Latin American Womyn's Collective march on International Women's Day, 1985. Courtesy of Magaly San Martin | |
Discover the power of steelpan music and the activism of Toronto's Latin American community | |
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The weather may be cooling down, but we're heating up as we launch two digital experiences. Timbre from Trinidad to Toronto is a new digital story that explores the contributions and importance of the steelpan to Toronto's music and Trinbagonian community through the first-hand accounts of four leading steelpan artists.
Born out of the Trinbagonian diaspora of the 1960s, Toronto's unique steelpan music incorporated urban genres of R&B, dancehall, and pop. While propelled in public popularity by school and community-based programs beginning in the 1980s, and competitions and performances at Caribbean-Canadian events, today's steelpan bands remain non-profit, community organizations that continue to face challenges in securing funding and practice spaces. For more on steelpan's roots and future, read and listen now!
Next for Latin American Heritage Month, we feature a new self-guided digital tour on Latin American immigration to the city and the individuals who shaped community through activism and volunteer services at community centres, on streets, and in neighbourhoods.
Riding the Waves: Toronto's Latin American Community examines the period between the 1970s and 1990s, defined by two major waves of immigration. Get out your smartphone or settle down in front of your computer and immerse yourself in diverse stories of exiles fleeing dictatorships, refugees escaping violence, and activists seeking social justice.
These digital experiences were developed as part of our Emerging Historians Program and a partnership with the 2022 LA&PS Internship Program through York University. They were researched and written by Jodie Chinnery and Alonso Melgar.
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Kate Marshall at the Home Children plaque presentation, September 2018. Image: Herman Custodio | |
Announcing our 2022 Volunteer Service Award | |
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With a 10 to 1 ratio of volunteers to staff, Heritage Toronto is a volunteer-led and a volunteer dependent charity. This past year, we relied on this dedicated service, deeply appreciative of our volunteers’ support as we worked to rebuild our in-person programs.
A stellar example of this volunteer leadership and commitment is Kate Marshall, who is the recipient of the 2022 Volunteer Service Award. Kate is being recognized for her extraordinary work over the past 16 years and counting.
Kate first joined Heritage Toronto as a tour assistant in 2006, furthering her volunteer commitment with a director role on the Heritage Toronto Board in 2011, serving as its Chair from 2014 to 2019. Since then, Kate has continued her volunteer work as the Awards Book Jury Chair from 2019 to present.
Kate has spent her professional career in a variety of senior advertising and marketing roles at diverse private and public sector organizations around the world, and is currently the Vice President of Client Services and General Manager at DAY Communications.
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Join us in congratulating Kate and other award winners at the Heritage Toronto Awards on October 17, including the Peoples' Choice Award winner, decided by Heritage Toronto supporters and event attendees. Buy a ticket or make a donation and you will have the opportunity to vote (deadline October 7) for your favourite public history project. The winner will receive a $1000 cash prize.
The Heritage Toronto Awards bring together leaders, innovators and emerging professionals from across cultural, development, and policy-making sectors to celebrate outstanding achievements in Toronto’s heritage. The event is also Heritage Toronto's major fundraiser of the year, raising monies in support of our public programming. See heritagetoronto.org for more information.
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Emerging Historians Sponsor | |
Tour participants, August 14, 2022 | |
START: Leaside Memorial Community Gardens (1073 Millwood Road) | |
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Leaside Memorial Gardens Arena opened in 1951, six years after the end of World War II, a time of population growth when many hockey rinks were being built across the province. By 1963, the original arena underwent major renovations and was renamed in honour of Leaside's servicemen during World War II. A stainless-steel plaque in the community garden lists the names of those who lost their lives.
This arena also provided the start for many professional hockey careers, including those of NHL players: Peter Mahovlich Jr., Terry Caffery, Paul Gardner, Tom Edur and Mike McEwen.
Learn more about the Leaside neighbourhood on this tour. Last chance to catch the tour this season!
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October 8 | 3:00 PM
DONATIONS REQUESTED, LOUDSPEAKER TOUR
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Tour participants, July 23, 2022. Image: Ashley Duffus | |
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The Watchers, 2002, by Peter Von Tiesenhausen travelled 30,000 km over five years to get to Toronto. The work, featuring direct castings from five hand-carved and charred wooden figures, was transported via an old pickup truck, the deck of the Coast Guard vessel and by helicopter on a seagoing barge - exposed to the elements and witness to Canada's changing geography and nature.
Learn more about this artwork, its powerful message, and others on our public art tour of Yonge Street. Last chance to catch the tour this season!
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October 9 | 11:00 AM
$20 FEE, HEADSET TOUR
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Close-up of Chinese Railway Workers Memorial, June 25, 2022. Image: Ashley Duffus | |
START: Chinese Railway Workers Memorial (9 Blue Jays Way) | |
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17,000 Chinese immigrants worked on the construction of the transcontinental Canadian Pacific Railway, and were given the most dangerous tasks resulting in an estimated 4000 deaths. Following the completion of the railway, the Canadian Government enacted the Chinese Head Tax (1885) and passed the Electoral Franchise Act (1885) which prohibited those of Chinese descent from voting in Canadian elections.
This history is commemorated by the Chinese Railway Workers Memorial, featuring the form of a railway trestle and life-size workers precariously moving a beam into place. A stop on this last tour of the season, join us to learn more about our railway history and hear these under-told stories of Chinese workers, Indigenous communities and Black porters.
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October 15 | 3:00 PM
$20 FEE, HEADSET TOUR
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This tour was developed with the support of a generous donation by Andrew and Sharon Himel and the Himel Family. | |
Our 2022 Tours season was made possible by our Presenting Sponsor:
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Heritage Toronto staff at Berczy Park, August 9, 2022. Image: Ashley Duffus | |
Grow your career with us! | |
Looking for experience in a development portfolio, a career skill which is in high demand throughout the not-for-profit sector? If you are a proactive, problem solver who is excited for a challenge and thrives working on a dynamic and diverse portfolio, we're looking for a Development Coordinator. This 16-month, full-time contract will join our small, high-energy team and provide support in the areas of philanthropy and sponsorship. The application deadline is this Monday, October 10. | |
Emerging Historian opportunities are made possible with the support of our donors and program partners: | |
Century House Plaque, garden installation. Image: Jane Somerville | |
Giving thanks for your old home | |
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This upcoming long weekend, when we reflect on the many things we are grateful for, celebrating with family, friends and food, how about a thought for your old home? Celebrate the shelter it has provided and the many stories it has witnessed over the years with the purchase of a Century House Plaque.
These elegant address markers add instant curb appeal to any 100+ year old home. They also make a great gift and support our charity and its work to celebrate the diverse heritage of our city.
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A review of advocacy efforts for the preservation of the Mount Pleasant landmark and discussions on a new future for the old theatre. (Toronto Storeys) | |
For some housing advocates, this factory linked to the history of Toronto's Chinese community has become a flashpoint for built-up frustration with the city’s heritage department. (Toronto Star) | |
This local program encourages emerging artists from different communities and life experiences to showcase their artistic talents while tackling the mark left by the heavy industry of the past on Scarborough's landscape. (CBC) | | | | | |
