CANADALAND Black Rights in Canada Took This Fight
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Oct 13, 2025 Michèle Stephenson, a nonfiction filmmaker and director of the documentary True North, delves into the often overlooked Black civil rights movement in Canada. She discusses why iconic imagery from this era is scarce, revealing issues of invisibilization and missing archives. Through her documentary, she uncovers forgotten footage and shares powerful stories, including the radical journey of Rosie Douglas. Michèle emphasizes the significance of acknowledging this history to honor activists and enrich Canada’s narrative.
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Canada's Missing Civil Rights Imagery
- Canada lacks a shared visual vocabulary for its civil rights movement despite major events occurring here.
- Michèle Stephenson's film True North uncovers archival footage that reintroduces those lost images to the public.
A Childhood Marred By Early Racism
- Michèle Stephenson describes growing up Black in the Eastern Townships and facing immediate racism at school.
- She left as soon as she could because the environment felt hostile and isolating.
From Complaint To Occupation
- The Sir George Williams occupation began as a complaint by six Caribbean students alleging systemic racism by professor Perry Anderson.
- That ignored complaint escalated into a two-week occupation of the university's computer lab to force a proper hearing.