Library Guides: Black History Month: Black History in Canada

Featured Resource

Schooling the System: A History of Black Women Teachers by Funké Aladejebi
Publication Date: 2021
eBook
By valuing women's voices and lived experiences, Funké Aladejebi illustrates that black women, as a diverse group, made vital contributions to the creation and development of anti-racist education in Canada.

Black History in Canada

Birchtown and the Black Loyalist Experience by Stephen Davidson
Call Number: Fennell STACKS F1040.N3 D38 2019
Publication Date: 2019
Black Canadians: History, Experiences, Social Conditions by Joseph Mensah
Call Number: Fennell STACKS FC106 .B6 M45 2002
Publication Date: 2002
The History of Immigration and Racism in Canada by Barrington Walker
Call Number: Fennell STACKS JV7220 .H48 2008
Publication Date: 2008
Racism, Eh? : A Critical Inter-Disciplinary Anthology of Race and Racism in Canada by Joseph Mensah
Call Number: Fennell STACKS FC104 .R3255 2004
Publication Date: 2004
Razing Africville by Jennifer J. Nelson
Call Number: Fennell STACKS FC2346.9 .N4 N45 2008
Publication Date: 2008
They Call Me George: The Untold Story of Black Train Porters and the Birth of Modern Canada by Cecil Foster
Call Number: Fennell/Stoney Creek STACKS HD8039.R362 C246 2019
Publication Date: 2019

The Black Atlantic Reconsidered by Winfried Siemerling
Publication Date: 2015
eBook
Blacks in Canada: A History by Robin W. Winks
Publication Date: 2021
eBook
Buller Men and Batty Bwoys: Hidden Men in Toronto and Halifax Black Communities by Wesley Crichlow
Publication Date: 2004
eBook
The Promised Land: History and Historiography of the Black Experience in Chatham-Kent's Settlements and Beyond by Boulou de b'Beri
Publication Date: 2014
eBook
Sport in the Black Atlantic: Cricket, Canada and the Caribbean diaspora by Janelle Joseph
Publication Date: 2017
The Underground Railroad by Adrienne Shadd
Publication Date: 2005
eBook
Until We Are Free: Reflections on Black Lives Matter Canada by Rodney Diverlus
Publication Date: 2020
eBook
We're Rooted Here and They Can't Pull Us Up: Essays in African Canadian Women's History by Peggy Bristow
Publication Date: 1994
eBook

John Ware Reclaimed (Video Duration 1 hour 12 minutes)
John Ware Reclaimed follows filmmaker Cheryl Foggo on her quest to re-examine the mythology surrounding John Ware, the Black cowboy who settled in Alberta, Canada, before the turn of the 20th century.
Journey to Justice (Video Duration 47 minutes)
This documentary pays tribute to a group of Canadians who took racism to court.
Remember Africville (Video Duration 35 minutes)
Former residents, their descendants and some of the decision-makers, speak out and, with the help of archival photographs and films, tell the story of their painful relocation.
How Much Do You Know about Black History in Canada? (Video Duration 50 minutes)
How much do we know about black history in Canada? What do we lose when we don't include black stories in our history?
Living in Hope: Viola Desmond's Story (Video Duration 54 minutes)
This special presentation from CBC Radio's Sunday Edition is a dramatized account of a pivotal moment in Canadian race relations.
Prairie Dream (Video Duration 12 minutes)
In this story, CBC reporter Sandra Batson takes a look at the history of African Americans who came to the Canadian Prairies, and the discrimination they confronted in search of a better life.
The Skin We're In (Video Duration 44 minutes)
Following celebrated journalist Desmond Cole as he researches his hotly anticipated book, this documentary from acclaimed director Charles Officer pulls back the curtain on racism in Canada.
Uncovering the History of Slavery in Canada (Video Duration 13 minutes)
Uncovering some hard truths about Canada's history of slavery.
What Systemic Racism in Canada Looks Like (Video Duration 10 minutes)
The police killing of George Floyd and the protests that followed have brought renewed attention to systemic racism.

Black History in Canada - Canadian Encyclopedia
A large collection of articles, videos, and images showcasing the stories, experiences, and accomplishments of people of African origin in Canada
Slavery to Freedom
Explore an important chapter of Ontario's history through visits to the many Black heritage sites and museums across the province.
The Story of Slavery in Canada
Source: Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Africville: A Community Destroyed
This link contains audio for the episode of Rewind with Michael Enright and uses materials from the CBC archives to chronicle the story of Africville.
The Secret Life of Canada - Porter Primers: How porters created Black neighbourhoods
Dr. Williams breaks down how porters — and the location of railways — catalyzed the creation of historically Black communities and institutions.
The Secret Life of Canada - Porter Primers: The rise of jazz
Dr. Williams explains how porters were instrumental in introducing jazz to Canada and how they served more generally as “conduits of culture.”
The Secret Life of Canada - Porter Primers: Why were all porters called ‘George’?
Dr. Williams explains why porters were referred to as “George” and how it’s linked to slavery.
The Secret Life of Canada - S3: Crash Course on "Uncle Tom"
Today we try to figure out the true story of Uncle Tom, with the help of Dr. Cheryl Thompson.

The Honourable Lincoln Alexander

Lincoln Alexander
The Honourable Lincoln Alexander was the first Black Canadian member of Parliament, Cabinet minister, and lieutenant-governor, as well as a leading figure in the fight for racial equality in Canada.

The 21st of January is recognized across Canada as Lincoln Alexander Day, in honour of the mark he made on the world.

Read more about Lincoln Alexander at the Canadian Encyclopedia website.