Contact(s)
February is Black History Month
At this time, and throughout the year, Orillia stands with all levels of government in acknowledging, honouring and celebrating the important and enduring contributions of Black Canadians to the social and economic fabric of our community.
To help residents connect with resources and experiences, the City has compiled this web page on various initiatives and resources on Black history and culture within the region and country. Much of the information is from external sources and partner organizations, and will be updated as it becomes available.
Activities
Individuals and organizations offering experiential activities to the public, such as workshops, classes, festivals and other large or small scale events, are invited to send us details to promote on this webpage. You are also welcome to add your event to the City’s events calendar at https://calendar.orillia.ca/.
Listings should include the following:
- Name of Activity
- Short description
- Date(s)
- Time(s)
- Contact or registration details
- Webpage
| February 4, 2023 - 5:00 p.m. |
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Creative Nomad Studios, 23 Mississaga Street W. Reserve a spot, pay what you can
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| February 15, 2023 - 7:00 p.m. |
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OMAH Virtual History Speaker Series - Guest Speaker: Paul Barber
The OMAH History Speaker Series continues virtually via ZOOM. Join us to hear Paul Barber on From Virginia to Canada: The Journey of My Black Ancestors While breaking down his ancestral brick wall, which had him stumped for almost thirty years, Paul Barber, a Caucasian born and raised Canadian, found out that his through his maternal side, the Hendersons, he was part of African-American history. Join us to hear Paul Barber recount the family journey that led him to Orillia where, the Hendersons, who made their way to Canada in 1840, played a contributing role in the history of our community. To receive a link to the talk visit: http://www.orilliamuseum.org/1-23 or call Monica at 705 326 2159. |
| Friday, February 17, 2023 - 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. |
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Simcoe County Virtual Speaker Series Kamilah Gure, “Navigating Spaces within Academia and My Community"
Kamilah Gure, an M.A. Candidate at Lakehead University, will speak about her journey through academia as a Black woman, how she arrived at her research on equitable leadership and found her passion in community organizing. Kamilah Gure is a graduate of the University of Ottawa. From a young age, she immersed herself in various community-organizing initiatives in her hometown of St. Catharines. As a Black woman, Kamilah found that it was rare to see representation and leadership that looked like her. Community organizing has grown to be a central part of her identity. Over the last few years, Kamilah has striven to not only become a strong leader within the communities she is a part of, but also to teach others how to be strong leaders in their communities as well. Her current research and community work is centered on what equitable leadership looks like and how we can emulate strong leadership qualities to make our communities and workspaces more inclusive. |
| February 18, 2023 - 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. |
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Mosaic of Black Culture Orillia Public Library, 36 Mississaga St W.
The Mosaic of Black Culture is a family event created by Making Change that is interactive and features live steel pan music, a make your own steel pan craft and an overview of Black History from a local Canadian perspective. Attendees will hear traditional Caribbean music provided by award-winning steel pan performer, Pan Fyah. Youth can try the steel pan themselves and also create their own drum to take home in this is a fun-filled family event. The event will also share an engaging overview of local Black History presented by Making Change speaker Debbie Opoku-Mulder. These events are possible because of sponsorship support from: Alectra Utilities, Wasaga Beach Public Library, Orillia Public Library, City of Orillia, Innisfil ideaLAB & Library, MacLaren Art Centre and the City of Barrie/Creative Barrie.
Admission is free; preregistration is required. |
| February 24, 2023 |
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Members of the Leacock Museum’s Mariposa Literary Society are currently reading “The Son of the House” by Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onuobia for their February 24th meeting. The story follows two women in Nigeria who, during their time being held for ransom, discover that their life journeys are actually connected.” For details on the club, visit the Museum's Programs and Events page. |
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February 24, 2023 - 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. |
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Simcoe County Virtual Speaker Series Dr. Barrington Walker, “Slavery and Emancipation in Canada" Dr. Barrington Walker is Professor of History at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, where he is also the inaugural Associate Vice President of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. He is a specialist in the fields of Black Canadian history, race and the racial state, law and immigration. He is the author of Race on Trial: Black Defendants in Ontario's Criminal Courts 1858-1958 (2010). |
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February 27, 2023 - 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. |
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Simcoe County Virtual Speaker Series Janie Cooper-Wilson, “Boots on the Ground: In the Public Interest"
Janie's presentation will provide the audience with a brief overview of how her decades-long career and experiences as a Historian, Archival Researcher and Investigative Field Worker may be utilized to bring about greater insight into the lives of Ontario's early African Canadians; the historical perceptions of their value as citizens; the role they played in the formation of our Province; and how the final resting places of these courageous Black Pioneers are dealt with in today's society. The audience will be motivated to ask themselves, “What is in the public interest, and how do we want our Ancestors remembered?"
