Black History Month graduate research panel | Tri-University History Graduate Program

Background

In collaboration with the History Anti-Racism Taskforce (HART) at the University of Waterloo, TUGSA offered a panel for Black History Month, held virtually on February 8, 2024.

University of Guelph historian Deirdre McCorkindale, chaired the panel. Deirdre McCorkindale is interested in the history of Race in North America with a focus on the Black Canadian and Black American experience. Her current research currently concerns the history of intelligence testing in North America.

Presentations and researcher bios

Tolulope Akande (MA grad, Waterloo)

Oropotoniyun: The African Transgender King of the 16th Century

Tolulope (she/her) is a recent master's graduate in the Department of History at the University of Waterloo. She received her BA in History and a master’s degree in diplomacy from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Her MA research was on juvenile delinquency and the Nigerian justice system. She focuses on the colonial roots of juvenile crime and its long-term consequences, using prison records from British colonial archives, available primary sources in Nigeria, and interdisciplinary scholarship.

Dacian Dawes (3rd-Year Undergrad, Toronto)

Modern Challenges of Racial Capitalism in Canada

Dacian (she/her) is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, majoring in Political Science and Critical Studies in Equity and Solidarity, with a minor in African Studies and a certificate in Black Canadian history. Dacian aspires to further her education by attaining a master's degree in public policy. Her research will focus on public healthcare policies in Canada, with a particular emphasis on unequal resource allocation and maltreatment of persons from racialized groups. Dacian, a Black Canadian born in Toronto, Ontario, was exposed to an array of systematic oppressions, racial inequalities, and discriminatory behaviours inflicted on racialized individuals throughout the city and country. Dacian recognizes the importance of studying public policy and its power to create change and strives to make a more just society for all individuals.

Arshad Suliman (PhD cand. Toronto)

From Toronto to Cape Town: Black Canadian Solidarity with Southern African Liberation Movements, 1970s-1990s

Arshad Suliman is a 2023 Trudeau Scholar and holds the prestigious SSHRC CGS-D in honour of Nelson Mandela. He earned his BA and MA in History, as well as the Black Canadian Studies Certificate, from York University. As a Coloured South African born to an anti-apartheid Freedom Fighter, Arshad knows the importance of oral history and its necessity in retelling the narratives of Freedom Fighters. Using this methodology, his research uncovers the role of Black Canadian activism in Southern African liberation movements in the mid-twentieth century.

Black History Panelist Reflections

What was your presentation about and what drew you to the topic?

Tolulope Akande

My presentation delved into the remarkable story of Princess Orompoto of the old Oyo empire, an intriguing figure from Nigerian history. Faced with the challenge of her brothers being deemed too young to ascend the throne, she made the courageous decision to undergo gender reassignment surgery to fulfill the role of king. This narrative not only sheds light on the intricacies of the monarchical structure in precolonial Nigeria but also serves as a poignant reflection of the enduring marginalization of women, both historically and in contemporary Nigerian society. Through exploring Princess Orompoto's resilience, we gain insight into the complexities of gender dynamics and the ongoing struggle for gender equality in Nigeria and beyond.

Dacian Dawes

My presentation focused on advocating for equitable healthcare policies and treatments for Black communities in Canada, which is critical for addressing persisting discrepancies within Canada's "universal" healthcare system. By bringing awareness to these disparities and emphasizing the need for necessary demands, my presentation intended to not only shed light on a pressing issue in Black communities in Canada that are constantly overlooked, but also advocating for tangible solutions through policy implementation and modifications, that can lead to positive change and equal representation in Canada's healthcare.

The significance of my presentation lies in its potential to drive systemic shifts in healthcare policy and practice, ultimately aiming to improve health outcomes and ensure fair access to quality care for all individuals, regardless of race or ethnicity.

I was drawn to this issue because I intend to further my education in public policy, particularly in Canada's healthcare system, and identify the inequalities and disadvantages that marginalized, especially Black individuals like myself continue to face. Thus, by deepening my understanding of policy development, analysis, and implementation, through this presentation I was able to do research that has better my understanding of the history of healthcare and Black individuals in Canada. Through this research I was better equipped to advocate for evidence-based interventions that address the healthcare needs of marginalized communities, particularly Black communities in Canada, which I will bring to my future research project.

