The Harriet Tubman Institute (HTI) for Research on Africa and its Diasporas at York University stands as a leading center for multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research. Dedicated to exploring the complex histories and contemporary realities of Africans and people of African descent, the Institute offers a space where scholarship, memory, and community engagement converge.

At its core, the Institute’s mission is rooted in a simple but profound understanding: the past is inseparable from the present. The experiences of Africans and their diasporas shape today’s realities in Canada and across the globe. By examining this interconnected history, the HTI highlights the diversity of Blackness, interrogates its meaning in the Canadian context, and fosters a deeper awareness of the contributions and struggles of African-descended peoples.

Through its unique research niche, the Institute provides York faculty, students, and the wider public with insights into the richness and diversity of the African and diasporic experience. This work not only deepens our understanding of Canadian society but also situates Canada within global conversations on race, migration, and identity.

Learn more: The Harriet Tubman Institute

Honouring Harriet Tubman’s Canadian Legacy

In recognition of the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015–2024), the Harriet Tubman Institute is launching an ambitious new initiative: a Virtual Museum dedicated to Harriet Tubman’s time in Canada.

Titled The Underground Railroad to St. Catharines: Harriet Tubman’s Canadian Legacy, the museum will shine a light on Tubman’s years in St. Catharines, Ontario—her northern base of operations and the last stop on the Underground Railroad.

By the 1850s, following the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act in the United States, St. Catharines had become a hub of abolitionist activity. With strong community support, freedom seekers were able to settle, find work, and build new lives in Canada. Tubman’s presence was pivotal. Her network and leadership drew allies and visitors including Frederick Douglass and John Brown, making the city an epicenter of resistance and resilience.

The Virtual Museum project, developed in partnership with Digital Museums Canada (DMC), will showcase:

• Historical photographs and records documenting Tubman’s era.

• Stories of early Black settlers in southern Ontario.

• Testimonies and voices of descendants who carry this history forward.

• Resources curated from museums and historical sites across Amherstburg, Buxton, St. Catharines, and Dresden.

Through this digital archive, the Harriet Tubman Institute seeks to honour Tubman’s struggle for freedom while preserving the legacies of those she guided northward.

Events and Community Engagement

The Institute is not only a hub of research but also a vibrant center of dialogue and creativity. Recent and upcoming events include:

• Open House 2024 & Networking Event (October 3, 2024) – A gathering of scholars, students, and community members to connect and share knowledge.

• United Nations Workshop on commodity price volatility and sustainable development, co-led by HTI Director Salewa Olawoye.

• Poetic JuXtice: Resilience – A moving performance by poet Kay Tracey, reflecting on Black autonomy, identity, and resilience.

• International Conference in Dakar, Senegal (2023) – A global platform for research and dialogue on African and diasporic experiences.

Why This Work Matters

The Harriet Tubman Institute reminds us that the study of African and diasporic histories is not confined to the past—it is a living, evolving dialogue that informs how we understand ourselves, our communities, and our nations today. By documenting and amplifying these stories, the Institute not only safeguards memory but also empowers future generations to build on this legacy of resilience and transformation.

The upcoming Virtual Museum is one more step in ensuring that Harriet Tubman’s courage, leadership, and enduring vision of freedom continue to inspire people in Canada and around the world.

For inquiries about the Museum: [email protected] 

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