Social History Archives | British Columbia’s Black Pioneers

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 […]

“I greatly admire Mifflin Gibbs” – Ron Nicholson

Ron Nicholson, long-term member including serving on the Board of the BC Black History Awareness Society, in interview format. Location: Ron is seated in the Mifflin Wistar Gibbs […]

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 […]

“There are ample examples of discrimination”

Ron Nicholson, long-time member including serving on the Board of the BC Black History Awareness Society, in interview format. Location: Ron is seated on a park Bench at […]

The House that John Built: 1860’s construction techniques and gas lighting

Interview with Linda and Davyd, the current owners of the house. Davyd completed the house restoration work. Location: Linda and Davyd are standing on the sidewalk, at the […]

The Fort Victoria Brick Project Commemorates Black Pioneers

In 1986 the City of Victoria undertook The Fort Victoria Brick Project to commemorate early Victoria pioneers and settlers. A double row of 1000 bricks was laid from […]

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. […]

The arrival of these Black Pioneers in 1858 is designated as a National Historic Event

This plaque was commissioned by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and was unveiled on February 20, 2000 at the Shady Creek United Church (now Central […]

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

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

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

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 […]