This MLA-elect is the first Black woman to be elected to the Alberta Legislature
On Monday, Rhiannon Hoyle was elected to the riding of Edmonton-South, making her the first Black woman elected to the Alberta Legislature.
"This is such a surreal moment. It's an absolute dream," Hoyle said Monday night after her victory.
"I ran municipally and now a couple years later we're here as the MLA elect. I'm also proud to be representing the first Black and mixed-race and African woman from Trinidad and Tobago. And it's just really wonderful."
Hoyle has lived in Edmonton-South for 18 years.
While she's thrilled about the victory, she wonders why it's taken so long to see a Black woman in the legislative assembly.
"I'm the first and I'm the only one. Black folks have been here for 200 years so at the same time it shows we have a lot more to do and a lot more growth, we need more than just me."
It's a sentiment echoed by other Black Canadians.
Deborah Dobbins is the executive director of Shiloh Centre for Multicultural Roots.
The non-profit organization has a mandate of sharing the experiences of Black western Canadians through art, education, and social justice.
She says it's important to remember that Black people have been in Alberta since the province was founded.
"We helped develop Alberta and the Prairie Provinces when it was first developed in 1905, 6, 7, and we’ve been here ever since. It's important that we are respected, that we are accepted as being Albertans, not immigrants. We are Albertans who were here when Alberta first became a province," she told CTV News Edmonton on Tuesday.
"We should be part of the governing body to move forward, because our voice matters just as much as everyone else's."
She says it's important for other Black Albertans to see themselves represented in government.
"It's important that young people today see themselves in the leadership, see themselves in places of power and authority, and that they too can rise."
It's something Hoyle says is important to her in her new role.
"I'm one perspective but at the same time, for really for anyone of colour, boys, girls, anyone in between. This is huge and I will do my best to lead well and lead for others. I'm here to kick the door open and bring others like me into this role."
And while she's excited to represent the Black community in Alberta, Hoyle says she's for all Albertans.
"I'm excited to galvanize the community, make sure we hold this government accountable," she said.
"Better health care, better education, better jobs. I come here with business experience. I'm gonna help small business. Help families and seniors. Edmonton-South and Edmonton has a strong leader in me and I'm ready to do this."
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jessica Robb and Miriam Valdes-Carletti
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.