A Continuing Journey

Bringing a neglected part of Canadian history to light

My interest in history goes back as far as I can remember. My father always turned to the news, encouraging my siblings and me to watch historical events, such as Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon and the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On my mother’s side, I am First Nations Mi’kmaq and a sixth-generation Canadian—a descendant of black loyalists who came to Nova Scotia beginning in 1783. On my father’s side, I am Welsh and a descendent of black refugees from the War of 1812. My true sense of self, however, is firmly entrenched in my identity as a black man.

I believe who I am and my life experience have given me a unique understanding and the