The Amherstburg Freedom Museum and the River Bookshop have teamed up on Black History Month events, with two events last weekend.
The museum hosted author Craig Shreve, who wrote a new book “The African Samurai,” and that was the subject of a book signing and discussion moderated by bookseller Cindy Lemieux. The book is a historical fiction that is according to the official book description as a “novel based on the true story of Yasuke, Japan’s first foreign-born samurai and the only samurai of African descent.”
Shreve told the group gathered in the Nazrey AME Church Saturday afternoon that he stumbled across the story by accident. While on YouTube, a video came up on Yasuke and that caused Shreve to continue his research. That would lead to the book, which was on sale that day and continues to be on sale at the bookshop.
The character has appeared in video games and has become more mainstream.
Shreve also provided words of inspiration for the audience.
“If you have the opportunity to show faith in someone, don’t underestimate the impact of what that could be,” said Shreve.
The Artists of Colour is presenting “The Never-Ending Quest for Inclusion,” an exhibit that runs on both floors of the Amherstburg Freedom Museum through March 2. The exhibit features paintings, images, artifacts and informative panels with Artists of Colour president Dennis K. Smith stating it is a continuation of the “Journeys” exhibit that was presented at the museum in 2021.
The initial exhibit focused in slavery and freedom seekers coming to Canada and the current exhibit is on freedom seekers and what they have accomplished since arriving. It spans from the time of slavery and continues through the decades and centuries.
“We’ve taken on where Journeys left off,” said Smith. “It’s the progression that freedom seekers made and how they became part of Canadian history.”
There are 12 artists that make up The Artists of Colour and most have made contributions to the exhibit. There are visual artists, actors, musicians and writers in the non-profit group.
Historical re-enactors gave background on points in Black history during an opening reception last Saturday.
Smith estimated there are about 45 pieces in the exhibit and it has eight sections.
“The last section allows visitors to put in the name of an ancestor who may have impacted their lives or Canadian history,” he said.
Museum curator Mary-Katherine Whelan told the audience at the reception Saturday afternoon the exhibit sheds light on the presence and contributions that were made on Canadian history.
“The Never-Ending Quest of Inclusion” can be viewed Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 12-5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5 p.m. Adult admission is $7.50 and senior and student admission is $6.50. A family of five can enter for $30.
More information on The Artists of Colour can be found at www.theartistsofcolour.com.
The next event at the museum is a concert this Friday night (Feb. 14), presented by the Windsor Symphony Orchestra (WSO). The concert will feature works by celebrated Black composers, performed by the Windsor Symphony Orchestra with conductor Geoffrey Larson. This special performance is made possible by the support of Richard and Colleen Peddie. The concert starts at 7 p.m. inside the Nazrey AME Church. Tickets are $35 and are available at www.windsorsymphony.com.
Storytime at the River Bookshop this Sunday (Feb. 16) starts at 2 p.m, and will feature staff and volunteers from the museum honouring Black History Month through literature, art, music, and storytelling.
For more information on Black History Month events, visit www.amherstburgfreedom.org/bhm or https://riverbookshop.com/pages/events.
Museum and bookshop team up on Black History Month events
By Ron Giofu
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