The first black Canadians arrived during the slave trade in the 17th century, when Dutch Explorers landed in South Africa and fought brutal wars with Northern African nations. African people were kidnapped and shipped to North America where they were auctioned off to wealthy plantation owners who needed workers. They often spent long, grueling hours working in the fields and doing household chores. Some escaped to Canada, the free land. When the American president Abraham Lincoln declared the United States a free country, many Africans stayed, as this was the only country they could call home.
Some of the first evidence of Blacks on Canadian Soil is in 1787, when Thomas Brownspriggs, a black man, was granted 3000 acres of land in Tracadie, Nova Scotia. This land was used for his family and over 70 other black families. The people who lived on this land were still enslaved by white men. This site is currently being documented for information. Many of the slaves' descendants still live in the area.
The first blacks arrived in B.C. in 1858 on Vancouver Island. The first police force on the British Colony of Vancouver Island was an all Black force called "The African Rifles".
Some of the other black Canadians were from the Canadian slave trade. Many of these belonged to the first interracial couples in Canada, particularly in Quebec. Evidence of these days is visible in the Underground Railroad, stories, letters and memories of the people involved.
The first Black Canadian was a young Madagascaran boy, bought by the age of 7 as a slave. His frst owner was a British Commander, David Kirke, but was later sold to the head clerk of the colony New France. When it was handed back over to the French, the clerk, Olivier Le Tardiff, left the country, in fear that his collaboration with the British would upset French Authorities. The native African boy was sold to a local, and was later educated at a school founded by a preist. The priest, Father Le Jeune, baptised the boy as Oliver Le Jeune. He died in 1654, believed by then to be a free man.
This doesn't mean however, that racism and segregation aren't still existent in Canada today. What steps has the Canadian Government taken to prevent this? In 1971, the Canadian Government proposed a new multicultural policy that would encourage people of all races to lead an active role in society. What did this mean for Canadian Blacks? It meant better treatment and an equality for their people.
Some notable African Canadians. Many Black Canadians let their ethnicity influence their creative works. One such artist is Yvon Villarceaux, from Ottawa. We asked him what Black Culture meant to him, and this was his response:
"Black culture in Canada is from yesterday and today. Talking about Black culture is to never forget the first black population that had disapeared in the province of Quebec by mixed mariages after the old time of slavery there . It is the underground railways in Ontario. The old merchants families in British Columbia and most particular the Blacks in Nova Scotia."Black Culture for me relies on Black individual that had persisted to survive from persecussion, hate and hardship and still can love other races and colors without feeling guilty when other Blacks are accusing them of being too soft . . . Being Black in Canada is to be able to forget and forgive, to fight racism within ourself before accusing other of being racist. Is to stop complaining and work toward something for humanity. To work and "canalize" one energy toward something positive."
- Yvon Villarceaux
Canadian Artist>
Another example of an African Canadian artist is Charmaine Lurch. She lets her heritage influence the feeling and settings of her artwork. She has been educated at various Universities and Colleges, including the Ontario College of Art and the School of Visual Arts in New York, among others.
Another earlier example of this is a singer named Portia White. She used her unique singing ability to interpret Black Hymns, besides other singing opportunities. She made her first appearances in Canada and New York in the 1940's. Her last public appearance was the public World Baptist Convention in Ottawa in July of 1967. Portia died in 1968 of cancer. Portia White's Father was only the second black to graduate from Acadia University. (Pictures of Ms. White kindly provided by Dr. Jay White
Today some African
Canadians who are in the film business include Stephen Williams and Clement
Virgo.
These are two of the now many Black directors
in the Canadian Film industry. Clement Virgo's Film credits include "Rude",
"The Great Black North", and "The Planet of Junior Brown". "The Planet
of Junior Brown" starred such actors as Sara Polley, Margot Kidder and
Clark Johnson.
Another African Canadian
who has a made a commitment to society is Senator Calvin Ruck. Ruck, 73,
is only the third African Canadian named to the senate. He is a veteran
and author among other things. He has fought strongly for Blacks to be
included regular units during World War 1, and helped to launch aplaque
commenorating the sacrifice of 605 African Canadian men who made up the
No. 2 Construction Battalion of World War 1. Calvin Ruck is a dedicated
Community leader and developer.
There are many orgnizations
around who have an active role in society. Here are some links to organiztions
who promote black heritage and culture in Canada.
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