Black history organizations and educational resources
There are many organizations and educational resources devoted to the promotion and awareness of Black Canadian history. Below you can find some of these provincial organizations and insightful resources.
Organizations
British Columbia
- British Columbia Black History Awareness Society (BCBHAS)
The BCBHAS, a non-profit society, was formed in February 1994 to continue the work started by the British Columbia Black History Awareness Committee, namely celebrating the achievements of Black people in British Columbia.
New Brunswick
- New Brunswick Black History Society
The New Brunswick Black History Society is dedicated to the research, analysis, documentation and preservation of New Brunswick's Black History. The NBBHS gathers information concerning New Brunswick's Black residents, past and present; promotes awareness of New Brunswick's Black history; encourages the Black community and the general public to work together; and works towards increasing the presence of Black History in New Brunswick's educational system.
Nova Scotia
- The Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia
The Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia is a museum and library resource centre that focuses on the history and culture of Nova Scotians of African descent, striving to Educate and Inspire, and to Protect, Preserve and Promote Black culture in Nova Scotia. - Black Loyalist Heritage Society
The objectives of the Society are to develop, preserve, promote, protect and exhibit the history and heritage of the Black Loyalists and their descendants; promote universal recognition of the ancestry of the Black Loyalist Society as a nascent Canadian heritage community, having been among the original settlers of Canada, and having had no prior citizenship in any other country; cultivate and contribute to the economic prosperity of the Black Loyalist community through participation in community development initiatives; and to actively participate in Canadian multiculturalism campaigns, projects and other efforts toward social cohesion.
Ontario
- Amherstburg Freedom Museum
Previously known as 'the Black Museum', the Amherstburg Freedom Museum is a community-based, non-profit museum that tells the story of African-Canadians' journey and contributions, by preserving and presenting artifacts that educate and inspire. - Black History Ottawa
Black History Ottawa is a registered Canadian charity with a mandate to advance education by increasing the public's knowledge and appreciation of, and by carrying out research in, the history, culture, traditions and achievements of Canadians of African descent. - Buxton National Historic Site & Museum
Founded on the original site of the Elgin Settlement that served as a terminus on the Underground Railroad for Blacks fleeing oppression, Buxton National Historic Site & Museum's main purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret historical artifacts related to the Elgin Settlement. - Ontario Black History Society
The Ontario Black History Society is a non-profit registered Canadian charity dedicated to the study, preservation and promotion of Black history and heritage. - Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site
Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site sits on part of the original property purchased in 1841 by abolitionist Josiah Henson and his supporters to establish a refuge for the many fugitives from slavery in the United States. It consists of an interpretive centre, three historic buildings, two cemeteries and numerous artifacts that have been preserved as a legacy to these early pioneers. - Slavery to Freedom
Explore an important chapter of Ontario's history through visits to the many Black heritage sites and museums across the province.
Quebec
- Black History Month – Montréal
The Round Table on Black History Month is a non-profit organization that promotes activities highlighting both the history and the contemporary situation of Black communities in Quebec.
Saskatchewan
- The Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museum Inc. (SACHM)
SACHM is a provincial organization whose primary purpose is to celebrate, explore, research, document and preserve the history, heritage and contributions of people of African ancestry.
Educational resources
- Anti-Slavery Movement in Canada – Library and Archives Canada
In 2001, at the invitation of the J'Nikira Dinqinesh Education Centre, Library and Archives Canada commemorated the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Anti-Slavery Society of Canada in 1851 with this exhibition. - Black History Month in Canada's Digital Collections
This page lists the projects included in Canada's Digital Collections (CDC). Black history‑related content is included in the CDC. This digital collection was produced in partnership with Industry Canada. - Black History Canada Portal
An annotated guide to online resources on the history of Canada's Black community. - Canadian Encyclopedia: Black History in Canada
The Canadian Encyclopedia plays an essential role in providing Canadians and others with accurate, updated information about our people and country. - Dictionary of Canadian Biography: Blacks
The Dictionary of Canadian Biography features biographies of national importance. - Mary Ann Shadd Cary – Library and Archives of Canada
Explore the records documenting Mary Ann Shadd Cary's abolitionist activities and personal life. - Remember Africville – (National Film Board of Canada)
This short film depicts Africville in Halifax, Nova Scotia. 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 that painful relocation. - Remembering Black Loyalists, Black Communities in Nova Scotia
This virtual exhibit is based on the physical exhibit of the same title produced by the History Section of the Nova Scotia Museum in 1999–2000. That exhibit was one of the products of the project Remembering Black Loyalists, Black Communities. - Underground Railroad – Historica Foundation
The acclaimed Historica Minutes (and specifically, the Underground Railroad) are one-minute movies that portray exciting and important stories from Canada's past. - Virtual Museum of Canada – On the Road North – Black Canada and the Journey to Freedom
The Virtual Museum of Canada (VMC) uncovers the history of Black Canadians and their contributions to the establishment of Canada. The project was completed in collaboration with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and is available for display in your region.
Special thanks
We would like to give a special thanks to the following organizations for their valuable input and contributions:
- Amherstburg Freedom Museum
- Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia
- Black History Ottawa
- The Black Loyalist Heritage Centre
- British Columbia Black History Awareness Society
- Buxton National Historic Site and Museum
- George Elliott Clarke
- Ontario Black History Society
- Round Table on Black History Month
- The Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museum Inc.
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