RCI | English : Portraits of Black Canadians

Slavery Remembered

The abolition of slavery was commemorated in 2004.

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Black History Month

Every February Canadians celebrate the history of Blacks in Canada.

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Donovan Bailey

The athlete's meteoric rise to fame is one of Canada's remarkable success stories.

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Suzette Mayr

The author spotlights issues involving race and ethnicity interethnic people.

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Maka Kotto

Poet, actor, stage director, and first black Afrcan elected to the Canadian Parliament.

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George Elliott Clarke

The author describes the rich oral narratives and cultural traditions of Blacks in Nova Scotia.

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Michaëlle Jean

Canada's first black Governor General.

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Dany Laferrière

The author became a huge success by poking fun at racial stereotypes.

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Dr. Hervé Blanchard

Dr. Blanchard has cared for 30 years (1970-2000) for many children in Quebec, notably at the Sainte-Justine Hospital in Montreal, where he saved the lives of newborn babies with congenital anomalies. He is recognized as the pioneer in Quebec of pediatric kidney transplantation (performed for the first time in 1974), and liver transplantation in children (performed for the first time in 1985). This brilliant surgeon also shared his knowledge with more than a generation of students from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Montreal.

Duration: 3:41

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Charlie Biddle

Remembered as the father of the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Charles Biddle lent his name to the club that kept the groove going year-round.  Biddles, now known as The House of Jazz, was a draw for jazz stars and fans, from around the world.  Charles Biddle was made a member of the Order of Canada in 2003. The Saint Jean Baptiste Society said, ‘without him, Quebecers might not have developed their love for jazz’.

Duration: 2:46

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