Diversity, Identity & The Future · Term 4

Black Canadian History & Resistance

Exploring the history of Black Canadians and the fight against systemic racism.

About This Topic

Black Canadian history is a story of both profound contribution and persistent resistance against systemic racism. This topic explores the long presence of Black people in Canada, from the early settlers and Loyalists to the Underground Railroad and the growth of vibrant communities like Africville. Students examine the work of activists like Viola Desmond, who challenged segregation in Nova Scotia, and the ongoing fight for civil rights and racial justice.

The curriculum focuses on how systemic racism has manifested in Canadian institutions, including the justice system, education, and the workforce. Students investigate the significance of modern movements like Black Lives Matter and the role of Black Canadians in shaping the country's culture, politics, and economy. This topic benefits from analyzing primary sources and collaborative investigations into 'hidden' histories. Students grasp the importance of this history faster through peer-led discussions and by reflecting on the ongoing need for anti-racism action in Canada.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze primary source documents to explain the historical significance of key figures like Viola Desmond in Canadian civil rights.
• Evaluate the impact of systemic racism on the development of Black Canadian communities and institutions.
• Compare and contrast the goals and strategies of different Black activist movements in Canada throughout history.
• Critique the representation of Black Canadians in historical narratives and media.
• Synthesize information from various sources to propose anti-racist actions relevant to contemporary Canadian society.

Before You Start

Early Canadian Settlement and Indigenous Relations

Why: Understanding the initial European settlement patterns and interactions with Indigenous peoples provides context for the arrival and establishment of Black communities in Canada.

The British North America Act and Confederation

Why: Knowledge of Canada's foundational legal and political structures is necessary to analyze how systemic racism was embedded within institutions from the outset.

Key Vocabulary

Systemic Racism	Policies and practices embedded within institutions that result in differential treatment and outcomes for racial groups, often without overt discriminatory intent.
Civil Rights Movement (Canada)	A series of organized efforts by Black Canadians to challenge racial segregation, discrimination, and inequality, seeking equal rights and opportunities.
Africville	A historic Black community in Halifax, Nova Scotia, known for its vibrant culture and the eventual forced relocation of its residents.
Underground Railroad	A network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved African Americans to escape to free states and Canada, with significant Black Canadian involvement in assisting fugitives.
Black Lives Matter (Canada)	A decentralized political and social movement advocating for non-violent civil disobedience against violence and systemic racism toward Black people, with specific Canadian chapters and focuses.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Story of Africville

In small groups, students research the history of Africville, a Black community in Halifax that was destroyed by the city in the 1960s. They identify the reasons for its destruction and the long struggle for an apology and compensation, discussing the impact of systemic racism on community life.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Think-Pair-Share: Viola Desmond's Legacy

Students read about Viola Desmond's 1946 protest against segregation in a movie theater. They discuss with a partner why she is now featured on the $10 bill and what her story reveals about the history of racism in Canada compared to the United States.

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Stations Rotation: Black Excellence and Resistance

Set up stations on Black Canadian leaders in different fields (e.g., Lincoln Alexander, Rosemary Brown, Oscar Peterson). At each station, students identify their achievements and the barriers they overcame, noting the diversity of the Black Canadian experience.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Real-World Connections

Historians and archivists at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights work to uncover and preserve the stories of Black Canadians, ensuring these narratives are accessible for educational and public engagement.

Urban planners and community organizers in cities like Toronto and Montreal collaborate with Black community leaders to address issues of housing discrimination and equitable access to services, drawing lessons from historical community development.

Legal professionals specializing in human rights law may consult historical precedents of civil rights struggles in Canada, such as the legal challenges brought by figures like Viola Desmond, when advocating for clients facing discrimination.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Racism and segregation only happened in the United States.

What to Teach Instead

Canada has its own history of segregated schools, theaters, and housing, as well as systemic racism in its laws and institutions. Peer research into 'segregation in Canada' helps students see that racism is a national issue, not just an American one.

Common Misconception

The Black community in Canada is a recent immigrant group.

What to Teach Instead

Black people have been in Canada for over 400 years and were among the earliest non-Indigenous settlers. Using a 'Black History Timeline' helps students see the long and deep roots of Black Canadians in the country's history.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'How did the experiences of Black Loyalists differ from those who arrived via the Underground Railroad, and what does this tell us about the evolving challenges and forms of resistance?' Facilitate a small group discussion, asking students to cite specific historical examples to support their points.

Quick Check

Present students with a short excerpt from a primary source document (e.g., a letter from an early Black settler, a newspaper clipping about segregation). Ask them to identify one specific challenge faced by Black Canadians mentioned in the text and one potential form of resistance implied or stated.

Exit Ticket

On an index card, ask students to write the name of one Black Canadian historical figure or community discussed and explain in 1-2 sentences their primary contribution or significance to Canadian history. Then, ask them to list one contemporary issue in Canada where the legacy of historical racism is still evident.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Viola Desmond?

She was a Black businesswoman from Nova Scotia who was arrested in 1946 for refusing to leave a 'whites-only' section of a movie theater. Her case became a catalyst for the civil rights movement in Canada and she is now honored on the Canadian $10 bill.

What was Africville?

Africville was a historic Black community in Halifax that was neglected by the city and eventually demolished in the 1960s to make way for industrial development. It has become a symbol of systemic racism and the displacement of Black Canadians.

How has systemic racism affected Black Canadians?

It has manifested in many ways, including higher rates of poverty, overrepresentation in the justice system, and barriers to employment and leadership roles. Modern movements continue to fight for policy changes to address these deep-seated inequalities.

How can active learning help students understand Black Canadian history?

Active learning strategies, such as investigating the story of Africville and analyzing the work of Black leaders, help students understand the systemic and personal dimensions of the Black experience in Canada. By engaging with the history of both struggle and achievement, students move beyond seeing Black history as just a 'sidebar' to seeing it as a central and vital part of the Canadian story. This hands-on approach fosters a deeper understanding of the importance of anti-racism and the ongoing work of building a truly just society.