Edmonton City as Museum Project ECAMP

And Still We Rise: A Black Presence in Alberta, late 1800s – 1970s

Browse the Exhibition

  • And Still We Rise: A Black Presence in Alberta, late 1800s – 1970s
  • An Early Presence: Individuals and Single Families, 1900 – 1920
    • Arrivals in Late 1800s
    • Alberta’s Early Black Settlements
    • Sustained Opposition to Black Immigration
    • Social Exclusion
  • 1921-1945: Community Formation, Activism & Citizenship
    • “Our Negro Citizens” Newspaper Columns
    • ONC: Capturing Everyday Life & Challenging Stereotypes
  • 1945 – 1970: Immigration & Social Change
    • Changing Social Conditions, Occupations & Immigration
    • Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters
    • 1960s: Emigration from the Caribbean
    • Emigration of Teachers from the Caribbean to Alberta, 1960s
  • About the exhibition
  • Resources for further learning
  • And Still We Rise: A Black Presence in Alberta, late 1800s – 1970s
  • An Early Presence: Individuals and Single Families, 1900 – 1920
    • Arrivals in Late 1800s
    • Alberta’s Early Black Settlements
    • Sustained Opposition to Black Immigration
    • Social Exclusion
  • 1921-1945: Community Formation, Activism & Citizenship
    • “Our Negro Citizens” Newspaper Columns
    • ONC: Capturing Everyday Life & Challenging Stereotypes
  • 1945 – 1970: Immigration & Social Change
    • Changing Social Conditions, Occupations & Immigration
    • Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters
    • 1960s: Emigration from the Caribbean
    • Emigration of Teachers from the Caribbean to Alberta, 1960s
  • About the exhibition
  • Resources for further learning

Featured Collection

1921-1945: Community Formation, Activism & Citizenship

“Our Negro Citizens” Newspaper Columns

Dr. Jennifer Kelly

“Our Negro Citizens” (ONC) was a weekly column in the Edmonton Journal and Edmonton Bulletin in the early 1920s. It was written by Reverend Geo. W. Slater Jr., pastor of the Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal (EAME) church in Edmonton.

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ONC: Capturing Everyday Life & Challenging Stereotypes

Dr. Jennifer Kelly

While life during this period was vibrant it must also be recognized that stereotyping by mainstream society was apparent and affected levels of expectations, as well as the employment prospects, of many of these Black citizens. The ONC column took a strong stance on issues of racism and social exclusion regarded as “drawing the colour line.”

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  • And Still We Rise: A Black Presence in Alberta, late 1800s – 1970s
  • About the exhibition
  • Resources for further learning

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An initiative of the Edmonton Heritage Council.

The Edmonton City as Museum Project acknowledges that ᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ / amiskwacîwâskahikan / Edmonton is located in Treaty 6 territory, and is a traditional meeting ground, gathering place, and travelling route of the Nêhiyawak (Cree), Anishinaabe (Saulteaux), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Dene, and Nakota Sioux; whose resiliency, along with their histories, languages, and cultures, continues to enrich our shared heritage.

© 2023 Edmonton City as Museum Project ECAMP