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February is Black History Month
Written by Alicia Isaacs
February is Black History Month, founded by Dr. Carte Woodson, a Harvard trained PH.D.
Black History Month is a time to recognize and honour the achievements and contributions made by blacks in North America in shaping our society.
Black inventors contributed to the many conveniences of modern society such as the ironing board invented by Sarah Boone, clothes dryer –George T. Sarnon, the automatic gear shift by Richard Spikes, the refrigerator – John Standard, the heating furnace – Alice Parker, the elevator – Alexander Miles, and many more.
The world’s first blood bank started after Charles Drew, a black scientist found a way to preserve and store blood.
Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, a black doctor, performed the first open-heart surgery.
In 1858, Sir James Douglas was made governor of British Columbia and is best remembered as the Father of B.C. – the founder of settlement, trade and industry for British Columbia and in particular, Vancouver Island .
In 1994, Emery Barnes became the first black British Columbia Speaker of the B.C. Legislature.
In 1995, Justice Selwyn Romilly was the first black to be appointed to the British Columbia Supreme Court.
In 1957, Ed Searles became one of British Columbia ’s first black lawyer.
A prospector by the name of John Freemont Smith played a major role in the development of the North Thompson Valley District.
Smith was the first black person elected in public office in Canada , possibly in North America . He was alderman for several terms in Kamloops .
From 1912 – 1923, he was the official government Indian agent representing interests of native communities to Ottawa and acting as their legal agent in business and land matters.
Smith was married to Mary Anastasia (Miller). They had six children together.
Aside from politics, Smith was engaged in many other ventures; shoemaker; he discovered gold and silver near Dunn Lake, followed by discoveries at Dixon Creek; he opened up the Barriere Lake Territory and again found good mining prospects; builder; a rancher; and Secretary-Treasurer of the Farmer’s Institute, later becoming President of the Institute.
In 1984, Smith was the first Post Master of Louis Creek earning an annual salary of $25.00.
He was also a freelance journalist.
Hattie Jackson, great grandmother of Oadie Jamerson, local Vavenby resident, worked as a cook at the Blue River saw mills in the early 50’s.
Jackson bought her first house in Blue River by selling chickens and eggs.
Oadie Jamerson came to Clearwater in the early 60’s and worked in construction while he lived in the flats.
Jamerson only spent a short time in Clearwater before returning to Edmonton . He returned to Clearwater with his family a few years later taking up employment in the logging industry then moved to Vavenby where he now spends his retirement.
Sources: The British Columbia Black History Awareness Society. Exploring Our Roots, North Thompson Valley, McLure to Little Fort 1763-1959. Kamloops Museum and Archives.
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