dart mouth –
When Cyetia Whynder moved to Nova Scotia from Ontario, she and her family struggled to find a Santa that looked just like them.
“Our intention was to take a family photo with Santa this year to put on my Christmas cards, so I thought I’d find a brown Santa but couldn’t find one,” Whynder said.
Despite asking, Whynder learned that there was no racialized Santa.
Taking matters into his own hands, Whynder hosted a Santa Claus photo op for community members at the Henry G. Bauld Center in Cherry Brook, NS
Recognizing the number of black communities in Nova Scotia, Whynder said representation like this is significant.
“It is important that we show our children that there is someone who is just like you who is also doing the same things because they look forward to it,” she said. “I know my daughter is definitely looking forward to seeing a brown Santa.”
Parents from the community also enthusiastically brought their children to take photos with Santa.
“It’s not often that you see a brown Santa, so I felt like having this experience is something you can have for a lifetime,” Paige Williams said.
Whynder said that since announcing this event, several members of the community have reached out to express their excitement and gratitude for hosting an event like this.
This is a two-day event that will also take place on Sunday from 8 am to 4 pm
