Places to Learn About Canadian Black History
By: Sydnee Walcott Canadian Black history dates back to the start of the transatlantic settlement. Historically, a majority of Black people did not arrive in Canada from their ancestral homeland in Africa. Many Black migrants decided to immigrate to Canada to escape enslavement and segregation in the United States. However, under British rule, Canada was also responsible for enslaving Black people. In 1629, Olivier Le Jeune became the first African enslaved person to be transferred directly to Canada. This was a new beginning for Le Jeune, and he made efforts to adapt to a new country independently. Le Jeune was brought to Quebec and died as a free man. A majority of enslaved Black Canadians worked as domestic workers instead of out on the fields. They resided in or around diverse and urban cities like Montreal, Quebec City, Detroit, Halifax or St. John. After the end of the American Revolution, there was an influx of enslaved people brought to Canada on behalf of Loyalists. These enslaved people had to adapt to a new country, economy, and political culture. The Loyalists were quick to welcome 2,000 enslaved Black people with them as they immigrated to the country. Many Loyalists along with abolitionists were passionate to challenge the passive attitude of slavery. Its acceptance was a concern that had an impact on equal rights and democratic values. In 1793, Upper Canada was recognized as the first colony to officially enact equal laws to abolish enslavement while Lower Canada had faced two unsuccessful attempts. There were controversial judicial decisions and discussions centered around freeing enslaved runaways. In the 1800s, the first three decades were focused on limiting the expansion of enslavement. This initiative led to the decline of new enslaved Black people arriving. As a result, this led enslavers to sell enslaved people to the States and West Indies. On August 26, 1833, the British Parliament seeked to prevent enslavement and enacted a law to abolish and reform enslavement in all colonies within British North America. This law meant that enslavement was deemed as wrongful, immoral, and unjust. It would further help shape the way economies would function in the future. Almost a year later on August 1, 1834, the law officially came into effect. During the 1800s, the number of runaway enslaved African Americans increased, with many using secret tunnels within the Underground Railroad. Almost 30,000 people escaped to Canada at the initial start of the American Civil War. In 1865, as the end of enslavement approached, thousands of African Americans opted to return to the States where they would resume their life in America to embark on a new journey. African Americans and West Indians were encouraged to immigrate to Canada for job prospects as Canada’s rail industry began to expand and thrive. The rail industry opened up new avenues for African Americans to work in the industrial industry. During the latter quarter of the 1800s, cities like Montreal, Winnipeg, and Toronto saw a tremendous increase in Black rail workers, along with their families. This provided valuable jobs in the skills industry and practical hands on experience for many. In the present, Black Canadians retained cultural characteristics and created a distinct community with their unique styles of worship, music, dialect, family norms, and group traditions in response to how life was for them in Canada. With the lengthy history Black people have endured in Canada, many have made efforts to preserve their history through a variety of places and organizations. Outlined are a few places and organizations across Ontario and Canada who continue to showcase and preserve Black history within the country: St. Catharines, Ontario St. Catharines is a city associated with the Underground Railroad, a form of collective action embodying a resistance movement that helped enslaved African Americans escape to Canada. Harriet Tubman, a former enslaved person, helped hundreds of enslaved African Americans escape to Canada where they would settle safely in the final stop of the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad acted as a safe haven for those who wished to escape enslavement. Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History Formerly named as Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site, the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History is a historical museum located in Dresden, Ontario. This museum sets itself apart from the rest because it commemorates Reverend Josiah Henson and his efforts to free himself from enslavement in the United States. He also escaped enslavement with his wife and four children through the Underground Railroad. He later became an avid advocate for Canada’s Black community by sharing his personal experiences and struggles being enslaved. The museum showcases 19th century artifacts, literature, a rare early edition of Hendon’s autobiography, and a signed portrait of Queen Victoria presented to Henson by herself. Africville Museum Nova Scotia offers a rich Black history, as a majority of formerly enslaved African Americans settled in the province’s capital and established the Africville community. Dating back to 1848, Africville was viewed as a successful and close-knit community. It included local businesses, a school, post office, and the Seaview United Baptist Church. These institutions became a focal point in Africville’s spiritual, social, and employment sector. In the 1960s, the land was claimed by the City of Halifax who wanted to advance initiatives that focused on building industry and infrastructure in the area. This decision led Africville citizens to relocate to community housing projects. In 2010, the Halifax Council officially apologized to Africville’s residents and helped build a museum to replicate the community’s church. Located in Halifax, the museum represents the Africville society and shares the story of the community. Black Loyalist Heritage Society Created in 1989, the goal of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society was to promote the inclusion of Black Loyalists into Canada’s political culture. It aimed to foster the unique heritage of the prosperous Black Loyalist community. Located in Nova Scotia, known as the largest free Black settlement, the organization works towards highlighting the impactful contributions on behalf of the Black Loyalists in how they helped shape