Juneteenth is not officially recognized in Canada, but it is valuable in thinking about the history of slavery here and whose stories we are really telling in conventional history.
Juneteenth is important because it de-centers the official experience of emancipation in the United States and re-centers that of the formerly enslaved workers whose lives were changing, and who had fought so hard for justice and freedom.
It took more than two years for news of the American emancipation proclamation to reach all enslaved workers in the country. On June 19, 1865, the last group of formerly enslaved workers were finally informed in Texas.
Slavery in Canada’s History
Canadians, too, when we think about the shameful history of slave labour in this country, should think about not just the official experience, but of the real lives that it affected.
Canada recognizes Emancipation Day on August 1, for the date in 1834 when slavery was abolished in the British Empire. But consider how long it took before emancipation made meaningful change in the lives of formerly enslaved workers. Justice does not come overnight. The labour of enslaved workers that created Canada’s early prosperity still has not been fully compensated.
Even after it was abolished by the United Kingdom, slavery continued to benefit imperial powers through trading partnerships with the US.
Juneteenth is a reminder for many of us that the effects of slavery persist, and that justice is still not achieved for many in the world today.
