New exhibit looks at end of slave trade
Display marks 200 years since historic act
A new exhibit on Bay Street takes a look at a dismal but often-ignored part of Ontario's history while paying homage to the changes that have led to progress in racial equality.
Tuesday, the provincial government unveiled the Ontario Bicentenary Exhibit, which commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act. The act, enacted in 1807, banned the illegal abduction and transatlantic transportation of slaves from Africa to Canada.
While the act did not mark the end of slavery as a whole, it was a key stepping stone toward emancipation. The Bay Street exhibit, which highlights several notable figures throughout the history of slavery in Canada, includes a vault with writings from slaves and other documents.
Former MPP Jean Augustine, who chaired the Ontario Bicentenary Commemorative Committee, said the exhibit brings to light parts of Canadian history that are often glossed over in traditional history texts.
"These things lost their way, were somehow omitted from the script that we all know," she said. "Because we have evidence and have unearthed so much, we can now factually state that this is our history."
Augustine said Canadians often overlook their country's own role in perpetuating the slave trade because of Canada's role with the underground railroad and because the education system focuses largely on early abolitionists who provided refuge to fleeing slaves.
"It's nice to feel that we're good people, but there is another side of this," she said.
She added the resilience shown by slaves in Canada's early days played a key part in the many successes enjoyed by African-Canadians today.
"When I entered politics in 1993, I was keenly aware that I was the first African-Canadian woman elected to parliament, but this was a journey that began 400 years (ago) or more," she said.
She said the strength exhibited by slaves in the face of terrible indignities should serve as an inspiration for young people today as they set out to make their own mark on the world.
"We want to say to young people, 'This is nothing to be ashamed of'," she said. "These were not just people who would take it lying down. We know their struggles ... we know the way they butted against the system."
Eglinton-Lawrence MPP and Citizenship and Immigration Minister Mike Colle joined Augustine in unveiling the Ontario Bicentenary Exhibit. He said the display will serve as a necessary reminder of the darker side of Canada's history.
"Tens of millions of women and men were abused, tortured and brought into these horrific circumstances and this went on all over the world for approximately 400 years," he said. "No one has taken the time to honour and give respect (to those who suffered) and to say how utterly wrong this all was."
Colle added the exhibit should be used as a learning tool that offer insight into all of our pasts.
"This is not black history, it's not the history of the people of one country, it's world history," he said.
He added the exhibit's location, on a busy section of Bay Street, between College and Wellesley streets, would make it readily available to those passing through the bustling downtown core.
The Ontario Bicentenary Exhibit will be on display at 880 Bay St. through Dec. 31.
