Londoners celebrate Emancipation Day with focus on keeping history alive among future generations

Celebrations were in full swing at Fanshawe Pioneer Village on Sunday as Londoners gathered for an annual commemoration of Emancipation Day, reflecting on the achievements and sacrifices of Black Canadians throughout centuries. 

The day brings an opportunity to recognize the Black community's rich history, and contributions, and to share that knowledge with future generations and newcomers to Canada. 

"It's really important for us to learn from each other's lived experiences, to learn each other's histories so we're better able to connect with each other and to grow and move forward together," said Christina Lord, secretary of the London Black History Coordinating Committee.

"When I look around here today, I see people from all around the world who aren't necessarily in any way connected with the African diaspora but they're here to join us, celebrate with us and to learn with us, and that's exciting."

Slavery was abolished in the British Empire nearly two centuries ago on Aug. 1, 1834. In 2021, Canadian MPs in the House of Commons unanimously voted to designate Aug. 1 as Emancipation Day across the country.

Dozens of community members of all ages enjoyed musical performances and speeches while taking part in a parade and learning more about local Black-owned businesses in London.

Four-year-old Ebony Morrison was the youngest entrepreneur at the event and her pink lemonade stand was a bestseller. Watching Ebony share her diverse Caribbean culture with others was a proud moment, said her mom Freda.  

"Not many different backgrounds get the opportunity to celebrate how far we've come and all that our ancestors have done for us so we don't want to forget their history which is part of our future," said Freda Morrison, whose family comes from Guyana and Jamaica, with roots tracing back to Nigeria.

"For me, it's really about sharing history with my daughter and son and there's always so much to learn. A lot of our history has been lost and not necessarily told by our forefathers, so it's a continuous journey of learning and growing."

Focal point for Black history

This year's Emancipation Day marks the second year where the fugitive slave chapel is in its permanent home at Fanshawe Pioneer Village. Built in 1848 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the chapel served as a gathering and worship space for London's Black community until 1869. 

And a plaque that was originally put on the chapel in 1986 but left the city once the building was sold, was officially put back in its place in front of the chapel this year, said Hilary Bates-Neary from the historic sites committee, who was involved in efforts to bring the chapel to the village. 

"Very few buildings of this age have ever survived, let alone buildings that relate to the Black history of London. It means that it could become a focal point for Londoners and visitors to the area to learn about the Black history of the area," she said. 

Bates-Neary believes the chapel is a reminder of the Black community's resilience, despite numerous hardships and can serve as inspiration to other newcomers looking to create community, she said. 

"Many [Black Canadians] came here under tremendous pressure and threat while contending with prejudice. But they established themselves, built institutions and became very important members of society and I think we have to remember that about all newcomers to Canada."