A Message from Ettie Rutherford,
Ontario Provincial Representative
Congress of Black Women of Canada,
for
Black
History
Month
2007
Congress
of Black Women of Canada Salutes Black History Month
Every year the
coming of February marks the celebration of Black History Month in Canada and
beyond. The recognition of Black history, which celebrates the advancements of
Civil rights leaders, scholars, educators, scientists, inventors, actors,
musicians, and athletes, started out as Negro History Week in 1926 by Carter
G. Woodson in the United States of America. This later evolved into what is
now known as Black History Month.
Quite
often the question is asked as to why the need for Black History Month
celebrations? The need exists because there is so much that is not known that
needs celebrating and also because this recognition highlights positive
documented contributions instead of the negative images that are usually
attributed to the Black community. Another reason for celebrating Black
History Month, especially during this year, is the fact that on March 25, 2007
Britain and the Commonwealth will mark the bicentennial anniversary of the
abolition of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and remind everyone that although
our history books do not reflect this, Canada was engaged in the enslavement
of Blacks for more than three centuries.
So for many
reasons it is apropos that we bring awareness to everyone about the
contributions and long history of Blacks in this country.
Mathieu
Da Costa, a free Black man who accompanied French explores Pierre Du Gua De
Monts and Samuel de Champlain is recorded to have arrived in Canada as far
back as 1604.
During the
existence of slavery in Canada from 1628 to 1793 the records also show the
arrival of the first known slave, Olivier LeJeune, in 1628.Another facet of
Black history in Canada is also validated through the history of The
Underground Railroad, an organized system, led by Harriet Tubman and by a
network of people who assisted fugitive slaves as they fled to Canada from the
United States of America. In 1833 when the British Imperial Act abolished
slavery throughout the Empire, approximately 20,000 Black people escaped to
Canada between 1800 and 1865 by way of the Underground Railroad. It is also
noteworthy that in Nova Scotia over 3000 Blacks migrated to that area during
the 1780s as a result of slaves escaping from the American Revolution. These
Blacks were known as the Black Empire Loyalists.
During the War
of 1812, the Coloured Corps that was founded by Richard Pierpont, a Black
Loyalist fought in the Battle of Queenston Heights.
In other areas the records show that Blacks migrated
to Vancouver Island from San Francisco and from Oklahoma to Alberta
where they established Amber Valley, a thriving community in northern Alberta.
The stories in Alberta are legendary about John Ware who was born a slave on a
cotton plantation in South Carolina, but by the early 1900s had become one of
the most prominent ranchers in the Canadian West.
Many have felt
that all of this history and more have been erased from Canadian history and
so
In order to have
Black History Month validated as an integral part of Canadian History the
former Member of Parliament Jean Augustine put forth a Motion, which was
passed by Cabinet in the House of Commons, to have Black History Month
officially recognized. At the present time there are many municipalities,
which, in recognition of our Black heritage, annually make proclamations about
Black History Month,
In Ontario the
first Black History Month celebration was organized in 1950 by Stanley
Grizzle, a railroad car porter who was the first Black person to be appointed
as a Citizen Court Judge, and by Kay Livingstone of the Canadian Negro
Women’s Club. Mrs. Livingstone later went on, in 1973, to found the Congress
of Black Women of Canada, a national organization, which supports Black women
and their families
Black
History celebrations continue nationally so that the spotlight is not only on
African - Americans but also on Canadian legends such as our present Governor
General the Honourable Michael Jeanne, Oscar Peterson, Donavan Bailey, Zanana
Akande, Dionne Brand, Jackie Richardson, Lincoln Alexander, Alvin Curling and
a host of others who have contributed in various ways to the fabric of
Canadian society.
In the spirit of
positive community building, and in collaboration with world-wide effort to
mark 2007 as the 200th anniversary of Britain’s abolition of
trafficking of human beings between Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and the
Americas let us all honour Black History month so that we will be able to
reflect on a part of Canadian reality that has been neglected, as well, we
will be able t provide opportunities for Black youth to develop a sense of
identity and a positive self-concept by gaining a better understanding of
their own heritage.
In Durham one of the highlights of Black History Month will be the launching of the Oshawa-Whitby chapter of the Congress of Black Women of Canada. This is a National organization which is dedicated to improving the lives of Black women and their families in the areas of Human Rights, Education, Housing, Pensions, Child Development, Racism, Sexism and Health. The inaugural meeting will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2007 at 7: 00 p.m. Further information can be had from Ettie Rutherford at 905-665 3086 or eruth97@sympatico.ca.