Afro-Canadian presence in Ottawa stretches back generations to form a rich and evolving cornerstone of the nation’s capital. Today, census data reveals one of Canada’s most diverse Black populations, with vibrant communities tracing their roots to Somalia, Haiti, Jamaica, Congo, Nigeria, and far beyond. What stands out just as clearly is the city’s institutional pride in – and tangible support of – these communities, which is a dynamic that sharply contrasts the lived realities many Black immigrants are grappling with south of the Canadian border (but I digress).
Haitian heritage, in particular, represents one of the most influential diasporic identities within Ottawa’s Black cultural mosaic. From language and cuisine to music and spiritual traditions, Haiti’s imprint is felt throughout the city’s neighborhoods, festivals, and community gatherings. Canadians with Haitian ancestry have shaped Ottawa’s broader cultural identity in ways both visible and deeply rooted.
Meet Dr. Sarah Onyango
During my time in the capital, I had the distinct pleasure of engaging with one of the most compelling figures in Ottawa’s Afro-Canadian history, Dr. Sarah Onyango. A true fount of knowledge, Dr. Onyango is far more than a historian. She is a community builder, media trailblazer, cultural archivist, and tireless advocate. Her life’s work has centered on ensuring Black voices are seen, heard, and valued.
Born in Nairobi, Kenya, Dr. Onyango arrived in Canada as a child when her diplomat father was posted to the country. Her academic journey led to degrees in translation and linguistics. And Ottawa ultimately became the place where she dedicated her career to amplifying Afro-Canadian narratives.
Dr. Onyango’s impact on Afro-Canadian community
For more than three decades, Dr. Onyango has profoundly shaped how Black stories are told, understood, and celebrated in the Canadian capital. As host and producer of influential radio and television programs, including Black on Black, Afrika Revisited, and Fontonfrom, she created vital media platforms at a time when mainstream outlets routinely overlooked Black audiences and perspectives. Dr. Onyango’s programs not only reflected the lived experiences of local Black communities, but also connected them to global diasporic conversations.
In her role as communications and public relations officer for Black History Ottawa, Dr. Onyango is instrumental in preserving and elevating the historical contributions of Black Canadians, from early community pioneers to Afro-Canadian veterans whose service and sacrifices have long gone unrecognized. Her impact has been acknowledged through prestigious honors, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) and the Ontario Black History Society’s Mathieu da Costa Award.
Dr. Onyango has also championed initiatives that bring long-overdue visibility to Afro-Canadian military history through collaborations with the Legacy Voices Institute, a collective centered on preserving stories and knowledge, and other organizations. She urges Canadians to broaden their understanding of the veterans who have helped shape and defend the nation.
Thanks to leaders like Dr. Sarah Onyango, Black history in Ottaw is not relegated to footnotes. Instead, it is preserved, amplified, and positioned exactly where it belongs – at the heart of Canada’s heritage story.
