Black cowboy Ware recognized for place in western mythology
The federal government recognized John Ware, a Black cowboy in Western Canada, as a person of national historic significance at a ceremony on Monday at the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site.
At the historical site, south of Calgary, Ware was commemorated with the unveiling of a permanent plaque at the Saddle Horse Barn — which remains standing after he helped build it decades ago.
Ware was born into slavery and migrated to Canada, arriving in the district of Alberta in 1882 with the North West Cattle Co., which was driving thousands of cattle to the place now known as Bar U Ranch.
Ware worked at the Bar U Ranch as it was being established until 1884, breaking horses and building the barn.
With his wife, Mildred, and their children, Ware took on a ranch of his own and was a successful rancher in the face of racism and rough frontier conditions.
He was known for his generosity and skills as a cowboy. And it is his horsemanship, generosity and strength that secured his place in the mythology of the Canadian West, according to a news release from Parks Canada.
Janet Annesley, who nominated Ware for the designation, said in a news release that the country still has a lot to learn about the experiences of Canada's Black cowboys.
“The National Film Board's John Ware Reclaimed by Cheryl Foggo exposed some difficult aspects of Ware's story, ones we don't like to see because racism is out of line with our western Canadian values of freedom and merit,” said Annesley.
“I nominated John Ware as a positive reminder that anyone of any colour or background can have a place in Canada's story. Our rich diversity has never been a threat to who we are; it makes us who we are.”
Foggo, an author, playwright and filmmaker, also nominated Ware to highlight him and his family.
“It makes his accomplishments in agriculture and his skills as a horseman visible to all who will read this plaque, while honouring the complexity of his life and situation. It also simply acknowledges that he was here. We were, and are, here,” Foggo said.
The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada was created in 1919 to advise the minister of environment and climate change on people, places and events of national significance.
The designation process takes place under Parks Canada's National Program of Historical Commemoration and is driven by nominations. More than 2,200 designations have been made across the country.
The federal government has recognized more than 40 people, places and events that reflect the importance of Black Canadians to the country's history.
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault, who announced the designation of Ware on Monday, said he is pleased to commemorate the national historic significance of Ware for his embodiment of the resilience and strength of Black Canadians.
“Commemoration is about recognizing the many diverse aspects of our history. The government of Canada is committed to ensuring Canadians have the opportunity to learn about the full scope of our history,” said Guilbeault.