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So much people don’t know about Black folk in Alberta. Five Stories:
1) Joseph Lewis (1772-1820)
“Fur trader and voyageur Joseph Lewis, also known as Levy Johnston, arrived in the Indigenous territories now known as Alberta and Saskatchewan circa 1799” https://www.ucalgary.ca/equity-diversity-inclusion/education-and-training/taking-action-against-anti-black-racism/albertans
1) Joseph Lewis (1772-1820)
“Fur trader and voyageur Joseph Lewis, also known as Levy Johnston, arrived in the Indigenous territories now known as Alberta and Saskatchewan circa 1799” https://www.ucalgary.ca/equity-diversity-inclusion/education-and-training/taking-action-against-anti-black-racism/albertans
Joseph Lewis - Black Fur Traders in Canada, by Bertrand Bickersteth (2020):
“Joseph Lewis worked in the fur trade in the western part of Rupert’s Land..He is likely the first Black person on record in the territory that became Saskatchewan and Alberta” https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/black-fur-traders-in-canada
“Joseph Lewis worked in the fur trade in the western part of Rupert’s Land..He is likely the first Black person on record in the territory that became Saskatchewan and Alberta” https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/black-fur-traders-in-canada
“The Story of Joseph Lewis:
Diversity is Alberta’s strength” by @Paulatics:
“When you picture voyageurs..our textbooks, our miniseries..novels.. heritage parks, don’t tell the stories of black fur traders in the Canadian West..They’ve just been erased” https://albertaviews.ca/story-joseph-lewis/
Diversity is Alberta’s strength” by @Paulatics:
“When you picture voyageurs..our textbooks, our miniseries..novels.. heritage parks, don’t tell the stories of black fur traders in the Canadian West..They’ve just been erased” https://albertaviews.ca/story-joseph-lewis/
2)Hidden Figures: Annie Saunders (ca 1836-98):
“Annie Saunders is an early embodiment of the entrepreneurial spirt among Black settlers on Indigenous territories now known as the province of Alberta..nearly 30 years before Alberta became a province” https://www.ucalgary.ca/equity-diversity-inclusion/education-and-training/taking-action-against-anti-black-racism/albertans
“Annie Saunders is an early embodiment of the entrepreneurial spirt among Black settlers on Indigenous territories now known as the province of Alberta..nearly 30 years before Alberta became a province” https://www.ucalgary.ca/equity-diversity-inclusion/education-and-training/taking-action-against-anti-black-racism/albertans
Assembling Auntie: Illuminating a long-forgotten pioneer, by @cdfoggo:
“There is much that has changed about Pincher Creek in the 130 years since Annie Saunders dragged her laundry sack along its dusty lanes, but surely much that has not” @AlbertaViewsMag https://albertaviews.ca/assembling-auntie/
“There is much that has changed about Pincher Creek in the 130 years since Annie Saunders dragged her laundry sack along its dusty lanes, but surely much that has not” @AlbertaViewsMag https://albertaviews.ca/assembling-auntie/
3)John Ware (ca. 1845-1905):
“Ware was born an enslaved Black man on a cotton plantation in the United States circa 1845..He survived enslavement, anti-Black racism and discrimination to become among Alberta’s best known cowboys and ranchers” #ucalgary https://www.ucalgary.ca/equity-diversity-inclusion/education-and-training/taking-action-against-anti-black-racism/albertans
“Ware was born an enslaved Black man on a cotton plantation in the United States circa 1845..He survived enslavement, anti-Black racism and discrimination to become among Alberta’s best known cowboys and ranchers” #ucalgary https://www.ucalgary.ca/equity-diversity-inclusion/education-and-training/taking-action-against-anti-black-racism/albertans
The Secret Life of Canada: S2: Shout Out to John Ware:
“Meet John Ware, the Black cowboy who helped build Alberta's ranching industry and became a legend for his skill as horseman.
Please be advised this episode contains strong language” @CBCNews https://www.cbc.ca/listen/cbc-podcasts/203-the-secret-life-of-canada/episode/15668503-s2-shout-out-to-john-ware
“Meet John Ware, the Black cowboy who helped build Alberta's ranching industry and became a legend for his skill as horseman.
