Juanita Peters and Andre Fenton

Today I rise to recognize Dartmouth South's Juanita Peters. This past weekend, Juanita received the prestigious Portia White Prize from Arts Nova Scotia. The award recognizes an outstanding professional Nova Scotia artist who has attained mastery and recognition in their discipline and has made a significant contribution to the province's cultural life over a sustained career. She's also of Weymouth Falls, she would probably want me to say.

Juanita's list of achievements is long and varied: actor, journalist, executive director of the Africville Museum, and founding member of Women in Film and Television Atlantic are just a few of her contributions to this province. I'd also add her deep kindness, sense of stewardship, and community leadership to that list.

Juanita selected Andre Fenton, another accomplished writer, poet, mentor, and community member, as her protégé for the prize. Andre's work has already made huge waves with his writing, and I'm excited to watch his career flourish. Please join me in congratulating Juanita and Andre on their hard-earned recognition.