(Note: Non-affiliated links)

A momentous event occurred on Sunday Oct. 1, 2023, when a commemorative plaque was unveiled for Richard Pierpoint at the lovely Fergus Grand Theatre in Wellington County, just north of Guelph, Ont. One may ask who is Richard Pierpoint? The reason for this plaque is to ensure all Canadians know who this distinguished trailblazer and community leader was who left a significant mark in Canadian history. 

Entering the theatre, six display boards highlighted the story of Richard Pierpoint. How in 1760, a 16-year-old boy was captured in West Africa, the Bundu Region now Senegal, taken to America via the Middle Passage where he was sold into slavery to a British soldier for 20 years. Pierpoint served with the Butler’s Rangers Regiment in the American Revolutionary War (1775 to 1783) and received 200 acres of land from the British Crown, in Grantham Township now St. Catharines, Ont., where he lived until 1806.

During the War of 1812, Pierpoint petitioned the Canadian government to create and lead a Corps of Coloured Men. The request was denied but the Canadian militia company was created lead by a White tavern owner, Robert Runchey, known as Captain Runchey’s Company of Coloured Men. Despite being close to 70, Pierpoint joined the Corps as a Private. Following the war, he once again received a land grant of 100 acres for his war effort. This time in the wild and unsettled Garafraxa area now Fergus Ont.

Pierpoint’s goal was to return home to his birthplace. He therefore petitioned the government outlining his life as an enslaved man and loyal solider. However, his request was denied. Richard Pierpoint died at the age of 94 in Sept. 1838. It is believed that he was buried on his land where John Black Public School is located in Fergus. ​

​Dr. Richard Alway, Chair of Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) was the MC for this event to a small crowd, who introduced female students from John Black Public School, to sing the national anthem. He cited; “it was fitting for the students to sing as their school is near the Richard Pierpoint Fly Fishing Nature Reserve where the plaque will be installed.” 

​Dr. Alway then introduced the distinguished guests: Guelph Liberal MP Lloyd Longfield; Millicent Gordon, President of the Centre Wellington Black Committee; Rosemary Sadlier, former President of Ontario Black History Society and Clifton Joseph, Spoken Word Poet.

“History is to a nation as memory is to the individual,” Dr. Always cited. He provided a brief history of The Historic sites and Monuments Board of Canada which began in 1919, to protect Canadian natural and cultural heritage be that places, people, sites and events. The most significant historic sites are commemorated with a bronze plaque on a stone cairn. In 2020, Parks Canada designated Pierpoint as a national historic person which HSMBC approved in 2021. Richard Pierpoint will be added as a historic individual “to the attention of all Canadians” Dr. Alway said.

Guelph Liberal MP Lloyd Longfield, spoke on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, who identified that the story of Richard Pierpoint was documented of his life in war and peace which described how Blacks in Canada endured hardships in the 1880s.  He went on to say that the history of Blacks as well as Indigenous needs to be mentioned. “We have a long way to go.” He reiterated Pierpont’s history and stated that the Richard Pierpoint Fly Fishing Nature Reserve is the area where Pierpoint was first granted land. ““It’s through designations like these that we can cast a light on the diversity of our nation’s history.” 

Millicent Gordon, founder and president of Centre Wellington Black Committee (CWBC) spoke next. She explained how Richard Pierpoint, one of Canada’s greatest community leaders is finally being honoured who founded the Pierpoint Settlement of early African Canadian settlers in this area. His story of enslavement, solider and community leader is all recorded which was lost through slavery and colonization.
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It is the account of his life that inspired Gordon: “He was a true and committed leader who used his own land not for gain but to establish a settlement for the formally enslaved people from both the U.S. and Canada. He wanted to return home to visit with his family in West Africa.” CWBC wrote a proposal to the Upper Grand District School Board to name a school in Richard Pierpoint’s honour. Gordon stated it is “a proud day for Fergus and Canada” with the recognition of the commemorative plaque for Pierpont. ​

Historian, Author and Past President of the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) who initiated the celebration of Black History Month and Emancipation Day, Rosemary Sadlier, reported that “this historic occasion comes 185 years after his [Richard Pierpoint’s] death. This significant commemoration of Black history, we long for an understanding of we are.” Sadlier chronicled Pierpoint’s life: “In his 50s Pierpont supported himself as a labour. In 1812 he took up the call to service. How precious was freedom to a former slave?" He cleared five acres of land and erected a house. He founded and erected Fergus. Richard Pierpont died in Dec. 1938.

