With the approach of February’s Black History Month, identified are some prominent historical figures that have changed the cultural landscape of Canada and are sources of reverence and pride, not only for the black community, but Canada as a whole.

Harriet Tubman
(1820-1913)

Tubman was born in Dorchester County, Maryland.   After freeing herself from slavery, she worked tirelessly to help hundreds of others find their freedom in Canada.  As the Underground Railroad’s best known ‘conductor,’ Tubman once proudly boasted to fellow abolitionist Fredrick Douglass, that in 19 trips she “never lost a single passenger.”

With files from PBS.org

Honourable Ellen Fairclough
(1905 – 2004)

January 19, 1962 – As Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Fairclough introduced a new immigration act that reformed Canada’s immigration policy to aid in the elimination of racial discrimination.
Unsponsored immigrants that met the required education skill or a capacity of similar value were able to enter the country, regardless of colour, race, or nationality.

With files from Library & Archives Canada,  Canadian Geographic  and Black History Canada

Pierre Elliot Trudeau
(1919-2000)

As Prime Minister, Trudeau introduced Canada’s Multicultural Policy in 1971.   The policy was in reaction to the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, which reinforced the idea of a ‘bicultural Canada,’ which did not recognize other ethnic groups.  With this policy, Trudeau asserted that Canada was, in fact, a multicultural country.

With files from Black History Canada.ca

Lincoln Alexander
(1922 – Present)

September 1985 – Alexander gets sworn in as Ontario’s lieutenant-governor, making him the first Black person to hold this position. In this role, he became a leader in the province’s multicultural movement. He was also the first Black MP and federal cabinet minister.

With files from Canada-Heroes and Black History Canada

Donovan Bailey
(1967 – Present)

August 6, 1995 June 24, 1996 – Track and field athlete Donovan Bailey earned the title of the “World’s Fastest Human” after winning the 100-metre sprint at the World Track Championships in Sweden.
A year later he set a new world and Olympic record at the summer games in Atlanta, Georgia, hitting a speed of 43.6 km/h and taking the win with a time of 9.84 seconds. Bailey’s record made him one of the greatest athletes in the history of his sport.

With files from Canadians.ca, CBC, Donovanbailey.com, and Black History Canada

Michaëlle Jean
(1957 – Present)

September 27, 2005 – As the 27^th governor general, Jean was the first black person to assume that role. Jean’s recognized for her prominent journalistic work and for her anchor position at Radio-Canada television and CBC Newsworld.

With files from CBC and The Governor General of Canada

Lawrence Hill
(1957-Present)

Hill was born and raised in Don Mills, Ont.  He is an award-winning memoirist and novelist whose work explores themes of race and racism.  His 2001 autobiography Black Berry, Sweet Juice: On Being Black and White in Canada describes his experience growing up in the predominantly white Toronto suburb, and his most celebrated novel, 2007’s The Book of Negroes chronicles the life of a young slave girl from her abduction in Africa, through to old age.

With files from Lawrence Hill.com

Photos 1, 3, 5, 6 courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Photo 7 courtesy of Wikimedia Commons & Joshua Sherurcij
Photos 2 courtesy of Library & Archive of Canada
Photo 4 courtesy of Flickr & Jeff Kirk