Chatham-Kent Black Canadian historians 'emotional' at receiving Order of Canada

When Shannon Prince and her husband, Bryan, received the email from the Governor General's office asking to talk to them on the phone, Shannon assumed officials were looking for information about an Order of Canada nominee.

So when they learned that it was them who would be receiving one of Canada's highest honours, it was an emotional moment.

"I just sat there and cried and cried," she said.

"And then I thought, 'So what did [we do] to deserve to receive this?'"

The Princes, both sixth-generation descendants of American slaves who fled to Canada, are being honoured for their "commitment to the documentation, preservation and celebration of Black Canadian history, particularly the Underground Railroad in southwestern Ontario," the citation says.

'They are in a league all of their own'

Both have long histories with the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum, which documents the history of the community in Chatham-Kent that was a settlement for fugitive slaves.

Shannon Prince served as the museum's curator from 1999 until her retirement on Dec. 8.

Bryan Prince has been a board member for more than 40 years.

Bryan has also written several books on the history of the Underground Railroad and the slaves who escaped to Canada.

Both Princes have been members of the Underground Railroad Alliance in Ontario and the African Canadian Heritage Network. They've worked on Underground Railroad-related projects with York University, the Underground Railroad Freedom Centre in Cincinnati, Millersville University and several historical organizations in Pennsylvania.

'Incredible work raising awareness'

They continue to farm their ancestral land in Buxton.

"If you have any interest in history, especially local history around here, you have heard of Bryan and Shannon Prince," said Alysson Storey, a Chatham-Kent councillor and a self-described "history nerd."

"They are in a league all of their own. They truly are. They have done incredible work raising awareness about Black history."

Storey recalled taking part one year in the Princes' annual holiday carolling event, which sees Bryan driving one of his farm tractors and towing a covered wagon loaded with carollers as they visit and perform for elderly, widowed and ill neighbours in and around Buxton.

"And then after that, we'd all go back to their house for good cheer and and camaraderie and fellowship," Storey said.

"In addition to all their professional success, they're just personally very warm and friendly and kind people. And they are very giving of their time and knowledge."

Shannon Prince sounded emotional on the phone as she reflected on her aunts and other members of older generations who helped get the Buxton museum off the ground – individuals who never received the Order of Canada for their work.

"When I was growing up, it wasn't really understood as being part of Canadian history. It was just all Black history," she said.

"But it's not. It's Canadian history. And I think more people are becoming aware of the fact that, 'Wow. I guess, you know, Canada had slavery."