Slavery in Canada: Importance and Impact

• Black history goes beyond just slavery, it is important because it still shapes Canada today.
• Many Canadians are unaware of the extent of slavery's influence in the country.
• Discussing slavery can be harmful to Black students, so sensitivity is needed
• Use the language: Enslaved/Enslaver vs. Slave/Slave Owner

Black History in Canada

• During the mid-1800s, a network of Black and White individuals facilitated the escape of enslaved people from the southern U.S. to northern U.S. and Canada
• This was the Underground Railroad
• Harriet Tubman, known as a conductor, helped transport enslaved people to St. Catharines, ON
• James Wesley Hill, an enslaved man, escaped from the U.S. to Oakville, ON, in the 1840s
• Hill helped 700-800 enslaved people to escape to Oakville
• There was bounty placed on James Wesley Hill
• James Wesley Hill was known as Canada Jim in the U.S.
• There is a lack of knowledge about slavery in Canada among Canadian students

Facts About Slavery in Canada

• Slavery was widespread in Canada for 200 years and the Underground Railroad lasted approximately 30 years
• There were 3600 enslaved Black and Indigenous people in New France in 1759
• Slavery occurred in Ontario, Quebec, NB, NS, PEI, and Newfoundland
• Prior to abolition, enslaved people escaped from Canada to the United States

Six Historical Figures and the Issue of Remembrance

• Reading the six profiles provided and discussing the content is an important exercise

Henry Dundas (1742-1811)

• A powerful Scottish politician
• Dundas delayed the abolition of slavery in the British Empire by 15 years (1807 rather than 1792)
• Dundas Street, Yonge-Dundas Square, and the town of Dundas are named after him

Benjamin Vaughan (1751-1835)

• British politician
• Vaughan was the "owner" of hundreds of slaves in the West Indies
• He opposed the emancipation of enslaved people
• The City of Vaughan is named after him

Peter Russell (1733-1808)

• Judge in Upper Canada
• Russell fought against abolishing slavery and "owned" slaves
• Peter Street and Russell Hill Road in Toronto are named after him

Peggy Pompadour

• Peggy Pompadour's dates of birth and death are unknown
• She was a Black woman enslaved by Peter Russell, along with her children Jupiter, Milly, and Amy
• Pompadour resisted enslavement and was jailed by Peter Russell for it
• There is no place named after Peggy Pompadour, and related information is hard to find

Chloe Cooley

• Date of birth and death unknown
• Enslaved Black woman whose resistance to being sold led to the Act to Limit Slavery in Upper Canada in 1793
• Nothing is named after her in Canada, and there is only a heritage marker near Niagara-on-the-Lake

Marie-Joseph Angélique (? - 1734)

• Enslaved Black woman was charged with arson because she allegedly started a fire after being denied freedom
• Currently nothing is named after Marie-Joseph Angélique
• There has been more interest in her life lately among Black Canadian scholars

Discussion Questions

• What do these profiles suggest about who is remembered and who is erased from Canadian history?
• What actions should involve monuments, streets, cities, etc., named after enslavers?
• Why has Canada forgotten or deliberately erased its history of enslavement?
• What is the significance of "righting historical wrongs"?

National Myths

• Extremely annoyed by David Onley's either dishonest or ignorant statements.
• The statement "but Canada was good to slaves" irrelevant to anti-Blackness and the monarchy, it's also a bullshit lie that Canadians tell in the act of nationalist mythmaking.
• Growing up as a Black girl in Alberta and never hearing of Amber Valley, and how does its history go missing?

Myths and Continuity

• It's either ignorance or dishonest statements that drive myths

Conclusion

• It is important to remember that Black history is not limited to slavery
• Understanding slavery is essential for comprehending the root causes of anti-Black racism in Canada
• Black people in Canada have consistently resisted oppression
• Enslaving Black people is a practice that has continued into present day

National Myths

• What is a National Myth?
• What are Canada's National Myths?
• How to do Independent Research/Analysis
• El Jones - A Good Summary

National Myths: Learning Goals

• Students will learn about national myths and what they have to do with history
• Students will critically assess some of Canada's national myths

What is a National Myth?

• A national myth is an inspiring narrative or story about a nation's past and it's often an incomplete story and sometimes completely false
• National myths serve political purposes
• National Myths help people who have power keep it
• National Myths help to forget or "whitewash" ugly parts of a history.
• American National Myths include:
  • America was discovered by Christopher Columbus ("Doctrine of Discovery")
  • America is the world's greatest defender of freedom and democracy ("land of the free")
  • The "American Dream" - equality of opportunity are examples of american national myths

What are Canada's Myths?

Myth #1 Canada has no history of colonialism

• The Truth: Canada was and continues to be a settler colony.
• Settler colonialism is a type of colonialism that seeks to replace the original population of the colonized territory and it involves taking the land for use by settlers.
• You don't have to be white to be a settler!

Myth #2 Canada has always been multicultural and tolerant

• The Truth, Canada was and continues to be a country steeped in systemic racism and white supremacy
• Systemic racism is when various institutions (education, criminal justice, policing, health care, etc.) maintain the dominance of white folks.

Myth #3 Canada has no proverty and workers are treated very well

• The Truth: Canada was and continues to be a capitalist country.
• Capitalism is an economic system in which capitalists (owners or bosses) have more power and wealth than everyone else (workers).
• Canada faces regular conflicts between these 2 groups

Myth #4 Canada is kinder and gentler than the USA

• The Truth: Canada (in the past and today) has many of the same problems and flaws as the USA: settler colonialism, indigenous genocide, slavery, white supremacy, poverty, and worker exploitation.

Understanding slavery in Canada is crucial to challenge national myths and acknowledge systemic racism. The story of Canada Jim highlights the Underground Railroad's significance. It's important to recognize Canada's role in settler colonialism and confront whitewashed historical narratives.