In 1858, 800 black pioneers escaping racial persecution in San Francisco came to British Columbia in search of work and a safe place to raise their families. Now, more than 33,200 British Columbians trace their ancestry from Africa, contributing to B.C.’s culture of diversity.

February has been proclaimed Black History Month by the B.C. government in recognition of the important contributions these pioneers made to the development of our province.

Black History Month is an opportunity to acknowledge the historical and cultural contributions of black British Columbians. These early pioneers enriched the foundation of B.C. and many went on to play significant roles in politics, business, sports and the arts, including:

• Sir James Douglas, first governor of the Colony of British Columbia.
• Rosemary Brown, first Black woman elected to a Canadian provincial legislature.
• Harry Jerome, Olympic track athlete and recipient of the Order of Canada.
• Mifflin Wistar Gibbs, attorney, judge, diplomat and banker.
• Emery Barnes, politician and BC Lions athlete.
• Selwyn Romilly, B.C. Supreme Court judge.
• Joe Fortes, Vancouver’s first official lifeguard and respected public figure whose monument stands today in Alexandra Park.

A major chapter in the lives of many black people in B.C. is tightly aligned with many events in America, and in particular, the era of Abraham Lincoln.

In 1865, the government of the then Colony of Vancouver Island expressed its condolences upon learning of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the president who abolished slavery. On the 150th anniversary of his death, all British Columbians are invited to participate in the international commemoration of Lincoln's life. The B.C. government is collecting comments and stories throughout Black History Month to help inform a letter for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

Quotes:

Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism -

"Black History Month recognizes and celebrates the contributions of black pioneers on the culture of diversity B.C. enjoys today. I encourage all British Columbians to attend one of the many events being held throughout the province this month to learn more about this important aspect of our history.”

Dr. John Lutz, associate professor of History at University of Victoria -

“Historical knowledge enriches our understanding of regional politics, culture, and landscape — B.C. black pioneers put down roots in British Columbia in 1858 and Black History Month provides an opportunity for us to dive in and understand an important part of our history that not many British Columbians are aware of.”

Quick Facts:

• The precursor to Black History Month was created in 1926 in the United States, when the second week of February was announced as “Negro History Week”.
• This week was chosen partly because it coincided with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln on Feb. 12, a date which Black communities had celebrated since the late 19th century.
• Black History Month was first celebrated in the United States in February 1970.
• The celebration of Black History Month in Canada is relatively recent, recognized in December 1995.
• Black History Month has been proclaimed in B.C. nearly every year since 1996.

Learn More:

For Black History Month events in your community, see your local listings or go online: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/abrahamlincolnlegacy/events/

To find out more about B.C.’s early black pioneers: http://www.bcblackhistory.ca/​

To read more about the Abraham Lincoln Legacy project and engage with other British Columbians: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/abrahamlincolnlegacy/

If you have an event during Black History Month, please share the Abraham Lincoln Legacy project poster: http://ow.ly/Ifl0m

Click for the official proclamation: http://ow.ly/IzdCA

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of International Trade
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 356-7293