Contemporary Stories
Listen to three women of the Black community as they share stories about their own family histories, how early Canadian history is taught, and what they would like younger generations to learn about Black History in Canada.
Deirdre McCorkindale
Deirdre McCorkindale is a historian born and raised in Chatham, Ontario interested in the history of race in North America with a focus on the Black Canadian and Black American experience. She is currently an Assistant Professor for the Department of History at the University of Guelph and is a board member of the Chatham Kent Black historical society.
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Michelle Robbins
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Michelle Robbins is the Assistant Curator at the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum. Not only does she work for the Buxton Museum, but she is also the chair of Buxton's Next Generation, a youth committee in North Buxton whose mission is to engage the youth within the community and preserve their history and culture. Michelle is also a 7th-generation descendent of the Buxton Settlement. Born and raised in Buxton she is the youngest of 3 siblings.
She has one daughter Layla and partner Kevin. Her passions are her family, sports, and historical research about Black History.
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Dorothy Wallace
Dorothy Wallace, one of the ten Wright children, has called Chatham home her entire life, living only a block from the house she grew up in, in the east side of Chatham – the city’s historically Black neighbourhood. Eight years ago, Dorothy wanted to help out the community that raised her and became the president of the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum after volunteering on the Board of Directors. Since then, Dorothy has enjoyed sharing her stories of life and growing up in Chatham with visitors from across the world.
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Further Resources:
“The Road to Rebellion” (Sharon Temple National Historic Site)
Tells the story of the community of Sharon during the Rebellion of 1837.
https://www.communitystories.ca/v2/sharon-temple-rebellion_temple-sharon-rebellion/
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“Exploring Pickering and the Underground Railroad) (Pickering Museum Village)
An independent learning lesson in Prezi, exploring the UGRR, key figures, and local settlers.
https://prezi.com/view/7byrarMaRfPumNshBAq8/
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“5 Canadian settlements at the end of the Underground Railroad” (CBC Kids)
https://www.cbc.ca/kids/articles/5-canadian-settlements-at-the-end-of-the-underground-railroad
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“Teaching and Education Resources” (Chatham-Kent)
https://ckbhs.org/educational-resources/
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“Black Settlement in Ontario” (Heritage Trust)
Upon arriving in Canada, many newly freed Blacks settled in what is now Ontario in Amherstburg, Chatham, London, Oro, Woolwich and Windsor. Others crossed the Great Lakes to freedom and made their homes in Owen Sound and Toronto.
https://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/pages/our-stories/slavery-to-freedom/history/black-settlement-in-ontario
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“The Black Canadian Experience in Ontario 1834-1912: FLIGHT, FREEDOM, FOUNDATION (Archives of Ontario and the Ontario Black History Society [OBHS])
http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/explore/online/black_history/index.aspx