Between 1840 and 1860, more than 30,000 American slaves traveled secretly to Canada for their freedom. They escaped to Canada along the Underground Railroad because they were being hunted by slave catchers who were paid to return them to their owners, dead or alive. Professional slave catchers, notorious for their cruelty, tracked runaway slaves all the way from the deep South to the Canadian border. Taking no chances by escaping to the North, the freedom seekers traveled further to Canada after hearing that it was a country that welcomed slaves and refugees.

Canada has a RICH Black History! There are many notable African-Canadian survivors and achievers. The great Harriet Tubman and Josiah Henson, both escaped slaves, returned south hundreds of times to lead others north. A white Canadian, Alexander Ross, travelled to southern plantations, in the guise of a gentleman bird fancier, and directed slaves to the Underground Railroad.

This history lesson was delivered live from Ontario, Canada to Cleveland St School students via SKYPE with Nova Browning Rutherford, who is a volunteer speaker for Passages Canada, the Historica Canada Society.

Her presentation included a map of the numerous escape routes of the Underground Railroad from slave states to free states and Canada (pictured left). She also told the story of Rev. William King who, in 1849, freed 15 slaves that he “inherited” and started the Elgin Settlement for free people in North Buxton, Ontario, Canada. It was the last stop on the Underground Railroad for hundreds of fugitive slaves. Today it is the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum, attracting visitors and tourists – especially during the 80+ year old Annual Labour Day Weekend Homecoming.