April 25th,1858 the Steamship Commodore sailed into Victoria harbour from San Francisco. On board were 35 Black people, the Pioneer Committee, to meet with Governor Douglas. They were free men and women seeking a place where they could raise their families, educate their children, practise their professions, enjoy the results […]
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A Community Story: Partnering with Digital Museums Canada provides a unique opportunity to further imprint the stories of these pioneers in a lasting way that reaches beyond the boundaries of our provincial neighborhoods and re-affirms the significance of these pioneers in Canadian history for all Canadians. BC Black History Awareness […]
Learn about these places of interest that commemorate and serve as a remembrance of BC’s Black Pioneers.
She has fostered the values of equality and acceptance; is recognized as a civic leader and pioneer in the development of British Columbia’s music industry. She is celebrated for her extensive career as a jazz singer; one of the first black artists in North America to host a national, weekly […]
the men and women who served, and continue to serve in times of war, conflict and peace. Remembrance Day 2021: On Thursday, November 11th a wreath will be laid on behalf of BC Black History Awareness Society at the Saanich Municipal Hall Cenotaph, 770 Vernon Avenue. The Saanich Remembrance Day […]
Canada’s 2021 Theme is Woman Making History Now … and we remember and celebrate those women who blazed the trail for us to do so … “If we stand tall it is because we stand on the shoulders of many ancestors.” African proverb Sherry Edmunds-Flett, an historian and one of […]
In this month we honour our past, and recognize and celebrate the strengths of our community. Explore-Learn-Discover-Share August 1st is Emancipation Day in Canada – officially! On March 24, 2021 MPs in the House of Commons voted unanimously to designate August 1 as Emancipation Day across Canada. Check our story […]
Artist, Dentist, Judge, Juror, Policemen, Politician, Teacher, Television Host. In acknowledging these “Firsts”, we can reflect on the advice Gibbs received, before deciding to migrate to Vancouver Island, from Julia Griffith, the English comrade of abolitionist Frederick Douglass: “What! Discouraged? Go do some great thing.” Here are some “firsts” for […]
In February 1860 he was the 1st Black to sit as a juror in B.C. Peter Lester moved with his wife Nancy and five children to San Francisco from Philadelphia in 1850, where he was appalled to find that slavery was still a fact of life in the free state […]
“Gentleman Umpire" inducted into the Victoria Sports Hall of Fame in 1998, Umpires Association Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Canadian Baseball Sports Hall of Fame in 2017, founding member of the BC Black History Awareness Society. Doug Hudlin worked for the City of Victoria but his love was […]
Suffragist, abolitionist, devoted daughter and wife, mother. This is her story: dedicating her life to uplifting the less fortunate, an advocate for women’s rights and education, overcoming life’s obstacles and tragedies. Virginia – New York – Oregon (1815-1860)Sydna was born circa 1815 in Virginia. Her parents are John and Charlotte […]
Born into slavery, as a child she taught herself to read; travelled from Missouri with her parents, was a pioneer on Salt Spring Island, became a legend, living to the age of 106. Sylvia Estes was born in Clay County, Missouri to parents who were slaves. Her parents and their […]
offered an extraordinary variety of biscuits, cookies, crackers; and the family also operated a tea and coffee “saloon”. Moses Rowe Smith arrived in Victoria in 1858 from London, Ontario. He was joined in 1866 by his wife Sarah Anne and daughter Selina Frances. He had been engaged in the bakery […]
Be re-inspired by these 19th and 20th century women, and illustrative imagery and information about 21st century women as “connectors”. Find out about the history of Women’s History Month and other Canadian and International recognitions. 19th Century Wives, Mothers, and Daughters Nancy and Lucretia Alexander: On July 1, 1858 the […]
August 1 is important in Canadian history because the Slavery Abolition Act affected the lives of those enslaved and the lives of their descendants. “Public Auction November 3, 1760. To be sold a boy and girl, about 11 years old.” 30 years later on September 7, 1790 a Halifax newspaper […]
1st teacher on Salt Spring Island circa 1859 to 1875; one of only 16 public school teachers in the Province at that time. John Craven Jones was the 2nd oldest of three brothers who came to Salt Spring Island in 1859. John's older brother is William Allen who settled in […]
The 1st professional Black artist, working and living in the Pacific North West, British Columbia and California. In addition to his oil paintings. Brown was also a cartographer and lithographer. The Royal B.C. Museum holds the greatest number of and most significant of Brown's Canadian works. In March 2018 the […]
Gilbert single-handedly captured a German Officer and 24 of his men at Vimy Ridge. Robert Burt Gilbert was born on July 31, 1887 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Both parents, James Gilbert & Matilda Rogers were born in the U.S. Records show that in 1916 he lived at 846 Fisgard St. with […]
The arrival of the Black Pioneers to B.C. in 1858 was designated as a National Historic Event by the Government of Canada on September 22, 1997. This plaque was commissioned by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board and was unveiled on February 20, 2000 at the Shady Creek United Church […]
“Vancouver Citizen of the Century” - Credited with saving at least 29 lives from drowning, including adults and children, as well as teaching three generations of Vancouver children to swim; in 1986 the Vancouver Historical Society formally declared Joe as “Vancouver Citizen of the Century”. Seraphim Joseph Fortes was most […]
Renowned Classical Pianist & Music Educator. “If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline and endurance. They get a beautiful heart.” Shinichi Suzuki Ruby Sneed was born Ruby Evelyn Proctor on April 30, 1917 in Edmonton Alberta. Her self-educated […]
First black woman athlete to represent Canada in an International competition and the first person from a visible minority to be hired as a teacher by the Vancouver School Board. Born and raised in Vancouver, Barbara grew up in the Grandview neighborhood with her sister and three brothers; she attended […]
The first black person to be named to the B.C. Supreme Court; is recognized as having made significant contributions to judicial and legal education contributing to the development of the law in British Columbia and Canada. Career: 1966 Graduated Peter A. Allard School of Law, UBC. 1974 He was appointed […]
Fastest man on earth … The Harry Jerome International Track Classic is held annually in honour of Harry Jerome, he has inspired a generation of Canadians and has a legacy of athletic excellence and commitment to youth and sport. Harry Jerome: To mark Canada's 150th birthday, 150 noteworthy British Columbian's […]
Politician, feminist, writer, educator, lecturer and mother, Rosemary Brown has contributed much to B.C. and Canada including being the 1st black woman elected to a Canadian Provincial Legislature (B.C) and running for the leadership of the Federal NDP Party in 1975. Rosemary Brown has contributed much to her adopted country […]
renowned singer, song-writer, recipient of the Order of B.C. in 2009, founder of "Step-Ahead" program for youth which was performed in more than 20 schools in Canada ... Leon Bibb, born February 7, 1922 in Louisville, Kentucky, is a former New Yorker who has been living in Vancouver, B. C., […]
On April 11, 1930 George Paris Carter turned 70. Colonist April 11, 1930, page 23: The article included the picture of George and reads: “When Mr. George Paris Carter woke up this morning at his house at 149 St. Lawrence Street, his first thought on gazing out at his sunlit […]