The Saugeen Times

Blues artists captivate students with story of the Underground Railway
By Liz Dadson

Education

To Comment on this article Click Here

Diana Braithwaite (in back) encourages student volunteers to join in by clapping their hands and playing basic instruments, such as sticks, spoons and a washboard

It's a familiar tale about runaway slaves from the south, travelling the Underground Railway to safety in the north.

But when told by Blues artists Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley, the story came to life, and captivated the students from St. Anthony's School and Kincardine Township-Tiverton Public School Friday morning.

Entitled "Sugar and Gold," the performance was part of the Blues in the Schools, sponsored by the Bruce County Blues, with financial support from the Power Workers' Union. The show was presented to Huron Heights Public School and Ripley-Huron Community School students in the afternoon at Huron Heights.

Braithwaite and Whiteley touched on several major players in the story of the Underground Railway, including Harriet Tubman who was known as "Moses" because she helped slaves reach the promised land - Canada or "Canaan land;" Dr. Alexander Milton Ross or "The Birdman" who came from Belleville, Ontario; and Mary Ann Shadd who contributed to the Ontario education system and later became the first black female lawyer in the United States.

The story told of the fearful journey taken by fugitive slaves from the southern U.S. to Canada. They walked through the water to escape detection and travelled at night, following the north star. The majority came north and ended up in southern Ontario and the Maritimes. Others travelled south through the U.S. to Cuba and Mexico.

Bounty hunters were always on the look-out for runaways. Rewards were as high as $600 which equals $30,000 to $40,000 today, for capturing slaves.

In 1865, slavery was abolished and many fugitives returned to their homes in the southern U.S., to be reunited with their families. But others remained in Canada and made it their new home. They brought the Blues music with them and often played simple instruments, such as sticks, spoons and washboards, to while away the cold winters.

The story then took a personal turn, as Braithwaite talked about her great-great-great-grandfather who followed the north star and escaped into Canada, creating a new life and a new home here. "From Africa to Canada, here we are eight generations later," she said.

She began singing when she was four years old. Now, she and Whiteley travel around the world doing Blues concerts and festivals.

They began their "Sugar and Gold" show four years ago and have performed it to about 40,000 students in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and all over Ontario. They are hoping to take it to the Maritimes soon.

Braithwaite and Whiteley met about 20 years ago and have been singing as a duo for the past six years. Their partnership has become personal as they are getting married March 12. Both are from Pickering and they have released three CDs together.

For more information about their show, check the website at http://www.braithwaiteandwhiteley.com/ugrr.html.

wash