces in Cuba in 1513, Senior used her imagination to create this work of fiction and to locate the characters in the fictional village of Maima. 

At the full house launch of the book held at A Different Booklist in Toronto on Saturday, Senior said the novel embraces conversations about the place where the Old World and the New World met. She views it as a two-way street about these two groups of people who were radically different. Everything is based on duality which is typical of Taino art; there are two sides to everything.

The characters wrote themselves into the book and their names signify things that were important in Taino culture such as flora.

There is a strong connection between the Taino and the Maroons, something that Senior thinks should be discussed and explored further. Much of the historical records is from archeologists, however, at the same time there are gaps in the knowledge, she said. 

In writing the novel, Senior examined the cultures common to the areas from which they came and through her imagination created the story of four youthful survivors who escaped the massacre in 1513 — “three indigenous and one African runaway. They start off on separate perilous paths, not knowing they have been chosen by the cemies to carry out a sacred mission — to ensure the survival of the Sacred Bundle that will enable a Taino revival in future generations. But first, an epic spiritual battle must be played out.”

The book generated several questions from the audience and Senior underscored the importance of history. “We are living in history which is continuous; history is not dead; we are all living in that moment.”

She noted that it is not known if the indigenous people we know as the Taino actually called themselves that as very little was left behind in their own voices. 

“Paradise Once is a product of the imagination, as are the characters, but the history, background, and culture are based on what has been revealed by the work of scholars to whom I am deeply indebted. I have tried to be true to the knowledge I have gained, but creating a work of fiction gives me that extra privilege of imaginative re-creation. To see the Taino up to five hundred years ago not as artifacts but as modern people with a well-developed social and cultural life; people like us. Or so they told me,” writes Senior in the acknowledgements.

Published by the Brooklyn-based independent publisher, Akashic Books, the front flap of the book notes that: “In this love song to the Caribbean, Olive Senior authentically evokes the physical and spiritual worlds of its First Peoples and the survivors — indigenous and African — who will become the resistance fighters known in history as Cimarones or Maroons.”

Olive Senior signs a copy of her new book for Gayle Gonsalves

Senior is the author of twenty books of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children’s literature. She was the Poet Laureate of Jamaica from 2021 to 2024, and has received numerous awards and honours, including honorary doctorates from the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, and from York University in Canada. She splits her time between Toronto, Canada and Kingston, Jamaica.

 

Order of Ontario Recipient Thanks the Community

 

A reshoot of the original photo taken almost 30 years ago of some of the Up From The Roots Entertainment members. Left to right: Dwayne Morgan, Quisha Wint, Kevin White, Nicole Morgan and Kevin Ormsby. Kneeling is Dwayne Ashley holding the original photo.

By Neil Armstrong

 

Canadian spoken word artist, motivational speaker and event organizer Dwayne Morgan says he represents multiple communities of people and felt that it was important to share his investiture into the Order of Ontario with the community that has supported his dreams, vision and endeavours.

 

The 2023 appointee to the province’s highest civilian honour for his extraordinary contribution to the arts was celebrated at an investiture ceremony alongside 2024 appointees at the Royal Ontario Museum on June 16 led by Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario. 

 

“When Dwayne Morgan discovered a love of writing in high school, the “spoken-word” genre didn’t exist. As a Black teenager from Scarborough, few doors opened, and he launched “Up From The Roots Entertainment”, producing opportunities for other racialized artists. He lobbied the League of Canadian Poets to include performance poets, produced North America’s two largest spoken-word events and has performed globally. His words – and actions – inspire,” read the citation.

On June 18, he held a community reception at the North York Central Library at which he noted that his grandparents nurtured him in faith so he had to thank God for all of the blessings in his life.

 

Morgan, who is of Jamaican heritage, also thanked his mother who always supported him “even when she had no idea what on earth I was doing.” Included in his expressions of gratitude were his daughter, Egypt, and partner Claudia.

Many of the original members of Up From The Roots were present, including his sister Nicole Morgan, Dwayne Ashley, Quisha Wint, Kevin Ormsby and Kevin White. Those absent were Tamla Matthews, Lorraine Reid and Cheryl Joseph.