Please be advised this episode contains strong language” @CBCNews https://www.cbc.ca/listen/cbc-podcasts/203-the-secret-life-of-canada/episode/15668503-s2-shout-out-to-john-ware
Scotiabank Backbeat | Cheryl Foggo's We Were Here (John Ware Reimagined) via @YouTube
4)Violet King (1929-82)
“Born in Calgary to descendants of the Black pioneers of Alberta,..King was a woman of many ‘firsts.’..only woman in her graduating class..first Black person admitted to the Alberta Bar..first Black woman lawyer in Canada #ucalgary https://www.ucalgary.ca/equity-diversity-inclusion/education-and-training/taking-action-against-anti-black-racism/albertans
“Born in Calgary to descendants of the Black pioneers of Alberta,..King was a woman of many ‘firsts.’..only woman in her graduating class..first Black person admitted to the Alberta Bar..first Black woman lawyer in Canada #ucalgary https://www.ucalgary.ca/equity-diversity-inclusion/education-and-training/taking-action-against-anti-black-racism/albertans
Love this Violet King/Alberta counter-narrative:
Outshining others to secure a position:
“‘People told me it wasn’t a good idea for a girl to be a lawyer, particularly a coloured girl — so I went ahead,’ Violet King said on May 5, 1956.” @WhigStandard https://www.thewhig.com/opinion/columnists/outshining-others-to-secure-a-position
Outshining others to secure a position:
“‘People told me it wasn’t a good idea for a girl to be a lawyer, particularly a coloured girl — so I went ahead,’ Violet King said on May 5, 1956.” @WhigStandard https://www.thewhig.com/opinion/columnists/outshining-others-to-secure-a-position
Deficit thinking requires rebuttal. This truism: some among us “have to work twice as hard to get half as far”:
Beyond a Single Story: Black Lives and Hidden Figures in the Canadian Academy | Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences @ideas_idees https://www.ideas-idees.ca/blog/beyond-single-story-black-lives-and-hidden-figures-canadian-academy
Beyond a Single Story: Black Lives and Hidden Figures in the Canadian Academy | Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences @ideas_idees https://www.ideas-idees.ca/blog/beyond-single-story-black-lives-and-hidden-figures-canadian-academy
Alberta's first black lawyer [Violet King] remembered by childhood friends:
“King-Henry graduated in the top four of the University of Alberta’s law program in 1953 alongside future Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed.” @CTVNews https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/alberta-s-first-black-lawyer-remembered-by-childhood-friends-1.4821385
“King-Henry graduated in the top four of the University of Alberta’s law program in 1953 alongside future Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed.” @CTVNews https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/alberta-s-first-black-lawyer-remembered-by-childhood-friends-1.4821385
5) Calgarian Virnetta Nelson Anderson (1920-2006):
“migrated to Calgary in 1952 after her husband, Ezzrett ‘Sugarfoot’ Anderson, was recruited by the Calgary Stampede..1974 she was elected to Calgary City Council..first Black alderwoman in..the province” https://www.ucalgary.ca/equity-diversity-inclusion/education-and-training/taking-action-against-anti-black-racism/albertans
“migrated to Calgary in 1952 after her husband, Ezzrett ‘Sugarfoot’ Anderson, was recruited by the Calgary Stampede..1974 she was elected to Calgary City Council..first Black alderwoman in..the province” https://www.ucalgary.ca/equity-diversity-inclusion/education-and-training/taking-action-against-anti-black-racism/albertans
Virnetta Anderson Hall:
“Municipal reception hall renamed in honour of former alderman's legacy,” City of Calgary Newsroom (Sept 15, 2020). #yyc #yyccc https://newsroom.calgary.ca/virnetta-anderson-hall/
“Municipal reception hall renamed in honour of former alderman's legacy,” City of Calgary Newsroom (Sept 15, 2020). #yyc #yyccc https://newsroom.calgary.ca/virnetta-anderson-hall/
"There weren't many Black faces in Calgary in those years, but my parents encouraged me to embrace that and stand out; 'being unique and different is a good thing,' they'd say."
Calgary's 1st Black city council member to be honoured in municipal building https://globalnews.ca/news/7336982/calgary-black-city-council-honoured-virnetta-anderson/
Calgary's 1st Black city council member to be honoured in municipal building https://globalnews.ca/news/7336982/calgary-black-city-council-honoured-virnetta-anderson/
6)Unfamiliar w/ the hidden history of anti-Black racism & civil rights struggles in Alberta?
