Today's #Blackhistorymonth #HiddenHistory of #sxont is Tony Small, the first Black person known to have visited what is today #ldnont. It is imp, though, to remember that Small was probably not actually first... Small was not enslaved but most Black ppl in the region were. - 1/3

2/3 - It seems likely, that some enslaved ppl visited this place. Prominent Oneida fur trader Sally Ainse, who lived along the Thames near #ChathamON, & Mohawk leader Joseph Brant ( #Brantford), enslaved people. The Forks (i.e. #ldnont) was part of a central travelling route

3/3 - Enslavement (of both Indigenous & African-descended ppl) was also common at #Detroit during the 18th century (see @TiyaMilesTAM work). Furthermore, some Black people thrived in the fur trade... more on that tomorrow! For more visit: http://ontariohiddenhistories.ca/ 

4/3 - In case this was not clear: the point here is that the lives of most #enslaved ppl are not well recorded. We must remember them & their role in building the world around us. A focus on "firsts" can obscure this. #BlackLivesMatter #BlackHistoryMonth #HiddenHistory of #sxont.