The nation of Canada has been built by many hands of different colours. Canada's diversity is what makes it strong and makes it the envy of the rest of the world. Today, Canada is a mosaic of many different cultures that have made significant contributions to the development of our great country. I'm here today to speak about the contributions made specifically by the African Canadian community and to ask that they be recognized in the celebration of Canada's 150th birthday.
People of African descent have been in Canada almost as long as the British and French have been. When the British and French first arrived in Canada, they brought their African slaves. Some of those enslaved Africans went on to become important heroes and heroines of our country. It would be a crime not to include the contributions of African Canadians in the 150th birthday celebration.
People of African descent have been some of the first settlers in many regions, from Nova Scotia to British Columbia.
Mathieu Da Costa was an interpreter for the French explorers to Canada in the early 1600s.
Rose Fortune came to Nova Scotia in 1783 and later became the first female police officer in Canada.
Richard Pierpoint was an African slave from Senegal who helped form the first all-black military unit that fought during the War of 1812 to protect Canadian soil. Richard Pierpoint was one of a group of Canadians who were some of the first settlers in southern Ontario.
Mary Ann Shadd was the first woman of African descent to publish a newspaper in North America and started the first integrated school in Canada in 1852.
In June 1858, Mifflin Gibbs arrived in the city of Victoria, on Vancouver Island. Gibbs opened a general store, and the business was the first challenger for the Hudson's Bay Company in Victoria. In 1866, Mifflin Gibbs was the first black representative elected to the Victoria city council and the first black politician in Canada.
Sir James Douglas was the first Governor of British Columbia and has been called, the father of British Columbia. Governor Douglas's mother was of African descent. In 1861, Sir James Douglas helped form an all-black regiment called the Victoria Rifles, the first military defence unit in British Columbia.
Elijah McCoy was born in Colchester, Ontario, in 1844. He became one of the most prolific inventors in North America, and it is from him that we get the expression, “the real McCoy”. In 1872, McCoy created his greatest invention, the automatic lubricating cup for steam engines, which revolutionized railway transportation. Elijah McCoy was known throughout the world. His inventions were used on engines, on train locomotives, on Great Lakes steam ships, on ocean liners, and on machinery in factories. Today, his lubrication process is used in machinery such as cars, locomotives, ships, rockets, and many other types of machinery. McCoy is credited with having helped modernize the industrial world with his inventions.
With such a long, prestigious, and rich history, African Canadians' contributions to Canada and the world must not be overlooked in the 150th birthday celebration.
This is my recommendation: that the theme of the 150th birthday anniversary be “We are one”.
One of the legacy projects for the 150th birthday of Canada could be the creation of a permanent national African Canadian museum. To limit costs, this museum could be created in an existing building, possibly in Toronto, Halifax, or Ottawa.
There are several strategies on how to develop this national museum. The Canadian War Museum could be used as a possible model.
Once the location of the museum has been selected, the Government of Canada could partner with local municipal and provincial governments to secure a venue or building for the museum. Provincial departments such as the ministry of tourism and culture and the ministry of education are possible provincial partners.
Private sector sponsorships and partnerships could be selected for the project. Banks, oil companies, and automobile companies could all be approached to help sponsor the museum.
Petro-Canada and Ford Canada may want to sponsor an Elijah McCoy exhibit in the museum because both of these companies have utilized his invention.
African Canadians have a long and rich history in the Canadian military. The Department of National Defence could possibly help sponsor this exhibit.
Black History Month is one of the biggest celebrations in schools. The national museum could offer educational tours for schools and students.
People of African descent have endured oppression because of slavery for over 200 years in this country. For hundreds of years they've been subjected to inhumane atrocities, to segregation, being barred from enlistment in the Canadian military by the federal government in the First World War and the Second World War, and being denied employment, which prevented them from pursuing their dreams and aspirations. The least the Canadian government could do on the 150th anniversary is to recognize the significant contributions of the African Canadian community by a legacy project creating a national museum.
Thank you.