Did you know that there were Black voyageurs on the Ottawa River in the early days of the fur trade? Or that there were free Black people living in Argenteuil Township in 1790? Then come to the Arbor Gallery on Saturday, February 17 at 2 pm to learn more about the history of Afro-Canadians in Eastern Ontario and Western Québec.
This free lecture and discussion by local historian and storyteller Michelle Landriault of Vankleek Hill and Black History enthusiast Trudy Samuel of L’Orignal is part of the Arbor Gallery’s first celebration of Black History Month.
“The Black voyageurs were part of the Northwest Company out of Montréal who competed with the Hudson Bay Company in the heyday of the fur trade,” explains Landriault. “And the census of 1861 shows that there was a Black person living in Champlain Township at that time.”
A series of events
The talk will provide a brief introduction to Black Canadian history from the 17th to the 21st centuries and invite participants to learn more about this shared history. This event joins others held this month at the Arbor Gallery, including an exhibition of art by Afro-Canadian artists Dannielle Samuel, Héritier Bilaka and Dayva Milne which continues until February 25. Many of the vibrant paintings have already sold. The screening of the documentary film, The Legends of Madiba and a concert by Caribbean musicians Jab Djab rounds out the month-long celebration.
Arbor Gallery – Galerie Arbor is located at 36 Home Avenue, in the heart of Vankleek Hill. The gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 4pm. More information about programming and events is available on Arbor Gallery’s Facebook page, website or Twitter, by subscribing to the gallery’s newsletter at www.arborgallery.org or by email at [email protected].
