Africville's Daughter

Sheila Flint was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on the evening of October 29th, 1951. She was raised not far away in a part of Africville called Bigtown. She and her family enjoyed their life along the shores of Bedford Basin as anyone would – swimming, fishing, and building bonfires for cookouts. She enjoyed lobsters, crabs, mussels, and penny-winkles.

This was the life she knew until 1966 when the city of Halifax rushed in with their long-standing plan for 'urban renewal' that would remove their families from their homes. Those affected suffered in numerous ways, including trauma, deaths, and separations of families – including Sheila's immediate family.

Sheila and other children were bullied and treated unfairly by the school board because they were black. She endured pains that no girl should have to endure – but she has chosen to forgive and live a life of gratitude. After feeling lost in other people's thoughts and wants for her life, she has learned to choose her own destiny, not leaving it up to others to determine.

She now lives in Montreal and has chosen to master whatever comes her way and feel inspired by those who truly care about her.

In seeking out new challenges and enjoying her life, she's decided to write Africville's Daughter as her first project. This is an avenue by which she is freeing herself of all burdens and committing to achieving her goals. Sheila is moving past the bad memories to be able to live life and enjoy making new memories with her children and family that she has left.