In my journey as a Mellon Foundation Incubator Fellow this semester, I have the foundation of knowledge gained through previous coursework in American History, American Deaf history and Black Deaf History. Reflecting on my own educational experience during the K-12 curriculum, I realized how limited my understanding of Canadian history truly was. Much of it focused on topics such as wars between the French and British over territory, the division between Upper and Lower Canada, and a surface-level overview of Indigenous history, particularly related to the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
This reflection highlighted a significant gap in my knowledge: the historical context of Black communities in Canada during the 19th century, a crucial key for understanding the lived experiences of Black Deaf individuals during that time. The scarcity of resources and literature addressing racism against Black Canadians presents a challenge. However, there is substantial documentation on how systemic racism impacted Indigenous peoples across Canada. These accounts provide a framework that can offer insight into the shared and unique experiences of Black Canadians in similar contexts of oppression.
Understanding these histories is essential to my research, as it allows me to create the experience of the Black Deaf individuals within the broader narrative of systemic marginalization in Canada. By bridging the gaps in historical resources and uncovering these overlooked stories, I aim to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of Black Deaf history in Canada.
I also recognized my lack of knowledge about Deaf Canadian history, prompting me to take the steps toward addressing this gap with the guidance of my mentor, Dr. Jannelle Legg. One of the key resources I have begun working with is Deaf Heritage in Canada, written by Clifton F. Carbin (1996). This foundational text has been instrumental in helping me create and establish timelines detailing when the first Deaf schools were founded in each province, the names of school newsletter, and the emergence of the Deaf clubs and organizations across Canada.
As I navigated and established my resources for this research topic, I reached out to Clifton F. Carbin, the book’s author. Our initial meeting was incredibly valuable, as he provided insights and connected me with individuals managing the Ontario School for the Deaf (OSD)/Sir James Whitney Archives & Museum. This connection has opened doors to
previously inaccessible resources and strengthened my understanding of the historical context, which allows me to have a more profound knowledge of Deaf education and community structures in Canada. As I continue this journey, I am motivated to uncover and share the rich and yet overlooked histories of Black Canadians and Black Deaf Canadians to understand their resilience.
