Social Sciences Black History – Learn
Black Presence — Tracing Ongoing Contributions and Participation Throughout History
From the earliest explorers who brought slaves in New France to migrations from the United States and elsewhere, the threads of Black Experience and History in Canada are varied, often lost in the margins, and often just mentioned but not really explored in any depth in our provincial programs.
As we at LEARN curate and build learning materials (for the new History program, for example) we are allowing ourselves to wander into various margins. Expanding on the program’s “knowledge” lists, we are beginning a process that traces the contributions of different groups, over time and into the future, in Quebec and elsewhere too.
i.e. Black History is not just about Black History Month.
Educational Resources on LEARN
Some Missing Pages and A WW1 Soldier’s Story
“A project on the presence of the Black community in Quebec and Canada.” Note: We were unable to import the Missing Pages section of the old site, but the book has been made available. Download Also, we have created PDFs of the old learning scenario a Soldier’s Story, which refers to the sections in the original book. Download
Black Loyalists in the context of other Loyalist movements
Overview of loyalist experiences and Black settlements Go to page
Tracing Black presence in Quebec History

Enter aThis is a personal project of mine (PR at LEARN) to attempt to trace some direct and indirect examples of the participation of Black individuals and culture in Quebec’s long and complex historical narrative. I have only begun, but feel free to take a look here and suggest additions to me at prombough@learnquebec.ca
Education Guides and Resources around the web
Black History Canada Education Guide by Historical Canada.
Online resources and teacher guide. Go to site
See also their older list of suggestions here.
People of African Descent
This lesson plan introduces a selection of historical works by artists’ of African descent and portraits of individuals of African descent in the collection of the National Gallery of Canada. Go to site
Black History Month Lessons & Resources at NEA.
American site but with several applicable lesson ideas and resources for use in Canadian classrooms too. Go to site
Guide to Online Resources for Teaching and Learning about Black History in Canada blog post by @AndreaEidinger Article with some good ideas and links to resources, media, social media, etc. Go to site
Your ideas on how to teach black history beyond Black History Month.
CBC Forum article and comments by viewers on how to teach Black History Month, etc. Go to site
Ontario Black History Society. Notes on events, places to visit and resources. See their educator guide PDF at bottom of the page. Go to site
The Underground Railroad Lesson on Historical Thinking site
Students use the National Geographic website to participate in an online simulation that traces the journey to freedom on the Underground Railroad. Go to site
The Amistad Case
Primary source documents and U.S. v. Amistad: A Case of Jurisdiction on DocsTeach
Go to site
Lesson activity looks at the life of Richard Pierpoint
Taken offline, this activity can still be found at Archives.org. Go to site
Long Walk of Nelson Mandela Viewers’ & Teachers’ Guide
Contexts, discussion questions, family activities Go to site
Web Sites worth visiting
Black History in Canada at Library and Archives Canada Research in published sources, Research at other institutions and online, etc. Go to site
Black History Canada. Mentioned above for their learning activities, see also their timeline of events in form of several articles. Mathieu Da Costa, Departure of Black Loyalists, Abolition of Enslavement in Canada, Founding of Oro Settlement, etc. Go to site
BooksShades of Black – The Best Books on the Black Experience in Canada
Go to site
Black History Month Resources list from InspireLEARNING The resource list below offers some resources that may be helpful in learning about Black History both here in Canada, and around the world. Go to site
Images of Black History, Exploring the Alvin McCurdy Collection. Materials that pre-date the founding of the province in 1791, and extends through the mid-20th century. This exhibit illustrates some of the key events and trends in Ontario black history with pictures and documents. Go to site
ARCHIVED – The Anti-Slavery Movement in Canada. Archived content worth grabbing now. Sections on Black Communities in Canada Refugees, The Anti-Slavery Society of Canada, The American Civil War. Go to site
American Slave Narratives: An Online Anthology
Go to site
From Slavery to Freedom: The African-American Pamphlet Collection, 1824-1909
Go to site
Images of African Americans from the 19th Century
Go to site
African American Odyssey: A Quest for Full Citizenship
Go to site
Slavery: History & Memory.
