Still Here: Preserving Our Legacy is more than a history book—it is an act of remembrance, reclamation, and resilience. Through the combined talents of historian Mary McCarthy, poet Thandiwe McCarthy, and photographer Gary Weekes, this remarkable volume documents over two centuries of Black life in New Brunswick while celebrating the families who continue to shape the province today. Blending rigorous historical research, deeply personal storytelling, evocative poetry, and stunning photography, the book creates an immersive portrait of a community whose stories have too often been overlooked.
The book opens with a comprehensive overview of Black New Brunswick history, tracing the experiences of Black Loyalists, enslaved people, Underground Railroad refugees, and generations of community builders whose contributions helped shape the province. Rather than focusing solely on hardship, the authors present a fuller narrative—one that acknowledges injustice while celebrating perseverance, achievement, entrepreneurship, and joy. This balanced perspective makes Still Here both educational and profoundly hopeful.
What distinguishes Still Here from many historical works is its multidisciplinary approach. Mary McCarthy’s meticulous research provides the historical foundation, while Thandiwe McCarthy’s powerful poetry gives emotional voice to generations whose experiences cannot be captured through dates and documents alone. Gary Weekes’ photography beautifully complements both, capturing contemporary Black families with warmth, dignity, and authenticity. Together, the three mediums reinforce one another, reminding readers that history is not simply found in archives—it lives in people, families, and communities.
The second half of the book profiles fifteen Black New Brunswick families, weaving genealogy, oral history, and personal reflection into narratives that feel both intimate and universal. These stories demonstrate that preserving heritage is not simply about honouring the past but also about strengthening future generations. As the authors note, the project was designed to inspire families to preserve their own histories before they are lost, making the book as much a call to action as it is a historical record.
In our Recipe section, you’ll find Baked Mac and Cheese, a recipe from Julie Holmes, a member of one of the families featured in Still Here. “I am the wife of Tim Holmes and thought I would share the recipe (altered a bit) of my mother’s, the late Janet Richards. Daughter of the late Percival (Percy) Richards. She would make this during family gatherings and special occasions. Always remembered as everyone LOVED her cooking and we always shared great laughs and good conversations around a table while eating her Mac & cheese (she always topped hers with bread crumbs). The love and connection shared were unforgettable.”
The publication of Still Here arrives at a meaningful moment. By the time this review appears, communities across New Brunswick will have concluded this year’s Emancipation Celebration, an annual festival recognizing the abolition of slavery in the British Empire and celebrating Black culture, history, and achievement. The festival reinforces many of the themes explored throughout the book: remembrance, education, community, and the importance of passing stories from one generation to the next. Still Here serves as a lasting companion to those celebrations, extending their message long after the events have ended. Still Here: Emancipation Celebration — Fredericton 2026
Beautifully produced and thoughtfully assembled, Still Here: Preserving Our Legacy succeeds as history, art, and community archive all at once. It fills significant gaps in our understanding of Black New Brunswick while inviting readers of every background to reflect on their own family histories and the stories worth preserving. This is an essential addition to Canadian historical literature and a powerful reminder that preserving our collective past is everyone’s responsibility.
I chose this book because of my search of Black historical recipes while touring Nova Scotia. Very limited information drove my curiosity to the Goose Lane Editions’ office where I was introduced to Still Here. The impact of this book and the Celebration has had far reaching interest from not only New Brunswick but other provinces and countries. You can purchase this memorable book at Still Here – Goose Lane Editions or win a copy in our Giveaway section.
Still Here deserves a place in public libraries, classrooms, family bookshelves, and the hands of anyone interested in the rich and enduring history of Black communities in Canada.
Contents and images used with permission by Goose Lane Editions. Still Here – Goose Lane Editions