This month we are celebrating and learning about the legacy of Black Canadians. For this Black History Month, many SD62 classrooms will focus on learning more about this part of history that many people don’t know much about.
Did you know that in 1858, the first group of black settlers to BC, arrived here on Vancouver Island? They left the oppressive racial conditions of San Francisco in hopes of a better life.
Sir James Douglas, the Governor of Vancouver Island and Chief Factor for the Hudson’s Bay Company at the time, welcomed the black community. He invited them to move to Vancouver Island, purchase land, vote and sit on juries, be protected by the law and, if they remained for at least seven years, become British Citizens.
While they faced discrimination, many pioneers became teachers, business owners, religious leaders and politicians, enriching life on Vancouver Island and BC.
Learn more!
- BC Black History Awareness Society is filled with facts, photos, audio and a learning centre full of resources.
- Salt Spring Archives has an index highlighting black settlers on the Gulf Islands.
- Digital Museum Canada featuring the exhibit: BC’s Black Pioneers: Their Industry and Character Influenced the Vision of Canada.
- CBC Kids explores 5 Canadian Stations of the Underground Railroad.
- Timeline- Black History takes us back to Africa.