Vast collection of articles and imagery, various angles. Go to site
Video Collections worth viewing
National Film Board NFB.ca: THE BLACK COMMUNITY IN CANADA: A RICH HISTORY [Login to LEARN first then visit to access Campus, etc.]. To celebrate the history of the Black community in Canada, we’ve selected a group of NFB of films that can only scratch the surface of such a rich and multi-layered culture. Incredible stories in the Black community of strength, courage and perseverance in the face of adversity date back to the beginning of time. Go to site
CURIO: Celebrating Black History Month
[Login to LEARN then access via our button!] Curio.ca has pulled together a selection of teacher resource guides, videos and audio series that honour black history in Canada. These resources are intended to complement teachers’ Black History Month activities and initiatives. In particular, we wish to highlight the Burgundy Jazz Teacher Resource Guide, a must-read resource aimed at educators at the elementary (Grades 6-8) and secondary school levels. Go to site
CTV video related to BLACK HISTORY MONTH.
Local Quebec-focused stories that highlight prominent individuals influencing history now. Go to site
New York Times list: 28 Days, 28 Films for Black History Month
Our chief film critics have chosen essential movies from the 20th century that convey the larger history of black Americans in cinema. Go to site
Black History in America on HIstory.com.
Information and many videos Go to site
People
Some online lists:
23 historical black Canadians you should know
Reflect on the stories, experiences, and accomplishments of Canada’s black community. Here are 23 black Canadians who made major contributions to Canada’s culture and legacy.
Go to site
Black Female Freedom Fighters
“To be black and female in a society which is both racist and sexist is to be in the unique position of having nowhere to go but up,” said Rosemary Brown.
Go to site
Ten Famous Black Canadians.
Go to site
Black History Month Noteworthy historical figures via Canada Heritage
Go to site
Small list of a few more individuals:
Mathieu Da Costa
Historians consider him the first Black person known to have visited Canada, probably in the company of Pierre Dugua de Mons and Samuel de Champlain. Go to site
Black Pioneers from list blackhistorycanada.ca:
Thomas Peters
A biography of Thomas Peters. From the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online.
Stephen Blucke
A biography of Stephen Blucke. From the Black Loyalists: Our History, Our Peoplewebsite.
Richard Pierpoint
Canadianencyclopedia.ca on Richard Pierpoint
Biographi.ca entry on Pierpoint
Heritage Minute on Richard Pierpoint
Richard Pierpoint, Slave, Loyalist, Soldier, Farmer – Fact Sheet by FCWMSlave, Soldier, Settler One Pioneer’s Story, The Life of Richard Pierpoint by David Meyler. Archive.org:
http://archive.li/x6yxN
Josiah Henson
His profile page at blackhistorycanada.ca with several others! Go to site
His role in Rebellions of 1837-38 described Go to site
Viola Desmond
A Viola Desmond primer: Who’s the woman on today’s new Canadian $10 bill?
Viola Desmond Heritage Minute
Viola Desmond | The Canadian Encyclopedia
Oscar Peterson – A Jazz Sensation / Une sensation jazz
Historica Canada
Canadian Encyclopedia
Mary Shadd Cary (1823-1893)
Canadian Encyclopedia
Paul Rombough Resources, ideas, inspiration
My dossiers at LEARN include:
Social Sciences
Ethics & Religious Culture
Physical Education & Health
Sexuality Education
Ed4Rec
You can contact me at prombough@learnquebec.ca
LEARN General Contacts
For LEARN addresses and phone contacts, and for eConferencing Support, visit the main LEARN
contacts section Go to page
SOME TWITTER ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW:
Me of course! @paulrombo
MoisHistoireNoirs @lemoisdesnoirs
Linton Garner @LINTONGARNER1
Anthony Morgan @AnthonyNMorgan
Black Perspectives @BlkPerspectives
AAIHS @AAIHS
Karen Flynn, :PhD @KarenFlynnPhD
Afua Cooper @afuacooper
Natasha Henry @NHenryFundi
Melissa N. Shaw @MelissaNShaw
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