Tracing his trajectory, Morgan said they were all there from the beginning and supported his vision that few could see. “You kept me hungry and humble, and I appreciate your contributions to all of the early shows. Back in those days, no one wanted Black kids, especially those from Scarborough, in their establishments so I would produce our first shows in a Fit For Life gym with people working out in the background.” 

He advised those gathered that everything does not need to be perfect to start something. “Most times, you just need to start; start where you are with what you have, and notice how things start to work out around you. Life is too short to be wasting time, waiting for the right moment.” 

Noting that Debbie Thompson and Ginelle Skerritt believed in him when he only had one poem and he did not know that there was anything in him worth believing in, Morgan thanked them.

A text from Gretta Vosper, one of his elders, reminded him that he made the world different for many people who, without his influence “may never have found the best use of their strengths, or the softer ways to stand up against power with courage.” This prompted the 2013 Scarborough Walk of Fame inductee to thank himself.

“Few know how lonely it is to be a dreamer, to be committed to something that no one else sees, but is so clear in your head. You spend a great deal of time being misunderstood and judged, but the reality is that you’ll never be everything to everyone, though that doesn’t stop you from trying.” 

 

Morgan said when the Order of Ontario was first suggested to him, he did not know what it was, but instantly felt that he did not deserve it and that it was for other people. 

As he listened to the biographies of the other appointees at the ceremony, he sometimes wondered if it was a mistake that he was included but soon reminded himself of his achievements. 

Over the past 32 years, Morgan has written sixteen books, published an anthology of other writers, released eight albums, and two double albums, one poetry compilation album, one comedy album, one DVD, two short films, won two national championships, produced three photography exhibits, two TV shows, performed in eighteen countries, started two youth poetry slam leagues, produced hundreds of events and given thousands of performances.

“We belong in all of these places that we’ve convinced ourselves aren’t for us,” said the 2022 winner of the Toronto Arts Foundation’s Celebration of Cultural Life award.

He wants to see a documentary about his story, a Netflix special, and one of his feature film ideas made. 

“I have given all that I can. I believe in dying empty; taking everything that life has given me and giving it back to others and the world. There is nothing that I can take with me when I go, so I will continue to give all that I can for the benefit of others. This is how I was raised and who I am,” said Morgan who is the recipient of the African Canadian Achievement Award and the Harry Jerome Award for Excellence in the Arts.   

Kevin Ormsby, Nicole Morgan and Dwayne Ashley

Dwayne Morgan and Sophia Findlay

Dwayne Morgan and Kevin Ormsby

The other Jamaicans invested into the Order of Ontario were veteran journalist Royson James and retired military captain Kevin Junor.

 

 

High School Graduates Encouraged to Build Networks During Postsecondary Studies

 

Photo credit: Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Association.      High school graduates of Jamaican heritage who were the recipients of bursaries for postsecondary education

By Neil Armstrong

A past graduate of the Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations (AJAA) Graduates Program has advised the Class of 2025 that no path is linear and that they should use her as a resource and build networks.

Nicole Maylor, who was in the batch of 2012, was the guest speaker at the 32^nd annual graduates awards ceremony and luncheon held at the Jamaican Canadian Centre in Toronto. She reminded them that it is important to not only rely on community but also on themselves. 

Established in 1993, the graduates program celebrates the achievement of Ontario high school graduates of Jamaican descent and supports their pursuit of post-secondary education. Initially awarding a $500 bursary, 28 bursaries totalling over $34,000 were allocated this year.

“You must do what makes you happy, not for everyone around. Follow that little voice inside that you know is true. Take rest, breathe, be thankful for how far you’ve come, and prepare for the journey ahead. You’re all here today not by chance but by purpose,” said Maylor who is a trained lawyer working as a Canadian foreign service officer at Global Affairs Canada.

She charted the path of her education gaining an honours Bachelor degree in International Development and Globalization at the University of Ottawa. She also did the French immersion and cooperative education programs.

Although she lost focus on her schoolwork after her grandfather died a few weeks into her first year which placed her in a tailspin, her enthusiasm was restored when she met two girls from the West Indian Students Ensemble. 

“Thanks to them and the resilience I found within I went on to do many things during my time at uOttawa. I was the vice president of equity affairs for my student union. I travelled to Taiwan for a summer to learn with and from Indigenous communities there and the similarities of their plight to that of Canadian First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples.” She interned at a gender and justice organization in Cape Town, South Africa.

