As Canada celebrates Black History Month in February, Discover Estevan will be profiling local people of colour on what Black History Month means to them.

Originally from the island of Mauritius, Michael Pelletier moved to Canada 14 years ago. After spending six years in Brandon, Man., he moved to Estevan to work in the oil fields. He's now in a new role as a Settlement Advisor with Southeast Newcomer Services, which he started in December.

"Black History Month...it means a lot because we are now kind of recognizing black history and black people about what they have done for the country and what they have been doing for the country for a long period of time," Pelletier said.

Pelletier also points out that it's important to think about black history for the entire year, not just for one month.

"For us, it's the whole year that some people have been battling for their right and their legacy so it's not just only for one month, we have gone through this every single day in our lives," he said. But especially this month, we feel glad and we feel proud because we have a month that people recognize us now."

Stop RacismArt work from grade 5 students line the halls at Southeast Newcomer Services in Estevan, promoting messages of inclusion. (Photo credit: Nolan Kowal)

Although it's a national initiative, Pelletier hopes more can be done in the southeast to mark the occasion.

"It would be nice to have a couple of events," he said. "We try our best to do events and seminars to make people living in Estevan aware of where we come from and who we are exactly. It's going good."

Black History Month originated in the United States and is also now celebrated in Canada every February. Pelletier encourages everyone to learn more about black history, including the darker chapters.

"There's a lot to learn about. There's a lot of things that might make you cry about black history," Pelletier said. "It's definitely recommended to read about it and to get aware. It's disgusting what black people have been through."

Overall, Pelletier said the whole conversation is about black people integrating into Canadian society and becoming part of the Canadian fabric.

"It's important to recognize what we have been doing and what we have achieved ourselves (as black people)," he said. "It's not that we are apart from other people. We would like to integrate, we would like to be a part of the country, a part of the Canadian family."

"And even world-wise, we want to be a part of it, we don't want to be left apart, because for our generations that are coming, they should have a better future than what our ancestors have been through."