Month: February 2020

Shiloh Centre for Multicultural Roots Oral History Project

Jenna was the oral historian on the Shiloh Centre for Multicultural Roots Oral History Project. This was a research and community engagement project designed to document the historical and contemporary experiences of Alberta and Saskatchewan’s Black settlers who moved to the Canadian Prairies between 1905 and 1912 to escape racism and intense persecution in the United States. A main focus was to record individuals’ experiences with discrimination and marginalization while living in Canada.

The work on this project led to the creation of an award winning documentary entitled We are the Roots: Black Settlers and their Experiences of Discrimination on the Canadian Prairies.

We are the Roots

“An intriguing and moving new documentary.”
– Paula Simons, Edmonton Journal

We are the Roots: Black Settlers and their Experiences of Discrimination on the Canadian Prairies tells the story of a wave of African American immigrants who moved to Alberta and Saskatchewan between 1905-1912 to escape racism and persecution in the United States.  Taking advantage of Canada’s offer of 160 acres of land for a $10 fee, 1000-1500 individuals moved to the Prairies and helped develop several settlements throughout the provinces.

Through the stories of 19 descendants of the original settlers, We are the Roots focuses on the experiences of discrimination these individuals encountered while living in the rural communities and in Edmonton.

Visit Bailey and Soda Films to view film.