Rosemary Sadlier & Jojo Chintoh August 1st 2014 marked the 180 anniversary of the abolishment of slavery throughout the British Empire, including Canada, when the British Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act that took effect on August 1, 1834. On that date Emancipation Day celebrations occurred which continue today throughout the Caribbean, South Africa and parts of Canada. One of the earliest recorded Emancipation Day celebrations held in Upper Canada (Ontario) was the Emancipation Day Parade in Amherstburg, Ontario on August 1, 1894. This famous photo taken by John Lasruck, appears on the cover of the book “An Enduring Heritage Black Contributions to Early Ontario.” (A picture of the AME Cemetery in Otterville is on page 42.)
By Roger Riendeau, Dundurn Press Limited
The Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) hosted an Emancipation Day Celebrations at Queen’s Park with Freedom Words. Former Citytv Television Journalist Jojo Chintoh hosted the event which featured local up and coming performers and authors like: singers Diana Braithwaite and Annastacia Smith-Richards, authors Mutendei Akhaya Nabutete and Fiona Clarke and poet Nadine Williams. Radio Announcer Neil Armstrong played a short interview with the late Dr. Maya Angelou from 2003 as a tribute to her passing.
Throughout the two-hour event, Jojo Chintoh illustrated his knowledge of Black history with his many tidbits of information and personal stories. He cited that some people have forgotten our history. When we celebrate Emancipation Day we celebrate history and freedom. Emancipation Day was like Christmas Day for black folks but today many don’t know about it. We have made contributions to this country rather than complain we should write our history. He empathized about securing funds to build a Black Museum in Toronto.
Mr. Chintoh is a stanch supporter of OBHS and informed the crowd of their upcoming events like the Freedom Ride Bus Tour to St. Catharines on August 23, 2014 that will retrace the history of Harriet Tubman and visit the “Big Picnic” tour museums in St. Catharines and Niagara Falls. From March 2 to 7, 2015 along with Integrity Tours, OBHS will be presenting the Long Walk to Freedom Tour.
Throughout the two-hour event, Jojo Chintoh illustrated his knowledge of Black history with his many tidbits of information and personal stories. He cited that some people have forgotten our history. When we celebrate Emancipation Day we celebrate history and freedom. Emancipation Day was like Christmas Day for black folks but today many don’t know about it. We have made contributions to this country rather than complain we should write our history. He empathized about securing funds to build a Black Museum in Toronto.
Mr. Chintoh is a stanch supporter of OBHS and informed the crowd of their upcoming events like the Freedom Ride Bus Tour to St. Catharines on August 23, 2014 that will retrace the history of Harriet Tubman and visit the “Big Picnic” tour museums in St. Catharines and Niagara Falls. From March 2 to 7, 2015 along with Integrity Tours, OBHS will be presenting the Long Walk to Freedom Tour.
An once-in-a-lifetime tour focusing on the role Nelson Mandela had in South Africa as well as the history, heritage and culture. The Emancipation Day Celebrations were followed by a reception where cake was served. The President of OBHS Rosemary Sadiler talked to the invited participants and took pictures with the guests.
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