Janie Cooper-Wilson has had a lifelong passion for history and has dedicated her adult life to researching and documenting the history of Black Ontarians. She is a strong advocate for the preservation of Ontario's endangered historical buildings and early cemeteries. Janie is the Founder and Executive Director of the SilverShoe Historical Society and a Director of the Ontario Historical Society. Her roles at the OHS include Field Representative for Simcoe and Grey Counties and Co-Chair of the Cemetery Preservation and Defence Committee. Over her long career, Janie has authored numerous articles and publications. She was the driving force behind the restoration and heritage designation of the Bethel Union and Old Zion Presbyterian Cemeteries in Clearview and was the face of the intense public relations initiative to preserve the Oro A.M.E. Church National Historic Site. Her many awards include the Ontario Historical Society's 2012 Carnochan Award, the Orillia Museum of Art and History's 2015 Historic Reconstruction Award and the Ontario Black History Society's 2018 Harriet Tubman Award. Presently, Janie continues her efforts to assist families attempting to locate their hereditary links to long-lost ancestors and is attempting to save several crucial Black History Sites in Haldimand County from obliteration. |
| February 28, 2023 - 7:00 p.m. |
CFUW Virtual Speaker Series - Guest Speaker: Dr. Rita Shelton Deverell, C.M., Ed. D. Join us to hear Dr. Rita Shelton Deverell on The Power of Wrinkles Dr. Rita Shelton Deverell, C.M., Ed. D. is a theatre artist, professional performer, teacher, independent television producer/director, a founder of Vision TV and is currently the 10th Chancellor at Lakehead University. She has received numerous awards including the Order of Canada in 2005 with the citation saying in part, “Rita Deverell’s career in journalism has been one of pioneering innovation and creativity. With an unceasing drive for social justice, she is one of the first Black women in Canada to be a television host and a network executive… An inspiring mentor and teacher, she serves as a role model for young journalists and audiences alike.” Dr. Deverell will share with us her trials, tribulations and successes on her journey to becoming Lakehead’s 10th Chancellor.
This event is open to CFUW Orillia members, a dynamic non-profit organization for all women who are looking to make new friends committed to life-long learning, advocacy, social justice, and equality. For more visit https://www.cfuworillia.org or email cfuworillia@gmail.com. |
Resources
The City is curating a list of resources to make it easy for residents to explore the rich history and stories of Black Canadians, both past and present. Links external to the City of Orillia have been sourced specifically for their relevancy and may contain mature subject matter. Should you have suggestions for content, please forward them to the Manager of Culture.
| From Orillia Matters: Orillia man strives to be a 'good Black role model' | ||||||
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Noah Erskine reflects on his time in Orillia as he looks to relocate to Brisbane for his PhD. |
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| From Orillia Today: Orillia Celebrates Black History Month | ||||||
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Tshweu Moleme looks at 2022 events and activities. |
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| From the Barrie Today: Racism in Canada: Orillia Native Dexter Bullen's Story | ||||||
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Bullen describes his experiences with racism in a predominantly white community. |
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| From Our Digital World: Ontario Black History | ||||||
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OurDigitalWorld's exhibits are made up of materials brought online by a number of community organizations around the province, including libraries, archives, historical societies, museums, galleries, clubs and associations, and other interest groups. |
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| From the Canadian Encyclopedia: Black History in Canada | ||||||
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Quizzes, photo and videos galleries, timelines and more can be found in this collection on Black history. |
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| From the Archives of Simcoe County: The Black Settlement in Oro Township | ||||||
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This online exhibit provides some background on land grants in Simcoe County and discusses the extent and nature of the settlement along Wilberforce Street. |
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| From Canada's Historic Places: the Oreo African Methodist Episcopal Church | ||||||
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This National Historic Site is located on Line 3 N. of Oro-Medonte and was built in 1840s by the area's Black community. This important landmark was lovingly restored with support from across Canada and the US, and reopened its doors on Aug 19, 2016. Click here to visit Canada's Historic Places web site. The photos below were provided by the Municipality of Oro-Medonte. More on the history of the Church can be found on their website.
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| From Orillia Matters - The Lost Heroes of Oro | ||||||
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Richard Varty interviews local artist and creator of The Lost Heroes of Oro, Alinka Angelova-May. |
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| Noteworthy historical figures | ||||||
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The Government of Canada's Department of Canadian Heritage has compiled biographies of some notable Black Canadians who have helped shape Canadian heritage and identity, and who have made and continue to make enormous contributions to the well being, and prosperity of our country. Click here to visit their web page. Who are our local heroes? Send us yours to the Manager of Culture. |
Other Resources
Being Black in Canada - A CBC project sharing the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community.
Making Change - Making Change’s GOAL is to spark broad community interest and foster conversations around inclusion and diversity. They have a specific focus on raising awareness and educating and exposing people to Black communities, Black cultures, and issues around anti-Black racism. They are building community inclusion and togetherness through activities, allyship, participation and discussion.
UPLift Black - UPlift Black is a social impact agency working to UPlift the Black community who live in Simcoe County. Our work is culturally based and anchored in 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusivity striving to achieve the ultimate goal of racial equity through a conscious and UPlifted community
Lakehead University (LU) has the Office of Human Rights and Equity and LU International that offers activities and resources supporting, growing and celebrating its diversity student population.
Ontario Black History Society - The Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) is a registered Canadian charity, dedicated to the study, preservation and promotion of Black History and heritage.
Welcome Home Program - The City of Orillia has compiled information and resources to help welcome newcomers to the area.
