Gallery of Trailblazers celebrates Dr. Shadd, many other Black pioneers

Dr. Yemi Laosebikan was the emcee at Wednesday’s event, and he told northeastNOW that Black History Month is a time to acknowledge, recognize, and celebrate the activities and contributions of Black people and people of African descent.

“It is very important to just remind us of the history, and link the history to the present,” explained Dr. Yemi.

Dr. Yemi Laosebikan addresses the crowd at Wednesday’s opening reception. (Cam Lee/northeastNOW Staff)

He said they tried to recognize and remember Dr. Shadd and his many contributions to the Melfort area over 100 years ago. Dr. Yemi called Dr. Shadd “Saskatchewan’s great pioneer Black physician.”

“Over a short period of time, he really impacted this community and Saskatchewan as a whole,” explained Dr. Yemi.

Dr. Shadd was a true man of many talents, many of which helped Melfort shape its identity. He was not only a doctor but was also an educator, entrepreneur, journalist, farmer, and much more. Dr. Shadd helped bring a newspaper to Melfort for the first time and helped establish the Melfort Agricultural Society.

“Very phenomenal individual and how he was able to embody all of that potential within his young mind is quite interesting and serves as an inspiration,” Dr. Yemi said.

Dr. Shadd lived in the area for several years before he died in Winnipeg of appendicitis at just 45 years old. The City of Melfort has named Shadd Dr. and Shadd St. after him.

Aaron and Lynette Kornberger from 3D Creations by Aaron donated the bust, while the pedestal was designed and donated by Barry Thalheimer of Thalheimer Woodcrafts.

Aaron and Lynette Kornberger of 3D Creations by Aaron posing with the bust they made of Dr. Shadd. (Cam Lee/northeastNOW Staff)

While much of the focus of Wednesday’s opening reception was on Dr. Shadd, the display in the Sherven Smith Art Gallery also featured information on Black people across Saskatchewan with a wide variety of accomplishments. Dr. Yemi said one of the struggles they faced when making the exhibition is coming up with information on individuals that they knew, as it was quite scarce.

“One of the projects that we’re going to embark on over the course of the year is getting more information about people of African descent who have contributed to Saskatchewan so that we can grow this gallery over the years.”

Some of the individuals highlighted in the exhibition are from areas served by Pattison Media. That includes Freda (Jamerson) Ellis, born in North Battleford in 1933. She was an active union leader, serving as President and several other roles in the Labour Council Human Rights Commission.

(Cam Lee/northeastNOW Staff)

Gordon Yarde, originally from Barbados, worked at Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford in 1977. He is believed to be the first person of African descent elected to office in Saskatchewan, serving multiple terms on Battleford’s town council, starting back in 1985.

(Cam Lee/northeastNOW Staff)

Harry Jerome was born in Prince Albert in 1940, and earned a bronze medal in the 100 metres at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. He also set seven world records in his career. After retiring from the sport, Jerome worked with Canada’s Ministry of Sport, passing away of an aneurysm at just 42 years of age. The Harry Jerome Track at Prime Ministers Park in Prince Albert was named in his honour.

(Cam Lee/northeastNOW)

Dr. Yemi said he and his wife Foluke moved to Melfort in 2004 and raised a family in the community. At Wednesday’s event they both gave thanks to Melfort for giving them an opportunity to make the community home.

“This is a home that our kids know and they are doing well and excelling, and that’s just because of the love of the community,” said Dr. Yemi. “That’s one of the things that we need to celebrate as well, a community that allows people to not just survive, but thrive.”

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

by Cam Lee

Gallery of Trailblazers celebrates Dr. Shadd, many other Black pioneers

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