Various Presenters | 30 seats available

Thursdays, 2:30pm - 4:00pm

March 5 – April 9  (6 sessions)

This course will explore the separate peoples who have over the course of time made the Annapolis Valley what it is today. Each session will be led by a different speaker qualified to describe the challenges met and the contributions made by the distinctive communities that made the Valley their home.

Subjects and Presenters

Mi'kmaw : Gerald Gloade

Gerald R. Gloade is an artist and educator who is currently the Program Development Officer for the Mi'kmawey Debert Project based in Truro, Nova Scotia. He started his career working as a Graphic Designer for the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources’ Communications and Education Branch more than 30 years ago. The focus of his work with the Province moved from forestry education and graphic art to sharing his culture and history in the landscape and environment of Mi’kma'ki with audiences of all ages.

Acadian : Sally Ross

Recently recognized this year with an honorary degree from University St. Anne, Sally Ross is a writer, French translator and researcher specializing in the history and culture of the Acadians of Nova Scotia. She is a member of the Commission de l’Odyssée acadienne, devoted to the commemoration of the Deportation. As of 2013, Dr. Ross is semi-retired and living in rural Nova Scotia.

African-Canadian : Karolyn Smardz Frost

Karolyn Smardz Frost is an award-winning author, historian, archaeologist and educator committed to sharing the lost narratives of our human past. An adjunct Professor at Acadia and Dalhousie. Karolyn's work focuses on the rich heritage of African-descended people in Canada, highlighting the many contributions they have made to our province, and our nation.

Planters/Loyalists : Glenn Ells/Gordon Haliburton

Glenn Ells was born into the proud farming community of Sheffield Mills where he represents the seventh generation. In 1985 he started writing a newspaper column called On the Farm, and continued his weekly contributions for 29 years. Once he got the writing thing down, Glenn went on to formulate two novels, Starting Over and its sequel, Second Chance. While his first novel was primarily designed to explain family history to his 13 grandchildren, he obviously enjoyed reinventing the past. The latest project of this energetic 85-year-old is a compilation of his popular columns from The Advertiser. This new book offers readers a good deal of insight into rural life in Kings County, beginning in Glenn’s childhood.

Gordon Haliburton was born of Planter stock in Wolfville and educated here. He taught in Africa for many years,after qualifying (Ph.D.) in African History. However, he retired to Wolfville in 1977 and became involved in local heritage societies and researched and wrote about local families and communities. This led to the publication of such books as Horton Point; A History of Avonport.

Dutch Settlers : Dr. Gerry Gerrits

Gerry Gerrits taught European history at Acadia University from 1980 to 2008. He has given talks about the Dutch community in Nova Scotia to six different groups over the years and has been interviewed twice by the CBC on the same topic. 

Newcomers : Judith Tod, Tahina Family

Rev. Judith Tod is a Baptist minister and the Wolfville Inter-Church Refugee Coordinator. She will introduce the Tahina family, the first Syrian refugee family to re-locate in Wolfville, who will share their experiences of arriving and adapting to a new life in Nova Scotia.