Will the Olympic Opening Ceremonies honour the Father of British Columbia?

PRESS RELEASE



As a young person growing up in the suburbs of Ottawa, ON, long before then
MP Jean Augustine declared February “Black History Month” in Canada, I often
wondered if my family was one of the first persons of colour ever to set foot in this
country of ours – the Great White North. These are the days before multiculturalism
was feted in various colourful festivals in Ottawa and around the country.
Times have changed.

Yet, this month, as an coordinator for the Black Canadian Scholarship

Fund’s annual “Black Speakers’ series in Schools”, I was reminded of the

little-known Canadian hero named Sir James Douglas who is responsible

for keeping British Colombia in Canadian hands in the 1800s.

This Guyana-born Canadian brokered a peaceful living arrangement

between European settlers, blacks, aboriginals and a burgeoning

American immigrant presence during the Gold Rush. To me, this is the

foundation of Canadian values that differentiates us from our neighbours

to the south: the ability to integrate people from different cultures, and to

foster a collaborative environment where all can stake their claim on this

land, without the use of guns to settle disputes.

And Sir Douglas was black.  Notably, Sir Douglas, he kept this beautiful province (and its gold) out of

American hands. If it weren’t for those heroic efforts, where would we be hosting the

Olympics today? Summary: On the eve of the much-anticipated Vancouver Olympic Games’ Opening

Ceremony, I am left to wonder if this unsung Canadian hero, a black man, will be given any

deserved tribute in the ceremony. Or will Canada miss yet another opportunity to acknowledge and affirm

inclusive nature of our rich history to the world. So often in our educational institutions, we’ve ignored the contribution of blacks to make this country great. I was not fortunate enough to learn of

these achievements when I was a student under the tutelage of Ottawa’s French School Board, but I am happy to facilitate black professionals’ appearances as guest speakers in local schools as part of the BCSF’s

annual volunteer-run initiative, allowing young Canadians to learn and appreciate the 400 years of contributions of black Canadians that made this country the envy of the world.

Long before our lovely Governor General Michaelle Jean took her historical seat in Canadian History, Sir Douglas was the first black provincial Governor of Canada. He also formed an integrated police force. In1858, no less.  On the eve of the much-anticipated Vancouver Olympic Games’ Opening Ceremony, I am left towonder if this unsung Canadian hero, a black man, will be given any deserved tribute in the ceremony. Or will Canada miss yet another opportunity to acknowledge and affirm inclusive nature of our rich history to the world.

Rachel Décoste

Motivational Speaker and community organizer
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. www.RachelDecoste.ca

__________________________________________

BCSF : Black Canadian Scholarship Fund. www.bcsf.ca

Each year, 2 Ottawa area highschool students with financial needs, the

talent and the desire to pursue university studies are awarded a $5,000

bursary. Our past recipients include three (3) Law School Students, two (2)

medical students, one (1) Ph.D. student, and one (1) Engineer, to name a

few. Through fundraising and careful investment, the fund, managed by

the Community Foundation, and has already helped 21 students achieve

higher education.

*Reference document for Sir Douglas:

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/northern-star/033005-2301-e.html