NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA MUSEUM OF ART AND HISTORY
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In celebration of Black History Month, the Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH) hosts Rita Deverell as guest speaker on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
The month of February was officially recognized as Black History Month by the Parliament of Canada in 1995, following a motion by the first black Canadian elected to Parliament, the Honorable Jean Augustine. Events and activities are held to celebrate the contribution that black Canadians have made to shaping Canada and to encourage knowledge and appreciation of black Canadian history.
Rita Deverell, social activist, television broadcaster, scholar and member of the Order of Canada, will deliver her talk entitled "The Future of the Mariposa Idea." She will discuss what minorities such as black people can do with their histories of being excluded, misrepresented or endangered by mainstream society, and how we all can move forward with a transformed history.
Deverell has had a distinguished career in broadcasting with the CBC, as one of the co- founders of Vision TV and as news director for Aboriginal People's Network (APTN).
As an educator she was a professor of journalism at the University of Regina and she received an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Human Letters from Lakehead University in Orillia.
As a writer she has authored or contributed to eight books and to many journal articles.
Deverell and her partner Rex operate Deverell Productions, producing dramas and theatrical works. She is currently with the educational faculty at Lakehead University in Orillia, offering "Teaching in a Multicultural Setting."
All are welcome. Donations to OMAH are appreciated.
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