Ontario town considers 'next steps' for Black settlers' burial ground, wants to preserve heritage

The town of Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) is working on potential next steps in the wake of a demand from Toronto filmmaker James Russell that it cover a $59,000 bill to restore 19 headstones buried at the Negro Burial Ground — a cemetery that dates back almost 200 years.

Russell said 28 burial sites and 19 buried headstones were detected at the cemetery in May with the help of ground-penetrating radar, and he is pointing fingers at NOTL employees who he said were responsible for maintaining the site.

But Marah Minor, the town's community engagement and communications coordinator, is denying Russell's claim that town staff buried the headstones.

"Unfortunately, over time, headstones can gradually deteriorate as they are constantly being weathered," Minor wrote in an email to CBC Hamilton, adding that "this can have a significant effect on the headstones."   

"It is the town's understanding that when upright headstones deteriorated in the past, it may have been a practice to lay them flat. This is not a current practice of staff — unless done temporarily if a headstone breaks," Minor said.

"The town is committed to preserving heritage in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Staff is working with a community group regarding potential next steps at the burial ground. Staff will bring options to council for consideration."

Russell contends that even if the town's employees laid down the headstones, "there's no way in hell that those headstones managed to sink a foot and a half deep." 

"I believe they buried them because it was easier to cut the grass. That's why the Negro Burial Ground is just one grassy field. Because I believe that the town buried the headstones, I'm insisting that they pay for unearthing and restoring them," Russell said.

Niagara-on-the-Lake staff are currently working with an archaeologist on a Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment, which will consist of comprehensive research on the history and background of the property, Minor said.

During the Stage 1 Assessment, the archaeologist determines whether there is potential for archaeological sites on the property.   

According to Minor, the process includes reviewing geographic, land use and historical information for the property and the relevant surrounding area, and visiting the property to inspect its current condition. 

The assessment is being done in consultation with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO), and further steps may be taken depending on the results from Stage 1. 

A Stage 2 Assessment is required when the consultant archaeologist identifies areas of archaeological potential, Minor said. 

No decision on Russell's request for $59K

Regarding Russell's request for $59,000, Minor said for any new initiative, a funding source must be identified, and the project must be taken to the town's council for consideration.

"The Stage 1 Assessment informs what needs to happen next. Upon completion, Town Staff will report the results to town council. Whether a project will be initiated and who will pay for the next steps will be determined at that time," she said.

Russell plans to start a petition in the spring and will ask Niagara-on-the-Lake "residents to sign this petition forcing the town to [pay] the $59,000 that the archeologists have given as a quote for unearthing and restoring the headstones."

Russell said Kitchener, Ont.-based Archaeological Research Associates provided the $59,000 quote last summer.

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.