This documentary pays tribute to a group of Canadians who took racism to court. They are Canada's unsung heroes in the fight for Black civil rights. Focusing on the 1930s to the 1950s, this film documents the struggle of 6 people who refused to accept inequality. Featured here, among others, are Viola Desmond, a woman who insisted on keeping her seat at the Roseland movie theatre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia in 1946 rather than moving to the section normally reserved for the city's Black population, and Fred Christie, who took his case to the Supreme Court after being denied service at a Montreal tavern in 1936. These brave pioneers helped secure justice for all Canadians. Their stories deserve to be told.
Ages 12 to 17
Study Guide - Guide 1
Civics/Citizenship - Human Rights
Diversity - Black Studies
Diversity - Diversity in Communities
History and Citizenship Education - Civil Rights and Freedoms
Have students research the history of a non-white group of immigrants/residents of Canada, detailing where they settled, conflicts that arose, laws that discriminated, and so on. Then have students interview an elder from their community. They can ask questions about how things were for minorities in Canada in the years leading up to the civil-rights movement. Were they exposed to racism? Students can then discuss how things may have changed – or not.