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Category: Political History

Map of North America showing Black migrations

Map of North America showing Black migrations

Black migrations to Canada from the United States took place largely between 1780 and 1863. A provision in Canada’s 1793 Act to Limit Slavery stated that any enslaved […]
James Douglas scouts the site for Fort Victoria

James Douglas scouts the site for Fort Victoria

John Adams is an author, historian, and he owns and operates a walking tour company “Discover The Past” that offers walking tours of Victoria. Location: On the south […]
Sir James Douglas, 1863. Governor of Vancouver Island (1851–64) and British Columbia (1858–64)

Sir James Douglas, 1863. Governor of Vancouver Island (1851–64) and British Columbia (1858–64)

Since 1851 James Douglas held 2 jobs, Chief Factor for the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), operating from Fort Victoria and Governor of the Crown Colony of Vancouver Island.  […]
Plaque commemorating the arrival of the Pioneer Committee on April 25, 1858

Plaque commemorating the arrival of the Pioneer Committee on April 25, 1858

The goal of the Pioneer Committee was to confirm that this British Colony was, as promised, a place where they could live without fear and live with equality […]
Courage, Hope, Anticipation, Confidence is reflected in the faces of these intrepid Black pioneers

Courage, Hope, Anticipation, Confidence is reflected in the faces of these intrepid Black pioneers

These are a few of the men, women and children who had an indelible effect on Colonial B.C. and the future of British Columbia. Top L-R: Nancy Lester:  […]
The Oath of Allegiance

The Oath of Allegiance

Only British subjects were eligible to vote in Legislative Assembly elections. This excluded the majority of Blacks who were neither British subjects, nor had become naturalized in another […]
Letter to Hannibal Hamlin, Vice President of the United States

Letter to Hannibal Hamlin, Vice President of the United States

Victoria, April 13, 1863 Sir: By order of the Committee of Colored Ladies of the British Colony of Victoria (V.I), please find enclosed a draft for £86 14s […]
Mifflin Wistar Gibbs, Person of National Historic Significance

Mifflin Wistar Gibbs, Person of National Historic Significance

On August 4, 2009 the Government of Canada recognized Gibbs as “A Person of National Historic Significance” and commissioned the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada to […]
Cover of Gibbs book “Shadow and Light, An Autobiography”

Cover of Gibbs book “Shadow and Light, An Autobiography”

Shadow and Light, An Autobiography. With Reminiscences of the Last and Present Century.” Published in 1902. In the preface Gibbs writes “During the late years abroad, while reading […]