...and still I rise
In 2000, The Workers Arts and Heritage Centre, in partnership with the African Canadian Workers Advisory Committee, began the planning of a multi-media travelling exhibition that highlighted the contributions of Black Canadian workers to Ontario and to the Canadian struggle for human rights.
The exhibit comprised four railway cars, each with four windows through which one viewed the content of the exhibit (storyline text, images and artifacts). The original concept and design of the railway cars was created by Vilnis Design Works. Additional design elements gave the feel of being in a train station and walking through time and space. An audio component was later added to the exhibit.
The first three cars covered three distinct periods of the twentieth century in terms of their significance to Black Canadians: 1900-pre-World War II, World War II-1960s, and 1970-2000. A fourth train car presented a pictorial overview of the contributions and legacy of Black Canadians since their arrival on these shores in the 1600s. It was meant as a visual representation, with only an introductory text and headings for each window. The fourth window included a video of young African Canadians being interviewed about their issues and concerns. Not only did the exhibit illustrate the long climb up the job ladder over time, but more importantly, how the resistance and struggle of African Canadians for job opportunities and equal rights had an impact on Canadian society as a whole.
Apart from some minor changes to some of the language based on current usage, the exhibit stands as it did when it was launched in April 2003.
A teacher’s guide with lesson plans for Grades 8 and 10 was also developed and can be accessed in the Learning section below.
"...and still I rise"
African Canadian Workers in Ontario,
1900 – 2000
Whether as the architects of civilization in an ancient world or the backbone of the economy of the modern West, African people have played a pivotal role in world history.In Canada, as enslaved labourers and 19th century frontier builders, Black workers had been essential to the development of the country. By the turn of the 20th century, and with the changing tide of world events, they were no longer considered important to the Canadian workforce. Using the powerful symbol of the railroad train in African Canadian mythology, “…and still I rise” traces the story of the Black community in the 20th century – how it endured and how it fought back against the racism it faced. In their struggle for dignity and equality, people of African descent have helped to forge a better society for all Canadians. Explore this unique history for yourself in the four chapters below. Artwork by Roger Ferreira, 2003
At the end of the first three chapters, listen to a selection of audio segments that accompanied the original exhibition experience. The selections consist of music, interviews with notable African-Canadians, some storytelling and dub poetry and even hear a rare Vaudeville skit that was recorded in 1925.
Chapters
Explore
Learning
This Teacher’s Guide (PDF 508 KB) was designed by Natasha Henry and Adrienne Shadd in 2003 to meet the Ontario Curriculum expectations. The activities enable students to explore the ideas of community, work, discrimination, resistance, and justice still relevant today. The content focuses on Grades 8 and 10 History and include activities for younger students as well. While the emphasis is on Social Studies and History curriculum expectations, there are clear links to Language, The Arts, and Technology.
Credits
This virtual exhibition launched in 2021 as part of Hamilton 175, a digital commemoration of the 175th anniversary of Hamilton’s incorporation as a city.
Hamilton 175 would like to thank the following individuals and/or organizations for their invaluable contributions to the project (in alphabetical order):
- Adrienne Shadd
- Alyssa Gomori
- Florencia Berinstein
- Franca Hicks
- Kelly Dixon
- Maxine Carter
- Natasha Henry
- Roger Ferreira
Acknowledgments
The below list transcribes the Acknowledgements from 2003, recognizing the contributions of individuals and organizations that made the original exhibition possible.