Acknowledging the support of family and friends through her “trials and tribulations,” Maylor said her ambition was restored and she was ready to take on the world once more.

She told the graduates that leaving a law firm gave her the opportunity to return to school to pursue a master’s degree. 

Photo credit: Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations   Nicole Taylor, lawyer and Canadian foreign service officer, was the keynote speaker at the awards ceremony

At age 30, she felt tired and burnt out. Friends sent her therapist recommendations, her family checked in, and her partner was always there ready to listen, but it was her parents’ support that changed everything. 

Always wanting to impress them, she was relieved when they told her to take time and rest. She contacted a therapist, took time off from work and included yoga, running, and journaling in her routine.

Speaking on behalf of the Class of 2025, Ayanna Simmonds said the event was a celebration of their education but also of their journey, sacrifice and the strength it took for them to get there.

“For us, as students of Jamaican descent, we carry something even more special — the strength of our heritage. We come from a lineage of trailblazers; people who had little but gave so much.

“When you think of the people who fought for freedom — leaders like Marcus Garvey and Miss Lou who used their voice to uplift generations — or modern icons like Usain Bolt or Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce who prove that the impossible is just another challenge. We are reminded that greatness runs through our veins.”

Simmonds said the journey would not always be easy and that life will test them and may hand them closed doors, unexpected detours or moments of doubt. 

“But here is what I want you to remember, you are more than ready. You’ve made it this far, not by accident but through dedication and determination and wherever you go next — university or college — you already have what it takes. Your mind is your passport. Keep it sharp, keep it curious and keep it open,” said Simmonds in keeping with the event’s theme, “Education – Passport to the Future.”

Wayne Swaby, AJAA’s president, told them that an investment in the youth is an investment in the future of the community.

“Research indicates that financial vulnerability disproportionately affects our youth, making them significantly more susceptible to negative financial outcomes such as high debt. By providing financial aid in the form of grants, we actively work to increase the likelihood of our students earning their degrees and minimizing income inequality that our people often face,” he said.

Photo credit: Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations (AJAA)     Executive officers of AJAA and some of the high school graduates who received bursaries   

Kurt Davis, consul-general of Jamaica at Toronto, encouraged the students to make and keep connections with people as they progress through life. 

“As you move past the secondary stage, I am encouraging you to step boldly into your destiny. The world is before you and you are equipped and empowered to face these challenges that the world is seeing and to help us to overcome them,” he told them.

 

 

Ontario Judge Urges New Lawyers to Make a Difference

Photo credit: Law Society of Ontario      Justice Aston Hall, Associate Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice, speaking at the Call to the Bar ceremony of the Law Society of Ontario

By Neil Armstrong

When the Law Society of Ontario bestowed on Aston Hall, Associate Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice, an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa (LLD), it described him as a true champion for diversity.

In the citation, the first Black judge to be appointed to that judicial position in 2021 was praised for “advancing justice and equality not only through his work as a lawyer and judge but also through his personal journey. His relentless efforts to break down systemic barriers have had a profound impact on the community, inspiring and empowering individuals to strive for a more inclusive and equitable society.”

His speech addressing new lawyers at the Call to the Bar ceremony at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto charted his journey and offered advice to them about the importance of their profession.

Acknowledging that he had support along the way from Black and mainstream communities and many allies, Justice Hall said he would not be where he is without his family, especially his wife, Linda.

He noted that there were some key people who had a significant influence on him such as Jamaica’s former prime minister Michael Manley, Ivy Coke who was like a mother to him in Canada, and his own grandmother, Estella Weir, who raised him.

“She modelled a kindness that showed the power of generosity, a determination that

showed the value of hard work and the fierce optimism in the nobility of community

and public service,” said Hall about Weir.

 

From Manley, he learnt that he must “walk through this world not on my knees but upright and forward, cloaked in the memory of our ancestors and stand up for justice and fairness always.”

Justice Hall said as a young boy in Kingston, Jamaica, he was fascinated with the law and was a fixture in the backrow of the Sutton Street courthouse watching the proceedings.

