Beginning in 1911, black families from Oklahoma began moving to Canada in order to escape rampant racism and the poor quality of life resulting from their limited rights. Of more than 1,000 (by some reports, up to 1,500) blacks that came to Canada, around 300 moved into Amber Valley/Pine Creek area east of Athabasca, beginning in 1910. While a few were able to find abandoned land claims that improvements were already made upon, most needed two or more years to harvest their first crop.
By 1920, the average holding at Amber Valley consisted of thirty-eight acres (virtually all crops), three horses, two cattle, and houses and fence, totalling a value at $400, which although was low, was deemed sufficient by the local authorities. Like their white counterparts, the Black farmers did not spend all their working hours in their fields. Cash was always a problem for pioneer farmers, regardless of their colour, and the African Americans supplemented the family budgets by freighting, lumbering, and other jobs that were available seasonally in the area.
The Amber Valley Museum, located within the Amber Valley Community Hall, is available for viewing by advanced reservation. Donations are gratefully accepted and go towards supporting the Amber Valley museum and community hall.
To arrange a tour and learn more about the history of Amber Valley, please contact Gil at (780) 675-3490. If Gil is unavailable, contact Floyd at (780) 675-4395.
Photo: townandcountrytoday.com
With the Black Lives Matter Movement driving global reflections about the current state of our society, understanding how we came to be has brought attention towards Amber Valley, once home to a thriving community of African American settlers founded in 1910. From Oliver Bowen who was raised in the community and oversaw the design and construction of Calgary’s first line of the light rail transit system to Eleanor Collins, whose parents resided in the area, becoming the first Black television host for her own show; the contributions of these families have ingrained rich culture to Canadian history.
One of the largest Black settlements in Western Canada, the community in Amber Valley was founded by families escaping segregation and violence in the United States under Jim Crow laws. Families arrived in response to the Canadian government’s offer of free land in the Western area. Heading to Amber Valley is a great way to further explore this history. The Amber Valley museum located within the Amber Valley Community Hall is available for viewing with advanced reservation and obtains exhibits, a mural on the side of the building and a commemorative plaque. Tours can also be arranged for those looking to gain an in-depth learning experience.