Black History
Military Heroes Through History
Highlighting Diverse veterans on Remembrance Day This slide deck is intended to provide examples of veterans from diverse backgrounds who have served in the Canadian military since the First World War. When using this slide deck as part of a Remembrance Day ceremony, we recommend choosing one hero from each conflict. Information about...
African Canadian soldiers in the War of 1812
More and more attention is being given to African Canadians’ participation in 20th-century conflicts. However, years before the two world wars, many African Canadian soldiers had already paid the ultimate sacrifice during the War of 1812 as officers of the Coloured Corps.
Charles Lightfoot Roman – A True Trailblazer
Father, distinguished surgeon, soldier, author, researcher, and lecturer: these are the many hats worn by Charles Lightfoot Roman, a man whose life was a remarkable journey.
Richard Pierpoint, an unsung leader
A veteran of the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, Richard Pierpoint led a very full life. After arriving in North America as a slave, Pierpoint went on to become a respected leader of the Black communities established in Canada.
Congo – Canada as a Member of the United Nations
In 1960, the Congo gained its independence, but ethnic and political tensions remained high, prompting the United Nations to intervene. Canada answered the call, deploying troops to stabilize the situation and assist civilians in its first major peacekeeping mission.
The Carty Brothers
Coming from a true veteran family, the Carty brothers all served in the Canadian Army during the Second World War.
The Courtney Brothers: A Case-Study on Enlistment of Black Soldiers in the First World War
Enlistment in the First World War did not come easy for most Black Canadian soldiers. Acceptance into the military was the responsibility of local recruitment officers, who had the power to deny individuals for service. Considered a “White Man’s War”, recruitment officers often prevented Black individuals from joining the fight overseas because of their skin colour. However, some Black Canadians were able to...
The First World War in Sub-Saharan Africa
Major battles were waged in sub-Saharan Africa during the First World War. This second article in our two-part series on the non-European theatres of this war provides an overview of different military fronts in Africa.