Students and staff of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Academy in Woodbridge did an extraordinary job participating in the “The Fabric of Our Being” quilt project to celebrate the International Decade for People of African Descent.
Community partner Nadine Williams guided the project, and much of the project was inspired by her poem, “The Fabric of Our Being” (found below).
Each class worked together to create two or three tiles, which were added to the larger quilt. The tiles showcased:
- ABC: Amazing Black Canadians
- Mother Tongue: celebrating languages in the class
- The Fabric of Our Being: how students connected to the poem Fabric of Our Being
- The theme of the decade: Recognition, Development, Justice
“I am immensely proud of our students for their imaginative and thoughtful contributions to the ‘Fabric of Our Being’ quilt project. Their creativity and connection to the themes exemplify the essence of our school community,” said St. Gregory the Great principal Didi Cammalleri, beaming with pride.
The finished quilt was so beautiful that it was unveiled at York Regional Police headquarters as part of their Black History Month ceremony on Saturday, February 10, 2024. Nadine Williams’ poetry was also featured at the ceremony.
The quilt will soon be returning to St. Gregory the Great CA, where it will be displayed in the school’s front entrance for all to see the community’s recognition of the many contributions of Black people.
Principal Cammalleri created a presentation that provides more details, which you can find by clicking here.
The Fabric of Our Being
Tightly woven into Canada’s fabric
Generations strong
Yes we’ve been here all along
Certainly not of our own free will
But in search of freedom’s song
Not newcomers on the fringes as some would have
us believe
Look closer to the center if you please
You will see us living the Canadian dream
Once a nightmare to our ancestral stream
Crossing many rivers valleys and streams
We’ve come a mighty long way
Though it’s been a hard road to travel
We will not unravel
But will revel in the beauty and multicultural fabric
of our home and native land
Generations strong
You best believe
We’ve been here all along
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