Queenston, ON – Niagara Parks will host its first Black History Symposium at the historic Queenston Chapel on Saturday, February 29 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., bringing together leading community historians and commentators specializing in black history and culture. Learn how the Niagara region played host to some of Canada’s most poignant stories of courage and freedom through three different perspectives:

Harriet Tubman: Last Stop, St. Catharines – Rochelle Bush

Explore the fascinating story of Harriet Tubman, the most famous conductor of the Underground Railroad. Find out where she lived, what she did and how she guided slaves to freedom in the small Canadian town of St. Catharines.

Historian Rochelle Bush was born and raised in St. Catharines, Ontario. She is the trustee of the Salem Chapel, BME Church, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad NHS, and the proprietor and primary guide of Tubman Tours Canada. A freedom seeker descendant, Rochelle’s maternal great-great-grandfather was the minister-in-charge of the Salem Chapel during the time Harriet Tubman was a member.

One More River to Cross – Saladin Allah

Hear rich stories about the Underground Railroad in Niagara Falls, New York and learn about the crucial role of its location and geography, as well as the actions of the area’s residents and particularly the African American residents.

Saladin Allah is a human rights commissioner in Niagara Falls, New York, founder of the Atlantis School for Gifted Youngsters and visitor experience specialist at the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center. An educator and author, his commentary has been featured in various international publications as well as the six-part docuseries “Enslaved,” executive produced by Samuel L. Jackson. Saladin is the third great-grandson of famed Underground Railroad freedom seeker Josiah Henson.

From Nigeria to Canada: The Afro-Canadian Experience – Ayo Adewumi

Discover history, politics, society and culture from an African Canadian perspective. Get a firsthand account of what it is like to integrate into Canadian society from a Nigerian migrant and award-winning filmmaker.

Ayo Adewumi was born in Nigeria and immigrated to Canada in 2004. An award-winning filmmaker, he holds a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Ibadan and a postgraduate diploma in theatre arts. Ayo worked extensively in theatre, television and film in Nigeria as an actor and director before relocating to Canada where he continued his acting and directing career.

Admission

Everyone is welcome to join us for Niagara Parks’ first Black History Symposium at the Queenston Chapel. Tickets are $10 and space is limited. Please reserve your seat by visiting niagaraparks.com/blackhistory.

Digital Assets

For PDF of the media release and images, please visit Dropbox.