He became a Canadian resident in 1983 and pursued his law degree at Osgoode Hall; he was called to the Bar in 1995. Throughout his career as a lawyer, Hall specialized in criminal law until he was appointed a judge of the Ontario Court of Justice in 2011.

“The law is more than a career. It is a calling to advocate for those without a voice. A calling to uphold justice when it is threatened. A calling to guarantee that fairness is not just an abstract principle but a lived reality for Canadians,” he told the new lawyers.

 

“It’s a calling to protect democracy, it’s a calling to protect Canada, so that this

remains a place, where everyone regardless of race, gender identity, ethnic

background, sexual orientation, religious belief, physical abilities are included and

treated equally - so all our dreams and aspirations as well can become a reality.”

 

Sharing his experience as a Black lawyer in Ontario, Justice Hall said it has not always been very easy. At times, his presence had been questioned as to whether or not he was a

lawyer simply because of the colour of his skin.

 

“On several occasions, I have been mistaken in court as the interpreter, a

police officer, or the accused person. My strategy was to use these moments as

fuel to challenge the system, challenge stereotypes, demand respect and seek to

change the system so myself and others like me are treated as equally as any other

lawyer.”

 

He told the new lawyers that the privilege of being a lawyer is immense and that empathy is crucial in the practice of law. 

 

“You will be entrusted with people’s greatest hopes and deepest fears. You will see the

law is not just words in law books and statues, but as a force that can shape lives,

families, and entire communities.”

 

He said empathy allows them to understand and connect with their clients’ experiences and emotions, fostering trust and effective communication. “By demonstrating empathy,

you can better advocate on your clients’ behalf, ensuring their needs and concerns

are genuinely represented and addressed.”

 

Justice Hall urged them to seek mentorship and to ask questions because mentors can profoundly impact their careers.

 

“The practice of law has evolved significantly since my time as defence counsel,

especially post-COVID. With many new calls working remotely, or opening their own

practices early on in their careers, I urge you all to seek mentorship and ask

questions. Mentorship was pivotal in my growth as both counsel and a professional.

Mentors can profoundly impact your careers, guiding you through the intellectual

and ethical challenges you will encounter in your practices.”

In concluding his address, Justice Hall shared a few things he has learned over many years as a lawyer, a judge, and a leader in the Ontario Court of Justice — advice he hoped they would carry with them.

“Your integrity is your most valuable asset. Protect it. Your reputation will follow your entire career.

 

“Never stop learning. The law is dynamic and so should you. Embrace opportunities to grow.

 

“Success is not just about winning cases—it’s about the impact you have on the lives of others.

 

“Lift as you climb. No one makes it alone. Help those coming after you.

“Be Brave.”

In a call to action, he told the new lawyers that they were stepping into a profession that needs their energy, passion, and unwavering commitment to justice. 

 

“The road ahead will not always be easy, but it will be meaningful. Today, you take an oath—not just to the law, but to the ideals of fairness, impartiality, and justice. Those are serious responsibilities.”

 

Describing them as the next guardians of justice, Justice Hall urged the lawyers to “go forward with courage, with energy, with integrity, with determination, and make a difference. This is your time.”

From 2015 to 2017, Justice Hall was the local administrative judge for the Scarborough courthouse. During this time, he was the chairman of the Operations Committee. In this role he supported the creation of a specialized court for Indigenous people and developed a program for Black History Month to celebrate diversity and the contributions of African Canadians in the development of Canada.

In 2017, he was appointed regional senior judge for the Toronto Region and was instrumental in ensuring a vast cross section of justice partners were engaged in the planning and development of the New Toronto Courthouse project.

Since being appointed Associate Chief Justice, he has led the educational programming of Ontario’s provincial court judges. “He is deeply committed to the idea of strengthening judicial independence, impartiality and competency through education and professional development,” notes the Law Society.

Justice Hall also oversees the Court’s technology portfolio. In this role, he is focused on integrating modern technology into the court system which will improve access to justice for the citizens of Ontario. Furthermore, he works to enhance the awareness and understanding of the significant impacts that the rapidly changing technology landscape has on the legal system and the Bench.

The Ontario judge continues to be an active leader and a member of numerous judicial committees that have advanced change and promoted diversity in Ontario's courts. He has a deep and unflagging commitment to working with justice partners as well as a wide range of diverse communities to address systemic challenges in the criminal justice system.