Arshad Suliman

My presentation introduced the history of Black Canadian solidarity campaigns in Toronto from 1972 to 1994, in relation to Black Canadian mobilisation in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movements (or BDS) against colonialism in Southern Africa and then against apartheid in South Africa. Black Canadians participated in and shaped the BDS movement against apartheid South Africa by using the Black press to engage the public, leading large-scale rallies, and criticising the Canadian government’s continued investment in Southern Africa. I argued that Black mobilization in Toronto was characterised by a recognition of the overlapping forces of oppression (whether in institutions or daily life) faced by persons of African descent – locally, nationally, and internationally. Furthermore, Black Canadians tended to be simultaneously active in several movements and campaigns addressing oppression. The intersected movements (and their main leaders) demonstrate the adage that the oppression of one represents the oppression of all.

What sources did you use and why did you use them?

Tolulope Akande

In my quest for sources, I diligently pursued a diverse array of materials, delving into both primary and the limited pool of secondary sources. My research spanned a wide spectrum, encompassing scholarly articles, reputable journals, and even oral histories, including interviews preserved in news outlets. By casting a wide net across various mediums, I aimed to gather a comprehensive understanding of Princess Orompoto's narrative. This comprehensive approach allowed me to enrich my analysis with multiple perspectives, lending depth and authenticity to my exploration of her story.

Dacian Dawes

I mostly relied on news articles and data from Statistics Canada to provide real-life proof and statistics that showed what the Black community has faced over the years. Aside from those sources, I came to my own conclusions and devised policies that I believe will enhance the healthcare sector.

Arshad Suliman

My presentation drew on the Black press (particularly Spear and Contrast) and oral histories with Black Elders. For example, I began with a discussion of a Letter to the Editor of Spear, published in August 1973, in which three Black Canadian women in Halifax expressed their concerns about “the liberation struggles going on in Southern Africa, Angola, Mozambique, [and] Guinea Bissau.” Additionally, oral histories are crucial to my research. During my Master’s, I interviewed key Black Canadians such as Dr Akua Benjamin, Lennox Farrell, and Dr Carl James. Without my interviews with Black Elders, I would not have been able to interrogate the role of Black Canadians in support of liberation campaigns in Southern African.

How does your research challenge how Black history has been/is often written as a monolith?

Tolulope Akande

My research challenges the monolithic portrayal of Black history by highlighting the nuanced experiences within the community. Focusing on Princess Orompoto, a Nigerian princess, I reveal a narrative that defies simplistic categorizations. Her story underscores the diversity and complexity of Black history, showcasing how factors like gender and societal expectations intersect with individual experiences. By examining Black history through an intersectional lens, I contribute to a more inclusive understanding that celebrates the richness and diversity of Black experiences, challenging the notion of a singular narrative within Black history.

Dacian Dawes

My research challenges the stereotypical view of Black history as a monolith by emphasizing the different healthcare experiences and demands of Black communities in Canada. By advocating for fair policies and treatments that address these distinct needs, I highlight the complexities of Black healthcare experiences. This method challenges historical narratives' homogenizing tendencies by recognizing the intersectionality of factors such as race, socioeconomic position, and location that influence healthcare outcomes. Through this lens, my research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of Black history by acknowledging the uniqueness and diversity of lived experiences within a larger narrative.

Arshad Suliman

My research challenges the portrayal of Black history as a monolith by demonstrating how Black Canadians were involved in a variety of Black Canadian struggles against forces of oppression, both domestically and internationally. I emphasise that terms such as “mobilisation,” “activism,” and “social movements” have complicated and diverse meanings for Black Canadians, whether in the form of Black Canadian feminists, lawyers, press, or grassroots movements in grocery stores.

Anything else you would like to share?

Dacian Dawes

I want to thank you all for inviting me to participate in your panel this year and putting my research and my voice out there!