OUR ROOTS

History & Heritage

Explore the life stories, history makers, and pivotal moments that have shaped Black history in British Columbia — from the arrival of 800 free Blacks from San Francisco in 1858 to the community leaders and innovators of today.

Why They Came and the Pioneer Committee

On 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 of their hard work, vote, live without fear, and live with equality under the law.
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An Event of National Historic Significance

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 located at 7180 East Saanich Road.

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Influencers, History Makers & “The Firsts

In 1858, nearly 800 free Blacks left the oppressive racial conditions of San Francisco for a new life on Vancouver Island. Explore the biographies, personal accounts, and articles about pioneers and 20th century history makers and influencers in BC — organized by Creative Artists, Athletes, Business, Community Leaders, Educators, Women, Politicians, and more.
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Community Alliance Projects

We lead unique projects, partnering with allied communities

BC Black Pioneers – Influencing the Vision of Canada

Designed and developed by BCBHAS with investment from Digital Museums Canada. Partnering with Digital Museums Canada provided 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.

Diversity in Early Black Communities

Since 1858, a diversity of identities, cultural experiences and histories made up the community we generally refer to as Black. This pathway was developed in partnership with the Royal BC Museum and Archives Learning Team, to explore this diversity using archival resources to READ articles, WATCH videos, LISTEN to recordings, and LOOK at images. The TEACH section has Primary Sources Activity for grades 5 & up – providing a framework for learning about and teaching history that are woven throughout Social Studies in the BC school curriculum.

Hope Meets Action: Echoes Through the Black Continuum

Written, told and designed by Black voices, this BC exhibition reclaims and retells our complex history across the centuries into the present. The exhibition was open at Royal BC Museum until March 2022. In 2023, in partnership with the Royal BC Museum and Archives Learning Team, this online “Pathway” was developed. In this Pathway learners can READ articles, WATCH videos, and LOOK at images.

The African Ancestry Project

Our Stories, Our Voices: 160 participants brought together. Their stories, woven together, give a glimpse of the vast diversity of people of African ancestry in this Province.

No. 2 Construction Battalion Legacy in BC and Beyond

Our research found 12 soldiers who enlisted in BC. Ten served with the Battalion overseas – four were born in BC; the others had moved here before the war from other parts of Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, and Europe. We are honoured to present the twelve brave Black men from British Columbia, who enlisted in No. 2 Construction Battalion, CEF.

Ross Bay Cemetery Gravesite Restoration Project

BCBHAS undertook this project with funding from Heritage BC to preserve some grave markers of Black settlers and restore them as much as possible to their original condition. The scope of the work was PRESERVATION – to maintain and stabilize the existing form, material, and integrity of the gravesites and CONSERVATION – to retain the original memorials, grave markers, tombstones and plot curbing.
Geography

Spaces, Places & Landscape

Discover the places across British Columbia connected to Black history from Victoria’s earliest settlements to communities throughout the province, including south Vancouver Island, Nanaimo and Salt Spring Island, the Lower Mainland, and northern BC.

We respect and acknowledge that this land was, is, and will always be, First Nations territories.  Explore their languages, arts, heritage, and territories.    

First Peoples’ Map of BC https://maps.fpcc.ca/

Places of Interest Guide
hand on map pointing, camera and sunglasses sit on map

Be Part of the Story

Join our community of members, volunteers, and supporters who are helping to preserve and share Black history across British Columbia.

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