SANKOFA SQUARE: RECLAIMING BLACK HISTORY AT TORONTO CITY HALL

BACKGROUND

Sankofa Square is the new name for the public space outside Toronto City Hall — a bold step toward reclaiming the Black history buried beneath modern Toronto. This site once stood at the heart of The Ward, a vibrant immigrant and Black community in the 19th century, where many formerly enslaved Africans built new lives.

The word "Sankofa" means "go back and get it" in the Akan language of Ghana — a call to recover what was lost or forgotten. Naming this space Sankofa Square is more than symbolic. It's a public act of memory and justice, honouring Black Canadians whose contributions were erased by urban renewal and systemic racism.

This square now stands as a gathering place for truth, protest, and cultural celebration — a living monument to the past and a promise to the future.

GRADES 3–5 (Social Studies, Heritage & Identity)

CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS:

1. What does the word "Sankofa" mean, and why was it chosen for this square?

2. Who lived in The Ward before Toronto City Hall was built?

3. Why is it important to remember the people who lived there?

4. How can a place help us remember history?

5. What makes Sankofa Square special for Black Canadians today?

PROJECT: My Community Space Poster

Design a poster showing a special place in your community and explain why it's important to the people who use it.

GRADES 6–8 (History, Geography, Civics)

CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS:

1. What was The Ward, and what happened to the community that lived there?

2. How does urban renewal sometimes erase the history of marginalized communities?

3. Why is it important to name public spaces after historical events or communities?

4. What does it mean to say Sankofa Square is a "living monument"?

5. How can public spaces be used for both celebration and protest?

PROJECT: Lost Communities Map

Create a digital map using Google Maps or Canva showing where The Ward was located and what communities existed there. Include photos and facts about the people who lived there.

GRADES 9–12 (History, Urban Studies, Social Justice)

CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS:

1. How does the renaming of this space address historical erasure and systemic racism in Toronto?

2. What does the concept of "Sankofa" teach us about reconciling with difficult histories?

3. Analyze the role of urban renewal in displacing Black and immigrant communities in Canadian cities.

4. How do public monuments and place names shape collective memory and identity?

5. What responsibility do cities have to acknowledge and commemorate the communities they displaced?

PROJECT: "Reclaiming The Ward" Documentary Pitch

Create a proposal for a short documentary exploring the history of The Ward, its displacement, and the significance of Sankofa Square. Include interview questions, historical images, and a script outline.

ONTARIO CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

ELEMENTARY (GRADES 3-5)

SOCIAL STUDIES:

• Grade 3 - Heritage and Identity: A1, A2, A3 (Understanding communities and contributions to Canadian identity)

• Grade 4 - People and Environments: B1, B2 (Understanding communities and how they change over time)

• Grade 5 - Government and Civic Engagement: A1, A2 (Understanding roles of citizens and government)

LANGUAGE ARTS:

• Oral Communication: 1.1-1.5 (Discussion and critical listening)

• Reading: 2.1-2.4 (Comprehension of informational texts)

• Writing: 3.1-3.8 (Writing for different purposes and audiences)

THE ARTS:

• Visual Arts - Creating and Presenting: D1, D2, D3 (Using art to communicate ideas about community and identity)

SECONDARY (GRADES 6-12)

HISTORY:

• Grade 7 - New France and British North America (1713-1800): A1, A2 (Understanding diverse communities)

• Grade 8 - Confederation and Nation-Building: A1, A2 (Understanding how Canada developed and who was included/excluded)

• Grade 10 - Canadian History since WWI (CHC2D): A1, A2, A3, B1, B2 (Communities: Local, National, and Global)

CIVICS AND CITIZENSHIP (GRADE 10 - CHV2O):

• Civic Awareness: A1, A2 (Understanding rights, responsibilities, and civic issues)

• Civic Engagement: B1, B2, B3 (Participating in civic life and understanding how change happens)

GEOGRAPHY:

• Grade 11 - Forces of Nature (CGF3M) / Travel and Tourism (CGG3O): Understanding human settlement patterns

• Grade 11/12 - Urban Patterns and Population (CGU3M): Analyzing urban development and planning

SOCIAL SCIENCES:

• Grade 11/12 - Equity and Social Justice (HSE4M): A1-A4, B1-B3, C1-C3 (Understanding power, equity, and advocacy)

• Grade 11/12 - World Cultures (HSC3M): Understanding cultural identity and expression

LAW:

• Grade 12 - Canadian and International Law (CLN4U): A1, A2 (Rights and freedoms, justice systems)

ENGLISH:

• All Grades - Oral Communication: 1.1-1.9 (Discussion, debate, presentation)

• All Grades - Reading and Literature Studies: 2.1-2.4 (Analyzing informational and persuasive texts)

• All Grades - Writing: 3.1-3.8 (Persuasive writing, research, media production)

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