1

Oklahoma on its way to becoming a state in 1907 became an oppressive place for blacks to live. Many blacks had been free for generations, living and working off the land that was once called "Indian Country". But with the creation of a state from these free lands also came new Jim Crow laws that began to deny blacks basic freedoms.

2

Phyllis Day and Slaughter
1907
Breton, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Breton Museum

3

Jim Crow laws saw the introduction of separate living areas for blacks and whites. Many restrictions were placed on blacks and they had limited access to public services.

4

Bus Station Durham, North Carolina
1940
Oklahoma, USA

Credits:
"At the bus station in Durham, North Carolina." May 1940, Jack Delano.

5

At the same time newspapers in Oklahoma promoted Alberta as the " Home of the Coloured Race". These ads bought by the Canadian government advertised that for $10 you could get a quarter section of land (160 acres).

6

An early land tax assessment
circa 1917
Keystone, Alberta, Canada

7

This was attractive to many black farmers and around 1909; the first group of black settlers from the USA came to the area and called the community Keystone.

8

Group of early black settlers
circa 1909
Keystone, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Breton Museum

9

The Keystone community was one of four rural communities in Alberta established by African Americans.

10

Map of black settlements in Alberta
1909
Keystone, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Breton Museum

11

William Allen and his family were among the first black settlers in Keystone. Once they got here, they encouraged other black families from Oklahoma, that Keystone would be an ideal place to make a new home.

12

Brisco Homestead one if the first in the Keystone area - SE14- 48 - 4 -W5
circa 1912
Keystone, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Breton Museum

13

Before they could receive title or (patent) for the property, settlers were required to construct a house, live on the homestead for a portion of the year, and clear 40 acres in three years.

14

Map of early settlers land locations
circa 1930
Keystone, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Lloyd Ellis