International known Dub and Poet-at-large Clifton Joseph presented his reinterpretation of the 1821 letter Richard Pierpoint petitioned to the Canadian Government to return to his native home in Bundu.

​Joseph received a standing ovation after his performance. Dr. Alway then invited the distinguished guests to unveil the plaque, 

Following the presentations, refreshments, provided by Fergies Fine Foods, was available to the audience including vegan chocolate chip cookies made by Sweets from the Earth. Delicious! I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit to the quaint town of Fergus which is comparable to the Village of Elora with its old limestone buildings near a river. I hope to return when the Richard Pierpoint plaque is placed at the Pierpoint Fly Fishing Nature Reserve also known as the Richard Pierpoint Park.

​Downtown Fergus
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 (Photos by Heather A. Rennalls)

Related Links:

•  Pierpoint Settlement Research Project Interpretation Framework
• Richard Pierpoint   
• Richard Pierpoint (c. 1744–c. 1838)​
• Richard Pierpoint National Historic Person (c. 1744–c. 1838)​

Quote: "I was born a free man and I intend to die one. Your officers fight for land and money. I fight for my freedom." ~ Richard Pierpoint 

(Note: non-affiliate links)

​On Wed. Sept. 27, 2023, along with Canada Post, Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford, Ontario held the Truth and Reconciliation Stamp Launch. This was the second stamp in a series commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In 2022, artists of Inuit, Metis and First Nations captured their visions for the future of truth and reconciliation.  

​Master of Ceremonies, Assistant Director, Christopher Ashewe, welcomed invited guests and explained how Woodland Culture Centre, opened in 1972, houses the oldest residential school in Canada in the Mohawk Institute Residential School which operated from 1831 to 1970.
Assistant Manager of the Language Department, George Dextor, presented remarks on the natural forces. Christopher prepared the audience of the short video of members of the Survival Circle, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Anyone who would become distressed could speak to councillors who would be available if needed. 

The video depicts three survivors telling their experiences in Residential Schools how children were taken without their parents knowledge and consent. They were abused physically, emotionally and sexually and stripped of their heritage, way of life and their language. 

There were a few Residential Survivors in the audience. John who escaped over 30 times and Dawn Hill who spoke briefly about what life was like attending residential school. She was separated from her sister and the children were encouraged to fight to create dissension and prevent friendships.

Executive Director, Heather George cited that September 30th, Truth and Reconciliation is a poignant reminder of residential schools. Previously knowns as Orange Shirt Day after six-year-old Phylis Jack Webstad, had her orange shirt stripped from her on her first day at residential school.

As a Residential School Survivor, Phylis never had her shirt nor other belongs returned to her.  “Residential school is the only school you don’t graduate from, you survive,” said Heather George. She further remarked that "truth and reconciliation is not easy. Truth requires dark history caused by pain." Heather mentioned how the name Canada came from the Iroquoian word ‘Kanata’ meaning village. “The work of Canada Post is part of the healing.”
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Another guest speaker was Dr. Criag Fraser, Elected Council of Six Nations of the Grand River, who was a stand in for Chief Mark Hill. Dr. Fraser toured the residential school after 50 years. He mentioned he had family members who attended the school, the results of the abuse his uncles endured related to alcoholism.  

“Reconciliation means different things to different people. ReconciliACTION, we need to do rather than say.” For example, Dr. Fraser explained how the University of Waterloo is taking initiative after realizing that only 44% of Indigenous population graduates and half take five years to complete a four-year program. As a result, the university is waiving the tuition fee for Indigenous students and University of Toronto may follow. 

