In the early 1900s, there was an influx of immigrants who came to Cape Breton in search of work for the Dominion Iron and Steel Company. Skilled Black workers were recruited from America, the West Indies, and other parts of Nova Scotia to work in the extreme conditions of the steel plant. They predominantly settled in the “Pier”. Through storytelling, our special guest Bradley Sheppard highlights the experience of the Black migration to Cape Breton as part of this wave.

Episode Summary: Community Introduced, Guest’s Connection to the community, Job opportunities & Work conditions, Bob Marley’s Redemption Song, and The African Orthodox Church.

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Home to one of the oldest and largest Indigenous Black populations in Nova Scotia, the community of North Preston saw settlers from multiple migration waves starting with the Black Loyalist in 1783, the Jamaican Maroons in 1796, and the Black Refugees from the War of 1812. With our special guest Nevell Provo we uncovered the geographical boundaries and some of the ongoing challenges within the community.

Episode Summary: Community Introduced, Guest’s Connection to Community, How land ownership within the Community Impacted the Provo family, International Travel for education and basketball, and Inspiration behind Nevell's Long Lake Article.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode and want explore and uncover more of this historical content, please follow us on Instagram @LoyalistConnectionsPodcast, and join Loyalist Connections Community on Patreon.com (patreon.com/loyalistconnections) and to unlock exclusive content including the unedited version of this episode. Until next time… Stay Connected!

We are starting where it all began. Birchtown is one of the oldest African Nova Scotian communities, established in 1783. Shelburne is the site of the first documented race riot in North America. Our discussion with historian Graham Nickerson uncovers the arrival of the Black Loyalists, their resourcefulness, and what led to the 1784 Race Riot.

Episode Summary: Community Introduced, Guest’s Connection to Community, Introduction to the Black Loyalist, Significant and Influential figures within the community, and the 1784 Shelburne Race Riot.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode and want explore and uncover more of this historical content, please follow us on Instagram @LoyalistConnectionsPodcast, and join Loyalist Connections Community on Patreon.com (patreon.com/loyalistconnections) and to unlock exclusive content including the unedited version of this episode. Until next time… Stay Connected!