Canadian Black History Month

Her voice was described by one critic as “a gift from heaven.” She was the first Black Canadian concert singer to win international acclaim.

• Viola Desmond

• Mattie Mayes

• Portia White

• Mary Ann Shad (Carey)

During his athletic career, he competed four times at the Olympic Games, where he won the gold medal in the 4x100m relay in 1996. Two-time world champion in the 4x100m relay and in the 60m indoor, he remains the 7th fastest sprinter of all time.

• John Ware

• Bruny Surin

• Lincoln Alexander

• Elijah Mc Coy

Canadian businesswoman and civil libertarian who built a career as a beautician and was a mentor to young Black women in Nova Scotia through her beauty culture school.

• Mattie Mayes

• Rosemary Brown

• Portia White

• Viola Desmond

The first Black hockey player to play in a National Hockey League (NHL) game. He debuted with the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens at the Montreal Forum on January 18, 1958.

• Jerome Iginla

• William O'Ree

• Bruny Surin

• PK Subban

The matriarch of Saskatchewan’s first and only Black pioneer settlement. She was also a mid-wife who delivered help to numerous neighbours when there was no doctor available.

• Mattie Mayes

• Rosemary Brown

• Mary Ann Shad (Carey)

• Viola Desmond

She was the first woman to become a publisher in Canada. She arrived in the country as American slaves were escaping to freedom via the Underground Railroad and devoted herself to teaching the children of former slaves arriving in Canada.

• Rosemary Brown

• Portia White

• Viola Desmond

• Mary Ann Shad (Carey)

He is perhaps best known as the former lieutenant governor of Ontario. Alexander was the first person from a visible minority to take on the role, and the first black member of parliament in Canadian history.

• Elijah Mc Coy

• William O'Ree

• Lincoln Alexander

• John Ware

Born to former slaves who escaped to Canada from the United States. He studied mechanical engineering in Scotland and became known for inventing a device that lubricated a train's moving parts while the train was in motion. He is also credited with inventing the portable ironing boards, and held more than 50 patents in total.

• Lincoln Alexander

• William O'Ree

• Iron Ng Board

• Elijah Mc Coy

She was a Canadian politician who was born in Jamaica. She served as a member of British Columbia's legislative assembly for 14 years and was a candidate for the federal party's leadership in 1974.

• Rosemary Brown

• Mattie Mayes

• Mary Ann Shad (Carey)

• Portia White

Born enslaved, he became a successful rancher who settled near Calgary and Brooks. He was widely admired as one of the best cowboys in the West.

• John Ware

• William O' Ree

• Bruny Surin

• Elijah Mc Coy