Preserving Cultural Identity and Intergenerational Connection: Ubuntu in Action

Cultural identity is a wellspring of resilience and belonging. For Afro-Canadian seniors, the pressures to assimilate—whether through language, food, or daily practices—can threaten the preservation of traditions, stories, and wisdom that anchor families and communities. When cultural knowledge is lost, so too is a vital source of strength and pride.

Ubuntu’s Approach: Bridging Generations, Honouring Heritage

At Ubuntu Legacy Community Care, we believe elders are the culture bearers—guardians of tradition, memory, and lived experience. Our intergenerational programs are designed to honour and activate this role, creating spaces where learning and legacy flow both ways:

• Drumming & Storytelling: Seniors share music, oral history, and folklore, fostering cultural pride and collective memory.

• Tech Exchange: Youths teach seniors digital skills, while seniors impart life lessons and historical context, building mutual respect and practical capability.

• Mentorship: Seniors guide youths in navigating challenges, making choices, and building character rooted in cultural values.

  
  

Partnership Spotlight: Black Youth Farm Collective

This summer, Ubuntu partnered with the Black Youth Farm Collective, immersing our seniors and youths in hands-on gardening and food cultivation. Youths taught elders about sustainable agriculture and the satisfaction of harvesting their own crops—moving beyond the influence of social media and processed foods. In return, seniors shared their time, wisdom, and encouragement, nurturing the next generation to value patience, effort, and the rewards of shared labour.

Other Intergenerational Programs

• Emotional Intelligence: Led by Sonia Noble (Jamaica), this program empowers participants to understand and manage emotions for stronger relationships and self-awareness.

• Career Pathway in Healthcare: Led by Lorna King-Bobb (St. Vincent), inspiring youth to explore rewarding healthcare careers with mentorship from experienced professionals.

• Financial Literacy: Led by Evelyne Todd (Jamaica), providing practical skills and knowledge for financial empowerment across generations.

• Why Am I Like This: Led by Yvonne Reid (Jamaica), a reflective workshop exploring identity, behavior, and cultural influences.

• Food Demonstration, Preparation & Cleanliness (Dessert): Led by Olive Ramlackhan (Trinidad), celebrating culinary traditions and teaching food safety and preparation skills.

  
  

The Principles of Ubuntu

Our work is grounded in the principles of Ubuntu—“I am because we are.” By fostering intergenerational connection, we create a living bridge between past and future, ensuring that cultural identity remains a source of resilience, creativity, and hope for all.

We urge our community to value elders not only as recipients of care, but as vital contributors to the continuity and vibrancy of our collective story.

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