Steering Committee:
- Carmen Henry, Co-Chair
- Gary Warner, Co-Chair
- Lennox Borel
- Maxine Carter
- Stanley Grizzle
- Janice Gairey
- Evelyn Myrie
- Neville Nunes
- Fleurette Osborne
- Eleanor Rodney
- Winston Tinglin
Curator:
- Adrienne Shadd
Project Manager:
- Renee Johnston
Design and Production Assistant:
- Roger Ferreira
Poster Concept and Artwork:
- Roger Ferreira
Youth video concept and videography:
- Leon Robinson
Research:
- Noreen Glasgow
- Richard Douglass-Chin
Education Writers/Developers:
- Natasha Henry
- Adrienne Shadd
Education Committee:
- Ericka Extavour, Marketing Assistant, Workers Arts and Heritage Centre, Hamilton, Ontario
- Evelyn Myrie, Columnist, Hamilton Spectator and Owner, Eman Fine Art Gallery, Hamilton
- Neville Nunes, Retired Educator, Hamilton-Wentworth Board of Education
- Fleurette Osborne, Consultant/Anti-Racism Trainer and Co-founder, Congress of Black Women of Canada
- Eleanor Wiltshire Rodney, Retired Educator and founder, African Caribbean Cultural Potpourri Inc. (ACCPI) Youth Scholarships and Caribbean Potpourri Youth Support Program
- Melissa Zielke, Curatorial Assistant, Workers Arts and Heritage Centre, Hamilton
Institutions that lent or donated materials (in alphabetical order):
- Shannon Prince, Buxton National Historic Site and Museum, North Buxton Tom Bullock, Canadian Auto Workers Local 512, Toronto
- Robert Fox, CUPE, Communications Branch, Ottawa Tanya Neave, Chatham-Kent Museum, Chatham City of Toronto Archives, Toronto
- Myron Sutton Collection, Concordia University Archives, Montreal Joan Hyslop, Grey County Museum, Owen Sound
- Special Collections, Hamilton Public Library, Hamilton Craig Campbell, Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto
- Allen and Bryan Walls, John Freeman Walls Historic Site, Puce Jennifer MacLeod, Marsh Collection Society, Amherstburg
- Moorland-Springarn Research Centre, Howard University, Washington, D.C. Multicultural History Society of Ontario, Toronto
- Daniel G. Hill Collection, National Archives of Canada, Ottawa National Film Board
- Elise Harding Davis and Heather Taylor, North American Black Historical Museum, Amherstburg
- Wilma Morrison, Norval Johnson Heritage Library, Niagara Falls McCurdy Collection, Ontario Archives, Toronto
- Ontario Black History Society, Toronto
- Arden Phair, St. Catharines Museum, St. Catharines Arnold Auguste, Share Newspaper, Toronto
- Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph
- Gwen Robinson and Spencer Alexander, Heritage Room, The Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society Centre, Chatham
- Photograph Collection, Windsor Star
- Ken Hernden, Toronto Telegram Collection, York University Archives
Individuals who donated materials:
From Hamilton:
- Lincoln Alexander
- Maxine Carter
- Jojo Chintoh
- Roger Ferreira
- Ray Lewis
- Evelyn Myrie
- Eleanor Rodney
- Gary Warner
From Toronto:
- Jim Braithwaite
- Neguss Demoz-Goshu
- Vera Cudjoe
- Patricia Gower
- Stanley G. Grizzle
- Carmen Henry
- Ada Jackson
- Bernice Johnson
- Eugene Miller
- Emmanuel Noudoukou
- Vincenzo Pietropaolo
In addition:
- Delva Bethune, Kingston Cheryl Burnett, London
- Alvin Duncan, Oakville
- Wilma P. Holas, Pan-African Publications, Ottawa
- Melba Jewell, Guelph
- Bonita Johnson de Matteis, R.R.#2 Kemble, Ontario
- Artis Lane, Los Angeles, California
- Jim Miller, Ottawa
- Lisa Rice, Dongan Hills, New York
Individuals who assisted with the obtaining of materials and/or information:
- Evie Auchinvole
- Virginia Boyce
- Fitzroy Greene
- Ron Jackson, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, Exhibition Place, Toronto
- Karen King, National Film Board
- Roger McTair
- Graham Rockingham, Hamilton Spectator
- Doris Skorpid
- Heather Wiley, Playwrights Guild of Canada
- Ginette Peters, Labour Studies Program, McMaster University
Audio Experience
Comedy Sketch (audio):
- “The New Professor” by Shelton Brooks; Recorded by Okey records; Courtesy of the Eugene Miller Jazz Collection, Toronto
Interviews:
- Eleanor Rodney
- Dr. Grace Edward Galabuzi
- Itah Sadu
- Jackie Washington
- Jim Braithwaite
- Joe Rhodes
- June Veecock
- Ray Lewis
- Stanley G. Grizzle
- Wilma Morrison
Musical numbers:
- “Cakewalk,” composed by Lou Hooper; Courtesy of the Eugene Miller Jazz Collection, Toronto
- “My Piece” poem and performance by Afua Cooper; Recorded at Slamm Productions, Toronto; Producer: Lazo; Executive Producer: Afua Cooper; Musicians: Lazo and Lambfal, Chorus: Lazo, Alex (Sty) LaRocque
- “O Holy Lord” composed by R. Nathaniel Dett; recorded by the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, Brainerd Blyden Taylor, artistic director; a Marquis Classics recording, Toronto, division of EMI Music Canada
- “That Sacred Spot,” composed by Hattie Rhue Hatchett
Research, Interviews, Writing and Narration:
- Adrienne Shadd
