Black Islanders of PEI

Welcome to the Black Islanders of PEI Website. Here you can find information on the early Black settlers and their descendents.

 

The Black Islanders Co-operative’s intention is to share its information with the public. It does not vouch for the accuracy of the information. The research information is the genealogical summary of a research project undertake by the Black Islanders Co-operative. It was gathered through research and member contributions.


Notices

Baraka Festival 2009

The Baraka Festival, sponsored by the Black Islanders Co-op (with funding provided through Canadian Heritage, the Province of PEI, and the City of Charlottetown) will take place from noon onwards, at Carrefour de L'Isle Saint Jean (L'école François-Buote) on February 28. This year there are two additions to the Baraka Festival. The first - a play called The Old Stock, about the late 1700's - 1800’s, when many of PEI’s Black Islanders were slaves - contains much original music, and was created by Ron Irving, Scott Parsons, and Harry Baglole.

The other new attraction is the traveling photo exhibit, On the Road North; Black Canada and the Journey to Freedom, a joint project by Canadian Heritage and Parks Canada. It tells the abolition story from 1783 onwards, as Canada emerged increasingly as a leader in efforts to provide a refuge for escaped slaves. The Baraka Festival is open to everyone, and is sponsored by the Black Islanders Co-op, in partnership with Farmers Helping Farmers, The PEI Association of Newcomers to Canada, the G’ma Circle of PEI, and CUSO/VSO. There is a limited space for booths and people who wish to enquire about this can contact Heather at H_and@hotmail.com .Admission is free. The play, The Old Stock will be presented in the Theatre at 7:30 pm on February 27 and 28. Tickets prices $15 and $10. For tickets contact Harry at ExtraordinaryJr@aol.com

Schedule of Events: (Click on dates below for information)


Friday February 27 Activities
Event:Play
Date: evening - Friday, February 27 & Saturday, February 28 (7:30)
Details: title is “The Old Stock”
Created by Ron Irving, Scott Parsons and Harry Baglole, Melissa Mullin stage managing. Contains original songs

Saturday February 28 Activities
Event:    Family Fair - Main
Date:     Saturday, February 28 (noon)
Details: Food, hair braiding, hair wrapping & Crafts in cafeteria. 

Event:   Family Fair - Speakers Room
Date:   Saturday, February 28 (2-5)
Details: Separate room. Titled “Charting Black Genealogy, in PEI and Africa"  1) Linda Jean Nicholson & Linda Hennessey - how to do genealogy research in PEI -especially for the original descendants of the Black slaves & particular family case histories
2) Diane Whitcomb - Dembo Suckles, a story about researching one’s own family trees
3) Ancestor knowledge in Africa with three local Africans - how the oral tradition passes on personal family trees

Event:  Family Fair - Children’s’ Games and Activities
Date:     Saturday, February 28 (noon)
Details: In Green Room.


Event:   Free Musical Concert - “African Vibes” 
Date:    Saturday afternoon, February 28 (2-5)
Details: Dance, music, storytelling with African roots. In Theatre


Event:   Exhibit , On the Road North; Black Canada and the Journey to Freedom
Date:    Saturday afternoon, February 28 
Details: Photo exhibit tells the Canadian abolition story from 1783 onwards