CHATHAM, ONTARIO – Andria Dyer is standing at the edge of a fire in a pretty glade of deep green trees at TJ Stables, singing a song about giving thanks to the creator. I don’t understand the words as she’s singing in Ojibwe, but I know the word “Miigwech” means “thank you,” so I can at least pick that up. In fact, the precise words don’t seem to matter. Dyer, who is Ojibwe from Chippewa of the Thames First Nation and whose indigenous name is Running Deer, is clearly pouring her heart and soul into the song. Her voice rises Read more
Chatham
August 1 marks Emancipation Day in Canada and many other countries. Great Britain on Aug. 1, 1834 established the Slavery Abolition Act, which put an end to the centuries-old system of colonial enslavement of Africans throughout the British Empire, which included the land now known as Canada. I can’t say I’ve explored a ton of Black history places in Canada, but here are a few I can recommend in Ontario. These are all excerpts from stories/blog posts about places and people that celebrate this province’s rich Black history. All of these places are within a few hours of Toronto. BUXTON Read more
