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A History Exposed: The Enslavement of Black People in Canada

October 4 @ 12:00 pm - December 28 @ 4:00 pm
A History Exposed: The Enslavement of Black People in Canada Event Promo

Event Duration: Oct 4, 2025 – Dec 28, 2025, 12:00pm – 4:00pm

A History Exposed: The Enslavement of Black People in Canada is a travelling exhibit created by the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 with guest curator Dr. Afua Cooper and in partnership with the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia.

Be sure to visit the only stop in the GTA for this groundbreaking new exhibition. Canada’s connection to enslavement is not just the Underground Railroad — enslavement played a significant role in the early settlement of Canada and its legacy can be seen and felt today. Discover the experiences of enslaved Black people in Canada through individual biographies and archival records, learn how enslavement came to be in Canada, and find out who were Canada’s enslavers.

Please note: This exhibition contains images and text describing violence endured by enslaved peoples and documents with racist and colonialist language. This content may challenge and disturb visitors. Adults with young children may wish to preview the exhibit beforehand.

About Dr. Afua Cooper

Dr. Afua Cooper is a leading scholar, author, and artist whose work on enslavement, abolition, freedom, and Black Canadian history has shaped the field. Her groundbreaking book The Hanging of Angelique was nominated for a Governor General’s Award and named one of CBC’s best Canadian books.

A founder of the Black Canadian Studies Association, she also established Dalhousie’s Black and African Diaspora Studies Minor. Dr. Cooper is an acclaimed poet and co-founder of Canada’s Dub Poetry movement, serving as Halifax’s Poet Laureate (2018). Her many awards recognize her commitment to bridging scholarship, creativity, and social justice.

The Museums of Mississauga in partnership with the Friends of the Museums of Mississauga gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Hazel McCallion Arts, Culture and Heritage Fund at the Mississauga Foundation, a registered charitable public foundation serving the people of Mississauga.

Related events

  • Register here for the Opening Reception on October 4, 2025
  • Learn more about the Panel Discussion on October 24, 2025 – Tickets Coming Soon

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