Black and Canadian: Stories of Service
The experiences of Black people in Canada is a complex and multicultural story. Often Toronto serves as a focal point for Black experience, but Black Canadian identity is so diverse from one region to another. Partnering with Black organizations and collectives outside of the city allows us to share these narratives and connect Black Communities to stories they may not have heard before. For Black History Month we are partnering with UPlift Black Arts, located in Barrie, ON to present an exhibition focusing on Black military history in Canada.
This exhibition puts a spotlight on Black military contributions, acknowledging those who worked in service to this country. Sharing these photographs and portraits is part of the greater struggle to challenge dominant Euro-Canadian historical national narratives. In presenting this exhibition, we examine the process of record keeping and the creation of national narratives
Virtual Talk: Dr. Cheryl Thompson & Janie Cooper Wilson
Virtual Artist Talk: Jacqui Cooke
Exhibition installation locations and dates:
Innisfil, ON
Innisfil ideaLAB & Library, Lakeshore Branch
967 Innisfil Beach Rd, Innisfil, ON
Starting February 23, 2022
Presented with the support of TD Bank. Special thank you to the team at Base Borden, the Simcoe County Archives, the Canadian War Museum, and The Grey Roots Archival Collection for supporting this exhibition.
Image: Private Norman Smith, “A” Company, 157th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1916. Courtesy of the Simcoe County Archives