World at War Speaker Series – A Black Canadian Perspective: Fighting for Freedom and Equality
Feb. 18, 2027
Price: $15 + tax
Contemporary Legacies of the American Civil War in Canada
The American Civil War left a profound and lasting mark on Canada — shaping everything from our military defence and parliamentary democracy to our treaty commitments, ongoing struggles for social justice, and evolving relationship with the United States. The War’s legacies are still with us today, woven into the fabric of our national story.
We invite you to join us for three compelling lectures that explore the historical roots and present-day relevance of the American Civil War for Canada. Through lively, in-depth conversations between the Canadian War Museum’s curators and guest co-creators, each lecture will offer a fresh perspective drawn from the exhibition. Together, we will focus on selected objects and images, uncovering the powerful stories they hold and the diverse viewpoints they represent.
Guests are encouraged to explore the exhibition either before or after the lectures to enrich their experience and deepen their connection to the objects and ideas that will be discussed.
Dr. Shannon Prince
Dr. Shannon Prince is a descendant from the historic Elgin Settlement and Buxton Mission, which was a haven for fugitive slaves prior to emancipation. After 25 years, she retired as Curator of the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum. Dr. Prince has been a member of several organizations in Canada and the United States that research and promote the story of slavery and freedom, including the Underground Railroad and the American Civil War.
Bryan Prince
Bryan Prince is an historian and author of many works on slavery and freedom. Among his books is My Brother’s Keeper: African Canadians and the American Civil War. He is a descendant of enslaved people who found freedom at the Elgin Settlement and Buxton Mission in present day Ontario. His particular interest in individual stories and honouring forgotten voices guided the development of the Black history content in this exhibition.
Prince, along with his wife, Shannon, has researched and lectured in many parts of North America. They were both named to the Order of Canada in 2023 for their “commitment to the documentation, preservation and celebration of Black Canadian history, particularly the Underground Railroad in southwestern Ontario.”
Dr. Shannon Prince
Bryan Prince
General admission: $15 + tax
Members: $11.25 + tax – Buy tickets here.
The lectures will be given in English with multilingual simultaneous interpretation available on your personal device.
The World at War Speaker Series is an annual program of compelling lectures, presented by the Canadian War Museum. Visit our website and follow us on social media for the latest information on upcoming events.
