You can learn about B.C.’s Black pioneers — and meet descendants of Black settlers who arrived in B.C. in 1858 — at the B.C Black History and Heritage Day at the Royal B.C. Museum today.
The event, a joint venture of the museum and B.C. Black History Awareness Society, will feature information booths centred around Hope Meets Action: Echoes Through the Black Continuum, the first Black history museum exhibition conceived, curated and written with Black voices.
“This day is about recognition, connection and celebration,” said Fran Morrison, a director of the B.C. Black History Awareness Society.
Presentations at the event include one on the Underground Railroad — escape routes used by slaves fleeing the U.S. and heading to Canada — by Ron Nicholson, a fourth-generation Canadian whose great-grandfather travelled on the Underground Railroad.
Also at the event will be Karen Hoshal and Barbra Hudlin, direct descendants of Charles and Nancy Alexander, who were part of the 1858 migration of Black pioneers to B.C. from San Francisco. The family settled in Saanich and formed a Black community that helped build the Shady Creek Church and schools.
The Old Cemeteries Society of Victoria will have a display, with details of their annual tour of Black pioneers’ gravesites at Ross Bay Cemetery and information about some of these pioneers.
Display booths will include images, artifacts and archival documents. The museum recommends setting aside 60 minutes to view all the exhibits.
Live music will be provided throughout the event.
Admission is free. The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. today at the Clifford Carl Hall in the museum, 675 Belleville St.
For more information, go to royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.
