Printed by the Review
Celebrating Black history
Many educational, cultural events throughout region
Posted By ALISON LANGLEY
In the 1800s, a determined young man walked away from slavery in Kentucky to freedom in Fort Erie.
He settled in the southern Ontario town and raised a family. Small stone tablets at a cemetery on Curtis Road mark the final resting place of several of his relatives.
His journey to freedom, and those of many other men and women, will be the focus of an upcoming bus tour to celebrate Black History Month.
“I actually call it Happy Black History Month,” said Lezlie Harper Wells, owner of Niagara Bound Tours.
“For so long it has been known as the dark history or the black period. It’s not. These are very strong, wonderful people who made it through all those obstacles.”
The tour, to be held Feb. 16, is actually a labour of love for Harper Wells.
The St. Catharines resident is a descendant of that fugitive slave from Kentucky.
Her great-grandfather, William Chandler, who lost an arm in battle during the Civil War, is also buried at the cemetery.
As operator of Niagara Bound Tours, she typically offers customized private tours to groups and individuals.
This year she wanted to share her personal story with the general public.
“I want people to come out and learn our rich history. So many people aren’t aware of what we actually have in the Niagara Region in terms of black history.”
A native of Fort Erie, Harper Wells will begin the tour in her hometown, stopping at various locations from Fort Erie to St. Catharines.
The final itinerary has yet to be ironed out, but possible locations include British Methodist Episcopal churches in Niagara Falls and St. Catharines.
The tour will run from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person. For further information, visit www.niagaraboundtours.com.
Sharing Niagara’s black history with future generations is key to keeping those early descendants’ memories and accomplishments alive, says Wilma Morrison.
Morrison, founder of the Norval Johnson Heritage Library next door to the BME Church on Peer Street, has dedicated years of service to the preservation of black history.
She makes numerous public presentations across the region and is always happy to entertain visitors at the library.
Her next gig will be Feb. 28 as a guest speaker at a symposium at Brock University.
Hosted by the Brock/Niagara African Canadian Renaissance, the event will include various speakers and live entertainment.
Topics to be discussed at the day-long symposium include youth violence, unity and resistance, and how to construct cohesive communities.
“If we get to know about each other, we’re not going to fear each other and we all have a place in the building of this community,” Morrison said.
“When we learn about each other there won’t always be negative connotations directed at certain groups.”
While the library gets about 1,500 visitors a year, many of whom are residents from the United States who want to know more about their heritage, Morrison encourages everyone to visit.
“Unfortunately, we don’t teach the history of the contributions of many of the people who built our communities. There are so many stories that need to be told.”
The library includes a genealogical section that offers information on black families who settled in Niagara Falls as early as 1790.
The small church next door is equally rich in history.
Built in 1836, the church assisted former slaves who used the Underground Railroad to enter Canada.
alangley@nfreview.com
music, food and education
Other Niagara events planned for Black History Month include:
- Stamford United Church will host a Choralis Camerata Feb. 17 at 3 p.m. The show will include a discussion about the Underground Railroad and the role that African-American spirituals played in the journey to freedom. Tickets are $10. For further information, call 905-354-8841.
- A dinner dance in honour of Niagara Black History Month will be held Feb. 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Robertson Hall in St. Catharines. Entertainment will be provided by Femi Abosede, a 15-piece Afro Jazz band, Jeff Smith and Trevor Walcott of the Tropical Islanders Steelband. Tickets are $40 and children younger than 12 and students are $20. For additional information, call 905-937-8008.
- Kool Katts Caribbean Restaurant and Juice Bar on Drummond Road will host a mix and mingle brunch March 16 from noon until 3:30 p.m. The event includes a full brunch, guest speakers and a historical presentation. Tickets are $15.95 for adults and $10.95 for children younger than 12. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Niagara Black History Association. Call 905-358-0258 for more information.
Article ID# 887979
© 2008 , Osprey Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Niagara Falls Review acticles reprinted with permission by the authority of Joe Wallace, City Editor of the Niagara Falls Review.
Related posts:
- Cemetery’s stones lead to history lesson
- Old Fort Erie hosts re-enactment of 1866 Fenian raid
- Famous Niagara Falls Battle marks 195 years
- Niagara Falls: Canadian side overflows with kitsch kitsch