Director of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canad Post, Dale LeClair, reported “we have to reflect on the past.” His father spent three years in residential school before being pulled out by his mother. While touring the Mohawk Institute Residential School, he had such a heavy heart. “The school was designed to assimilate Indigenous children into society who were subjected to unimaginable things. The school closed in 1972, remembering the truth and learning from it.”

Canada Post is listening to the voices of Residential School Survivors and worked closely with the Survivors Circle of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation to  come up with the Truth and Reconciliation stamp issue this year. “The stamps tell an important part of history to heal and embrace a stronger future.” ​

​The 2023 Truth and Reconciliation Stamps depict eight stark archival images of Indian Residential Schools that existed throughout Canada:

• Kamloops Residential School, Kamloops, B.C.
• Île-à-la-Crosse Residential School, Île-à-la-Crosse, Sask.
• Sept-Îles Residential School, Sept-Îles, Que.
• Grollier Hall, Inuvik, N.W.T.
• Mohawk Institute, Brantford, Ont.
• Ermineskin Residential School, Maskwacis, Alta.
• Turquetil Hall, Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut
• Shubenacadie Residential School, Shubenacadie, N.S

A photograph of the Mohawk Institute Residential School is featured on the Official First Day Cover (OFDC), as it was the first school in Canada’s Indian Residential School System. Attached are the four stamps of the Truth and Reconciliation Stamp Launch.

According to Canada Post: "the stark archival images of these institutions serve as a reminder of the fear, loneliness, pain and shame endured by generations of Indigenous children experienced within their walls." Furthermore: "The stamp issue serves as a vehicle for truth about Canada's residential school system to help support the process of reconciliation and, ultimately, healing.” 

​Following the presentation, the audience were presented with a wonderful assortment of Indigenous finger foods ranging from blueberry lemongrass lemonade to wild rice pilaf and bison. After nibbling on the food, Heather George led a small group to tour the Mohawk Institute Residential School. 

The building is currently closed to the public as its undergoing construction. It will be opened to Residential Survivors and their families on September 30th and October 1st for Truth and Reconciliation. Heather explained that the residence held between 90 to 200 students per year. Going through the building, she explained how survivors reported that the nosiest parts of the building, the boiler and laundry rooms, where the children were abused.

​The top level of the building had beautiful new flooring where the girls were located. The bathroom, another place where abused occurred, had three bathtubs where three children were bathed at once in each of the tubs. Heather reported that that is how diseases spread and the water was never changed being cold and dirty. Beside the bathroom, a flight of steps led to the girl’s dormitory. Heather pointed out how high the room was to discourage anyone from escaping. Numerous cubby holes exists where the children hide their personal items. These artifacts will be able to be displayed when Woodland Culture Centre erects a new building to house them. Currently, artifacts are held at McMaster University

One artifact displayed in the library, is a sewing table, located on the girl’s side, that has names and numbers of the children that scribbled underneath the table. “An unforgotten remnant of the young children who lived here.” As quoted on the display. 

Like Dale LeClair, I too had a ‘heavy heart’ after touring the Institute. I have attended numerous functions and events over the years at Woodland Cultural Centre, but this was my first time touring inside the Mohawk Institute in person. It is a different experience watching the video when you are in the personal spaces.

It hits home too of the devastation, that continues to be felt in Aboriginal communities through intergenerational trauma, of the atrocity’s that First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation children endured for over 150 years when the Mohawk Institute Resident School opened in 1831 until the closing of the last residential school in 1981. More than 150,000 children attended one of the eight Indian Residential Schools located throughout Canada’s provinces and territories. Canadians do need to know about the ‘dark history’ of residential schools to ensure it never happens again and to allow for Residential Survivors and their Aboriginal communities, to deal with their trauma which hopefully will lead to their healing.  

(Photos taken by Heather A. Rennalls) 

Related links:

• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
• The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund 
• National Film Board of Canada
• Learn with Your Head, Lead from the Heart & Speak Your Truth: Teaching Young Children about Residential Schools
• Download the Education Guide 
• Intergenerational Resilience: Sharing Stories from Families of Residential School Survivors
• Download the Education Guide 
•  Residential Schools in Canada 
• Indian Residential Schools 
• Residential School 
• ​National Day for Truth and Reconciliation  


• The National Residential School Crisis Line 1-866-925-4419 

Quote: “It’s not just a part of who we are as Survivors – it’s a part of who we are as a nation.” (National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation)  

The MC for this event was the lovely and multi-talented Noreitta Adelyn Ramocan, stage name Prestige Ignites: a model, singer, songwriter, spoken word artist, poet, motivational speaker, and a spiritual consultant. Prestige reported that while growing up, she listened to her mother singing reggae songs. She is from a line of musicians in her family, as both parents and an uncle were singers. Despite a faulty microphone, Prestige allowed vendors to talk briefly on/about their businesses. ​

Lydia Della Rocca was the first vendor to speak. She is a fifth generation Canadian of Italian heritage who is an Independent Travel Agent with Fareconnct Travel who cited the popular destinations for 2022. With the pandemic over two years, Lydia reported that the travel industry was hit hard. But now people are wanting to travel. She also reported of the Ontario Staycation Tax Credit which encourages Ontarians to travel the province to help with tourism and hospitality sectors. Ontario residents can claim up to 20% of accommodations expenses in 2022.

Marjorie Curet, Principal Consultant from Silver Peak Immigration, cited some statistics about immigration. She reported that small businesses are more likely to employ immigrants then large businesses and how immigrants are more likely to open business. Other statis include:

• One of three dentists are immigrants,
• 32% of software publishers are immigrants,
• 50% of restaurants are immigrants.

 
Marjorie also reported that “immigrants are hard working, optimist and open-minded people who are the backbone of this county.” Aside from the believe that immigrants take jobs away from residents, immigrants are the source of job creation for they are most likely to open small business that employ residents. 

Other activities at the Oxford Diversity Vendor Show Ingersoll included, Hanna painting, music, Magic Express children's cho cho train rides and food. A fun time for the whole family. 

Happy Spring!

​Both Horace and Wallace were WW1 veterans, and both also served in the Second World War where Horace was a Sergeant-Major in the Canadian Machine Gun Training Centre. Arthur Marshall was a Quartermaster Sergeant with the Frist Battalion of the Irish Regiment of Canada in the Second World War. 

​In 1959, Phyllis performed on BBC Television in England in her own show “The Phyllis Marshall Special”. In 1964 she recorded the Juno Award winning album That Girl with two American jazz stars Buck Clayton and Buddy Tate. Phyllis’s second career as an actress began in 1956 at the Crest Theatre in Toronto. She took on both dramatic and musical roles stage, radio and TV productions such as the revue Cindy-Ella in 1964; “Paul Bernard, Psychiatrist” in 1971; “Voice of the Fugitive” in 1978 and in the CBS-CTV's Night Heat during the mid-1980s.

One of Phyllis’ last performances was for Nelson Mandela’s 70th Birthday Tribute at the Freedom Fest in Harbourfront in 1988. Phyllis Marshall died in Toronto on February 2, 1996. She is remembered as one of Canada’s pioneer Black television super star. 

​The first major wave of fugitive slaves to Canada occurred between 1817 to 1820 and the choice of refuge was Essex County as it was the easiest and fastest to reach from the United States.  About 20 terminals were set up in Ontario dotting along the shores of Lake Erie and the Niagara River, as well as Amhertsburg, Sandwich, Windsor, Owen Sound, Hamilton, St Catharine's, Toronto, Kingston, Brantford, Collingwood and Prescott. Many Great Lakes ships would carry runaways without charge and drop them on Canadian soil. Ships such as Bay City, United States, Arrow, Mayflower, Forest Queen, May Queen, Morning Star, and Phoebus. Areas in Oxford County that both escaped slaves and free Blacks settled included, Ingersoll, Woodstock, Blenheim, Norwich, Summerville and Otterville.