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July 11, 2007

Youth Conference Teaches History Of Slavery And Abolitionist Movement In Ontario

80 Youth Participating In 3-day Conference To Promote Awareness
Of Slavery In Ontario

Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Mike Colle, Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine, and emcee Famous, with members of the Scarborough Youth Resource Centre, at St. Lawrence Hall in Toronto, on the occasion of the announcement of a 3-day youth conference on Black history in Ontario.
Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Mike Colle, Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine, and emcee Famous, with members of the Scarborough Youth Resource Centre, at St. Lawrence Hall in Toronto, on the occasion of the announcement of a 3-day youth conference on Black history in Ontario.

(From L. to R.) Sharon Shelton, Executive Director, Tropicana Community Services; Khalvin Herbert, Manager, Scarborough Youth Resource Centre, Tropicana Community Services; Minister Mike Colle; Bruce Bell, Official Historian of the St. Lawrence Hall (where the announcement took place); Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine, Chair of the Ontario Bicentenary Commemorative Committee on the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act; and Dwayne Morgan, Spoken Word Artist. Minister Colle presented a framed copy of John Graves Simcoe’s 1793 Act to Prevent Further Introduction of Slaves, to Khalvin Herbert.
(From L. to R.) Sharon Shelton, Executive Director, Tropicana Community Services; Khalvin Herbert, Manager, Scarborough Youth Resource Centre, Tropicana Community Services; Minister Mike Colle; Bruce Bell, Official Historian of the St. Lawrence Hall (where the announcement took place); Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine, Chair of the Ontario Bicentenary Commemorative Committee on the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act; and Dwayne Morgan, Spoken Word Artist. Minister Colle presented a framed copy of John Graves Simcoe’s 1793 Act to Prevent Further Introduction of Slaves, to Khalvin Herbert.

TORONTO — The McGuinty government is giving 80 young people from across the province the opportunity to come face to face with the history of slavery and the abolitionist movement in Ontario at an interactive 3-day conference, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Mike Colle announced today at the historic St. Lawrence Hall, where the first Canadian Convention of Coloured Freemen was held.   

“The presence of enslaved Africans and the fight to end slavery in Ontario is a little known part of our province’s history,” said Colle. “We want a future where all Ontarians are valued and respected, and that is why we are proud to support a conference that will help young people better understand the history that has shaped today’s world.” 

Eighty youth aged 14 to 18 from across Ontario will have an opportunity to actively participate in the conference, which will include visits to historic sites such as the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum and Uncle Tom’s Cabin that document the spirit and bravery of enslaved Africans, abolitionists and free Blacks in Ontario.

The government is providing $80,000 for the conference, which is organized by Tropicana Community Services in collaboration with the Ontario Bicentenary Commemorative Committee on the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act.

“Tropicana has been working hard with our Youth Advisory Committee to develop this initiative to engage and educate youth about the slave trade,” said the Honourable Jean Augustine, chair of the committee. “This conference will help young people to understand and take pride in Ontario’s history.”

The government formed the Ontario Bicentenary Commemorative Committee on the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act earlier this year with an investment of up to $1 million to support commemorative projects that tell the history of slavery, commemorate the struggle of enslaved African Canadians, and honour the spirit of those who fought for freedom, justice and equality. Committee members represent academia, historical societies, archivists, the arts, and the African Canadian community from across the province. 

The Abolition of the Slave Trade Act was passed by the British Parliament in 1807.  It outlawed the slave trade throughout the British Empire and made it illegal for British ships to be involved in the trade and transportation of slaves.

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For media enquiries, contact:
Rick Byun, Minister’s Office, (416) 325-3460
Michel Payen-Dumont, Communications Branch, (416) 314-7010

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