We Stand on Guard for Thee:

The African Canadian experience in The War of 1812

``The African Canadian experience in the war of 1812 is a topic lamentably underrepresented in scholarly and popular literature. We stand on Guard for thee: African Canadian Experience in the war of 1812 is a forum for scholars, students, educators, community historians and members of the public to explore the important role played by African Canadian in this, the last war fought on Canadian soil. This research is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

This conference was held at Brock University  with the Harriet Tubman Institute Of York University and chaired by Michele Johnson, associate professor in the department of History at York university  who is also co- investigator in the project - Breaking the Chains: Presenting a New narrative for Canada`s Role in the Underground Railroad.`` 

Photo:C.Ferguson

A special musical presentation and film launch by Dianna Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley, a musical duo who has won numerous Maple Blues Awards.

Work shop participants included:

Karolyn Smardz Frost: Winner of the Governor General Award for Non- Fiction and Senior Research at the Harriet Tubman Institute.

Ronald J. Dale (Invasion of Canada: Battles of the War of 1812 and the fall of new France.)

Hilary J. Dawson (Co investigator in SSHRC funded project  “Breaking the chains: presenting a new narrative for Canada’s Role in the Underground Railroad”.)

Caitlin Fisher (Co investigator in SSHRC funded project “Breaking the chains: presenting a new narrative for Canada’s Role in the Underground Railroad”.)

Dr. Lovejoy (Co investigator in SSHRC funded project “Breaking the chains: presenting a new narrative for Canada’s Role in the Underground Railroad”.)

Photo: C.Ferguson

Donna Ford (Chairperson of the Central Ontario Network for Black History.)

Natasha Henry (Education specialist for the project “Breaking the chains: presenting a new narrative for Canada’s Role in the Underground Railroad”.)

Wayne Kelly (Canada’s Black Defenders.) presented The Rallying Point.

Thomas Malcomson (HMS Detroit: The Battle for Lake Erie.) Presented The search for Black sailors on the Great Lakes During the War of 1812.

Peter Meyler (A Stolen Life: Searching for Richard Pierpoint) 1999, presented Partners in Obscurity: Coloured Corps and Indians.

Gareth Newfield presented: Free men of Colour : The coloured Corp During the War 1812.

Guylaine Petrin presented: The Home Front, Wives of Black soldiers in the War of 1812.

David States rresented: Maritime Canadian Blacks in the War of 1812

Photo: C.Ferguson

Wilma Morrison was named Honorary Patron, she has been a lifelong promoter of Black History in the Niagara Region

Hon. Jean Augustine was the special guest. Other guest attendees included  Hon. Jim Bradley MPP, St. Catherine, Hon. Brian McCullen, mayor of St. Catherine, Hon. Paul Dyster, Mayor Niagara Falls, New York.