While these self sustaining communities dotted the wilderness and countryside, the new residents did not always find welcoming committees among their neighbors. Winks writes vivid accounts of the fugitive communities in the Ontario region such as Dresden, Puce, and Elgin and the numerous other small villages. Shortly thereafter Canada became a safe haven for refugees from American slavery. Slavery ended in Canada in part as a result of the works of Lord Simcoe. Many of these servants found their new homes in Nova Scotia especially in the Halifax area known as Africville. The first great migration followed our American Revolution when Loyalists fled to the northern colony with their servants. Winks’ history spans over 350 years of the rich history of these African Canadians. Slavery continued in New France beyond the Conquest. Although Africans first visited the coastal region of Canada during early exploration, the first slavery in New France occurred in 1628. In celebration of this, I call attention to the vital and quintessential work on African Canadian history by Robin Winks. Once again February rolls around and thus Black History Month. Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1997.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |