February is Black History Month
Black history month is to celebrate the stories, experience, achievements and history of Black Canadians. This history is not only from the recent times but to prehistoric days that present us with artifacts dating as far back as 60,000 years ago, of course it is said Africa is the cradle for all humankind.
A brief history
Canada was not free of slavery, in fact in 1807 the Abolition of Slave Trade act was passed, it restricted the trade of slaves but did not free them or stop the practice of owning a slave, a small step but slavery was still prevalent for several more decades. In 1629 a young Madagascar child was brought to Canada and he was the first recorded slave, he was sold to a Québec resident, was educated and baptized Oliver LeJeune, he died a free man in 1654. July 9, 1793 the Act Against Slavery was set in motion. This new act would not free existing slaves but prevented the acquisition of new slaves and would free the children of female slaves at the age of 25. This act stood until 1833 when the British Empire abolished slavery in Canada. 1831 is when the phrase "underground railroad" is coined by a Kentucky slave owner when slave Tice Davids escapes to Ohio. The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses. It enabled Black Americans to escape to Free States, Canada, and on occasion, Mexico and overseas. It is said that anywhere from 30,000 to 100,000 slaves escaped enslavement with a majority to Canada.
Anderson Ruffin Abbott was the first black Canadian to be a licensed physician. Abbott was born in Toronto in 1837 to prominent business man Wilson Ruffin Abbott and Ellen (Toyer) Abbott. Wilson Abbott owned 48 properties mostly in Toronto by 1871 and he was active in politics. His father's wealth and success and Abbott's intellect allowed him the opportunity for an outstanding education in both public and private institutions and finally graduating from Toronto School of Medicine in 1857. Studying under another black physician for 4 years Abbott was then licensed to practice from the Medical Board of Upper Canada in 1861. Between June of 1863 and August 1865 Abbott served as a civilian surgeon under contract during the American civil war. Stationed in Washington D.C he first served at the Contraband Hospital and then Freedman Hospital. Abbott was popular in Washington Society; in fact he was one of the few who stood vigil over the dying President Abraham Lincoln in April 1865. Abbott received a number of commendations during this time and was also presented with a shawl Abraham Lincoln had worn to his first inauguration by Mary Todd Lincoln. He returned to Canada in 1866. Abbott was not only a physician but an author editor and more. Throughout the years Abbott often found success in all he did. In 1913, Anderson Ruffin Abbott died in the home of his son-in-law Frederick Langdon Hubbard, son of black municipal reformer William Peyton Hubbard. He was 76 years old.
Last week, on February 19, 2009 our Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean greeted President Barack Obama, first African-American U.S president, to Canada, marking a milestone in black history. Truly a triumphant time to watch history unfold.
To learn more about black history please visit Chapters.Indigo, a Buy Canadian First member, for these books:
The Kids Book of Black Canadian History by Rosemary Sadlier
Black Canadians: History, Experiences, Social Conditions by Joseph Mensah
Photo credits: Buxtom Museum, Governor General site, Chapters.Indigo
