Ottawa African Festival

The African Festival is brought to you by the Pan African Council of Canada. It was formed by Daniel Eji as a non-profit community organization to provide the corporate structure to sponsor the Festival. Actually,
the Council also has its own history. It arouse from the 2002 African Cup of Nations Soccer Tournament Daniel had organized. In 2004, the African Cup expanded to allow the full participation of all peoples of African descent and unite the African communities.

Then in 2005, the name “the Pan African Council of Canada” was given to edify not only one program (i.e. soccer tournaments) but also incorporating other programs and activities in the community. In addition to the Ottawa African Festival, the Council’s goal is to be involved in the following areas: in community assistance and outreach, support for development and socio economic integration, a Pan-African Youth Summer Camp, the Pan African Soccer League and building a database of skill competencies for potential government and private sector use.

Years ago, the coordinator of Ottawa’s first African Festival, started writing a business plan for the event. Some parts were completed five years ago. He returned to finalize the rest of the plan four years ago. Then, as a result of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, he had to leave Ottawa for a job first in Miami, USA, then Louisiana, USA. Upon his return three years ago, his work took him to Brampton, Ontario. He tried to find volunteers to help implement the business plan but he did not succeed. Again two years ago, another start was made. This time, there were many volunteers, but they were not able to get together. Finally, in 2008, a wonderful volunteering crew came together in August for introductions and a first get-together, and a month later, September 2008, the 2009 African Festival was being organized! Since then, meetings were held every second Saturday evening of each month.