The Way It Was: Honouring Black Canadians In Sandwich Towne

THE WAY IT WAS Courage And Faith Shaped A Life, Strength Of Fellowship Built A Community

By Andrea Grimes

In 1793, a bill presented to the government to abolish slavery was unanimously passed in Upper Canada. News of this historymaking event quickly travelled throughout the plantations of the southern United States, in spite of the zealous efforts of the aristocratic “gentry” to put a halt to spreading the word.

Many Black American slaves (held in bondage) and suffering insurmountable hardships at the hands of their unrelenting owners, looked to Canada as a place of freedom. With determination and resolve and whatever resources they had within their reach, many were driven to escape the only life they had ever known and did so through courage, faith and a promise for a better life for their families.

In fear of being captured by bounty hunters, many Black slaves travelled through fields and swamps under the dark of the night.

With a one-way ticket to their name, they stepped aboard the “Underground Railway” — a systematic travel network engineered by a crew of “conductors” who delivered passengers “en route” from one station to another.

The North Star served as a celestial guide to their freedom destination, with many Black slaves landing in Sandwich, Ontario to stake out their lands, ply their trades and contribute to this community along the south shores of the Detroit River.

“Sandwich, Ontario has been a diverse community from its earliest beginnings. Refugee slaves, pioneers and oppressed free Black families flocked to Sandwich, a major terminus on the fabled Underground Railroad, to seek freedom and to enjoy independent and fulfilling lives contributing to Canada’s cultural identity,” says Elise Harding-Davis, African Canadian Heritage Consultant and Author. “In keeping with a tradition of uplifting those who came before us, generations of Black Canadians represent the Black Thread in the Canadian Tapestry.”

History has shown that many Black Canadians, of all walks of life, have been recognized and appreciated for passionately moving forward as staunch advocates for justice, equality and inclusion. This commitment not only shapes our nation as a leader in social reform, it also serves to foster a deeper understanding of the importance of respecting cultural diversity, which defines who we are as Canadians.

In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as “Black History Month” in Canada, following a motion introduced by the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, the Honourable Jean Augustine. The motion was carried unanimously by the House of Commons (Refer to: Canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/ campaigns/black-history-month/about.html).

To commemorate “Black History Month,” the City of Windsor re-dedicated the Sandwich Towne Murals on February 14, 2020 in Paterson Park (in proximity to the Sandwich gateway arch) in Windsor. The ceremony recognized 16 local distinguished and prominent Black Canadian “trailblazers” (more details on: Windsor-Communities.com/ african-sites-murals.php#sandwich) with some family descendants in attendance.

The Sandwich Towne murals are now located in Paterson Park, Windsor. The initial unveiling of the murals honouring our local Black Canadians, took place during the “Olde Sandwich Towne Festival” on September 15, 2008. Photo courtesy of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island.

Ward 2 City of Windsor Councillor Fabio Costante states: “It is integral for this generation (especially our youth) and those to follow, to be introduced to the diverse and proud history of our Black Canadian pioneers, recognizing their struggles, hardships and sacrifice; more so their achievements, accomplishments and contributions made, enriching the eco-social fabric of our community. I am thankful for the support of our community, City Administration, and my colleagues on City Council for making this chapter of Windsor’s history a reality.”

The significance in recognizing the depth of our Black Canadian heritage — engaging cultural competency, is reflected through this quote by the late William Hull VC (Black Canadian Navy Veteran 1827-1904), “We go on and on about our differences. But, you know, our differences are less important than our similarities. People have a lot in common with one another, whether they see that or not.” As a civilian Veterans Advocate, Andrea Grimes was presented with the “Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal” and the “Governor General’s Medal” recognizing her volunteer service to Veterans and the military families of our Canadian Armed Forces, as well as with military family service-support organizations to include, North Wall Riders Association, Windsor Veterans Memorial Service Committee, Military Institute of Windsor, the Royal Canadian Naval Association, the Korean War Veterans Association and the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association.