Bashir Mohamed: Calgary’s Unknown Civil Rights Champion:
“We Want No Dark Spots in Alberta”
In 1914 “Charles Daniels refused to give up his seat” @sprawlcalgary https://www.sprawlcalgary.com/calgarys-unknown-civil-rights-hero
Bashir Mohamed: Calgary’s Unknown Civil Rights Champion:
“We Want No Dark Spots in Alberta”
In 1914 “Charles Daniels refused to give up his seat” @sprawlcalgary https://www.sprawlcalgary.com/calgarys-unknown-civil-rights-hero
Uncovering Calgary’s submerged stones of Black life.
Albertan rediscovers theatregoer's fight against segregation 104 years ago:
“Charles Daniels faced racism when he tried to see a play in Calgary in 1914. His story is finally being told” #yyc @CBCNews https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/charles-daniels-train-porter-racism-lawsuit-1.4826763
Albertan rediscovers theatregoer's fight against segregation 104 years ago:
“Charles Daniels faced racism when he tried to see a play in Calgary in 1914. His story is finally being told” #yyc @CBCNews https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/charles-daniels-train-porter-racism-lawsuit-1.4826763
Calgary filmmaker explores what could be Alberta’s first civil rights case
“Calgary historian and filmmaker @cdfoggo believes Alberta’s first civil rights case was filed in Calgary in 1914. Foggo explores the case and the man behind it in a new film” #yyc http://globalnews.ca/news/6596242/calgary-film-alberta-early-civil-rights-case-black-racism/
“Calgary historian and filmmaker @cdfoggo believes Alberta’s first civil rights case was filed in Calgary in 1914. Foggo explores the case and the man behind it in a new film” #yyc http://globalnews.ca/news/6596242/calgary-film-alberta-early-civil-rights-case-black-racism/
'Not just in the US': amateur historian highlights Canada's forgotten racism:
“In 1914, Charles Daniels bought a pair of tickets to see King Lear at Calgary’s Sherman Grand Theatre..when he attempted to take his orchestra-level seat, he was told..to move” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/20/canada-racism-past-civil-rights-charles-daniels-bashir-mohamed
“In 1914, Charles Daniels bought a pair of tickets to see King Lear at Calgary’s Sherman Grand Theatre..when he attempted to take his orchestra-level seat, he was told..to move” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/20/canada-racism-past-civil-rights-charles-daniels-bashir-mohamed
7)What’s at stake in denying anti-Black racism in Alberta?
“May 12, 1922, Lulu Anderson tried to buy a ticket to ‘The Lion and The Mouse’ at the former Metropolitan Theatre on Jasper Avenue..member of the Black community...theatre staff denied Lulu entry” http://theyardsyeg.ca/finding-lulu
“May 12, 1922, Lulu Anderson tried to buy a ticket to ‘The Lion and The Mouse’ at the former Metropolitan Theatre on Jasper Avenue..member of the Black community...theatre staff denied Lulu entry” http://theyardsyeg.ca/finding-lulu
8)Lulu Anderson
“Anderson stood up for racial justice in Edmonton..in 1922.. when racial violence was commonplace. Alberta theatres often presented minstrel shows performed by white people in make‐up or ‘blackface’ that ridiculed people of African descent” https://humanrights.ca/story/canadian-civil-rights-trailblazers
“Anderson stood up for racial justice in Edmonton..in 1922.. when racial violence was commonplace. Alberta theatres often presented minstrel shows performed by white people in make‐up or ‘blackface’ that ridiculed people of African descent” https://humanrights.ca/story/canadian-civil-rights-trailblazers
9)Civil rights champion Ted King. 1925-2001
“night school at the @UCalgary and attained an accounting diploma”
“president of the Alberta Association for the Advancement of Coloured People from 1958 to 1961..advocated for..rights of Black Canadians” #yyc https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ted-king
“night school at the @UCalgary and attained an accounting diploma”
“president of the Alberta Association for the Advancement of Coloured People from 1958 to 1961..advocated for..rights of Black Canadians” #yyc https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ted-king
10)Let me conclude w/ this thought about the ahistorical “racism denial industry”:
Racism in Canada thrives and pretending otherwise nourishes it, say people who live it
“There are 3 Alberta civil rights cases you've probably never heard of” #yyc #racism https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/canada-racism-thrives-desmond-cole-adora-nwofor-bashir-mohamed-1.5472427
Racism in Canada thrives and pretending otherwise nourishes it, say people who live it
“There are 3 Alberta civil rights cases you've probably never heard of” #yyc #racism https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/canada-racism-thrives-desmond-cole-adora-nwofor-bashir-mohamed-1.5472427
