The United Way of Bruce Grey has entered into a charitable partnership with the Negro Creek Committee.
The committee is in support of Early Black Settlers of Negro Creek Memorial Park.
The landmark project will preserve and celebrate the history of one of Grey County’s earliest Black Communities.
United Way Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn said that she’s happy to share insights with community organizations to help them achieve their own fundraising.
“It’s a way for us to help and support the community, beyond just all the programs we run, enabling grassroots initiatives to get their feet underneath them, and try some things and figure things out, and learn and improve our community overall,” she said. “And if we can loan out our structure for that, all the merrier.”
The announcement was made ahead of the 164th Emancipation Weekend, which invites the community to learn more about Black history in Grey and Bruce.
She said that it’s important to remember those who came before, both with Truth & Reconciliation with Indigenous communities, and with the region’s like to the Underground Railroad.
“We recognize our role around the Emancipation piece, the Underground Railroad… We need to tell those stories… the ugly truth, as well as the positive truth about our history as a society,” Dobbyn said. “We need to pay attention to things, because as they say, when we don’t pay attention to history it tends to repeat.”
Beginning in the 1840s, Black families settled in the Negro Creek area after seeking freedom and opportunity in Upper Canada, and the park will help tell the story of perseverance, resilience, and contributions that helped shape the community.
The memorial park, planned for the Township of Chatsworth, will include a central commemorative monument, interpretive storyboards, a walking trail, family history markers, and educational displays that are designed to tell the story of the area’s early Black settlers, and their legacy.
“Human rights are so important, and anti-racism initiatives are so important,” Dobbyn continued. “And I just think it’s so important to recognize that history and that other people were here.”
Construction of the memorial park continues to move forward following years of planning and collaboration with descendants, local historians, volunteers, and community partners.
The project has also received support from the Township of Chatsworth and other organizations committed to preserving local Black history.