Justice Hall has spent his career advocating for the marginalized communities within society and feels it is a great honour to be able to give a voice to the voiceless.

His intellect, sound judgment and understanding of the law and justice system have earned him the respect of the legal profession, the judiciary and the Ontario public.

The Law Society awards honorary doctorates each year to distinguished individuals in recognition of outstanding achievements in service to the legal professions, the rule of law and the cause of justice.

 

 

 

Emancipation Day Underground Freedom Train Ride Changes Course

 

Photo contributed.     Patricia Brereton will be the symbolic conductor of the Emancipation Day Underground Freedom Train Ride on July 31, 2025, starting at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and ending at Union Station

 The annual Emancipation Day Underground Freedom Train Ride has added some new elements this year — two cities, Vaughan and Toronto, meet — when the nonstop Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) subway train travels from Vaughan Metropolitan Centre to Union Station.

At the same time this is happening, a train in Ottawa will pull out of a subway station there with residents of the Greater Ottawa Region. 

Commuters will gather at the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre on Thursday, July 31, at 10:45 p.m. sharp and travel to Union Station where the experience will end at 12:25 a.m. on August 1, welcoming Emancipation Day. 

This marks the 12^th anniversary of this important and symbolic travel experience organized by Blackhurst Cultural Centre in collaboration with the Toronto Transit Commission and other partnering organizations. The journey commemorates the historic abolition of slavery in the British Empire and represents the Underground Railroad’s role in Canadian history. The theme this year is “Ability in Action” calling on Canadians to reflect on their abilities and the power to make change. Emancipation itself is an ability in action. 

In keeping with the role that Harriett Tubman played as the conductor of the Underground Railroad, every year a committed community worker is selected to be the symbolic conductor. 

This year it is Patricia Brereton, a respected entrepreneur, educator, and community mentor whose journey from humble beginnings in Bridgetown, Barbados to business success in Canada exemplifies resilience, vision, and purpose.

Born in 1939 as the sixth of nine children, her early life was marked by curiosity, discipline, and an entrepreneurial spirit. As a child, she embraced outdoor sports and literature, and began her first foray into business by selling handmade crafts door-to-door. This early introduction to commerce sparked a lifelong interest in entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency.

After completing her education at Modern High School, Brereton began her professional life as a high school teacher in Barbados.

In 1964, driven by a desire to broaden her horizons, Brereton immigrated to Toronto, Canada as part of the Government of Canada’s Domestic Scheme, which brought thousands of Caribbean women to work in Canadian households. After completing her domestic service commitment, she transitioned into the corporate world, excelling in sales and training roles.

Despite a stable career in corporate Canada, she returned to school, earning a diploma in nutrition from Centennial College which paved the way for her to work in the healthcare sector — ultimately, leading her to establish her own home for special needs care.

In a bold move, Brereton purchased a care facility in Sarnia, Ontario using her life savings—an ambitious decision that marked the beginning of a 22-year entrepreneurial journey. Confronting and overcoming racial and gender-based challenges, she built a thriving business rooted in compassion, professionalism, and integrity.

She was featured in the CTV documentary, The West Indian Domestic Scheme, which spotlighted the positive contributions of Caribbean women to Canadian society. 

Photo contributed.   Karen Murray, System Superintendent, Equity, of the Toronto District School Board with responsibility for the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement will receive the 2025 Emancipation Freedom Train Ride Award

Karen Murray, System Superintendent, Equity, of the Toronto District School Board with responsibility for the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement, will be honoured with the 2025 Emancipation Freedom Train Ride Awardfor community service. 

Murray is committed to equity, anti-oppression and anti-racism leadership, system transformational change, and the success of Black, Indigenous and often underrepresented students.

She has held several progressive leadership roles at the TDSB and is the recipient of many awards such as the Ontario Principal Council Difference Maker (2022), 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women (2020), and York University’s Teacher of Excellence (2006).

Other highlights include the Ngoma Drummers, musicians Eddie Bullen, Charmie Deller and an all-star cast of musicians. 

A snapshot of the crowd gathered for a previous Emancipation Day Underground Freedom Train Ride