Deeply Rooted: A black family's history as 7th-generation Canadians | Short Docs | CBC

[@paulineshields5280]

Raymond Downey is a beautiful person inside and out.I knew him since we were children and he will always be very special to me ♥️🤗🥊🏆⭐️

[@malikcollinz]

I'm in half these pictures! The 21 children are my grandmothers sisters and brothers

[@terrilandry1191]

You have an amazing family and history to be proud of.

[@SystemFl00d3r]

malik collins-liburd lies

[@robertdowney1503]

Malik Collins is a cousin of my Downey-Collins family. He’s not lying.

[@MISTERALSTON]

Sending love from the States to my Nova Scotian cousins. "Black Americans" have not forgotten you. Keep fighting.

[@daviddarden1915]

I am proud of you Canadian cousins from the American cousin.

[@Its_just_zell]

Stand TALL. Stand FIRM. For you are DEEPLY ROOTED here.

[@silentthought2871]

Are there ANY of the Gladney Family (blacks) or relatives there-of in Canada?

[@KaylaElizabeth_h]

5 generations before me, several of my ancestors made it to Southern Ontario through the underground railroad. It's interesting to hear more stories from other families like mine.

[@HindiOliver]

I know its very interesting to be able to see this video, I think the reason she say people are like surprise to hear about so many brown people in "Nova Scotia because it is cold, and they didn't think as many would live there and having to go through racism too!!

[@terrilandry1191]

I will never understand why people are unaware of the number of black Canadians who have deep roots going back as far as the 1770's in Canada. They fled north frequently during the War of Independence, especially when it became clear that the British were going to lose, for fear of being returned to their owners and remaining slaves. I'm not sure why there are so many black communities in Nova Scotia and so few in other Maritime provinces, but that is the way it worked out. There are any number of stories like the story of this family.Fine, upstanding families who have no connections to the stereotypical drugs and gangs, and instead boast a proud history of military service and/or a variety of impressive accomplishments. It shocks me that people don't know this, especially those who were born here. We are taught about The Underground Railroad in school and should be aware of it.

[@OakleyANDSittingBull]

@Terri Landry, I wonder your age because I grew up in a Canadian city where Ms. Harriet Tubman and other Underground Railroad luminaries resided for years and built a strong, respected community yet neither my older sister nor myself were taught in elementary or secondary school anything to do with that part of our local, and nationwide, Canadian history involving people of African descent, as owned "slaves," "freed" humans or even since. I left my hometown in my mid-teens and returned at the age of forty and simply happened upon that particular history of the area (which is now a self-sabotaging, vastly cognitively negative, miserable, abusive and incredibly racist, nationalist and misogynist region where [outside the Indigenous North American death camps... "reservations"] 75% of the nation's documented human trafficking cases and the highest percentages of all social issues are freely permitted to destroy the most vulnerable of residents) and it broke my heart to have to tell my father about it. With him originally being from the U.S.A. and of African and Indigenous North American ethnocultural descent and heritage along with my Celtic European mother raising two children of such a background he and our family should have been made aware of such an amazing history when he purchased his first of two homes there, not even 50 years ago. Canada's whitewashing public education system, history of African human "slave" owning, and "white" European supremacist and forced assimilationist society has a lot to answer for.

[@novelenetaylor2110]

Then you guys should make it known. Very cool. I think.

[@stephanwiechmann6716]

I am one of them. I carry my mother's last name which is german. I feel like the afro-canadian side was really the first immigrants here. Not much recognition in the education system here about the past. I used to tell classmates that there have been black people here since the 1700's. They thought I was nuts. Then we got overrun by the westindians that became the majority.

[@cashcleaner]

Man, I tell you, as a student of Canadian History and Military history, many Black Canadians and Indigenous Canadians were absolute WARRIORS and played a huge role in the defence of this country. From the American War of Independence and the War of 1812 up to the World Wars of last century and later, so many served with great distinction.

[@bengoodhart6075]

Because your people are a very small number.

[@itzyzaza1806]

This was absolutely beautiful and it speaks to the contributions our ancestors made that others attempt to deny.

[@jeromedowney6751]

Solid production congrats to everyone involved.

[@terrilandry1191]

Your family is amazing and what being Canadian is all about, the dream. It's too bad so many can't see it. Maybe someday we'll all realize we are the same underneath it all.

[@claytoncobb555]

Thanks for sharing and congrats on the film! I'm so happy to see this narrative being told! Your family's story disrupts the dominant narrative of Who/What is a Canadian and that the Black presence in Canada is a recent occurrence! I'll definitely be using this in my Race & Ethnic Relations and Black Canadian Studies classes!

[@rosestewart1606]

Clayton Cobb lol I know. It's funny isn't it. We get so caught up in this idea of French and English "Canadian" history that we don't really know about the families who settled here or the communities that they built. I love learning about other people's families especially in Nova Scotia because the history is so rich.

[@riaedmond11]

Beautiful story! Thank you for sharing your lovely, resilient family. Everybody should be proud to have such a history of true patriotism.

[@Niia090]

As an African American am really interested in Afro Canadian descendants of slavery or those who escaped the us during slavery. I want to learn all about their plight, culture customs and their experience as a people in Canada…

[@gamexsimmonds3581]

They also dont tell you that the earliest Documted black folks that appear in Canadian weren't American slaves at All. There was a black man who worked on a ship(probably as a translated or naviagtor) and he arrived in Nova Scotia on a European ship in 1608 as a Free Man. Over 400 years of documented history in Canada. I have spoken about Black history and Nova Scotian history to American(Black americans) and some of then even seem to look down on our history when we tell them about it, or like all of our black culture and history is just us copying balck Americans which is a very odd stance to me. The African web of people spread across the world is very large and I guess most Americans having not been taught much about stuff happening out the borders of the USA find it hard to believe but sometimes it can almost a little hurtful when we've been in Nova Scotia almost as long as African Americans have been in the USA amd certainly longer than most of the folks in the western states

[@nnekadowney6549]

A beautiful story that is still being told. Thanks gurl you knocked it out the park:) This is what it truly means to be a Downey from Canada.

[@CBC]

Glad it is meaningful for you Nneka.

[@alaindesgranges363]

Very informative - thanks to Robert a neighbor of ours here in Avalon community - thanks Robert and it was nice meeting you yesterday

[@barbaraplaisance2515]

What a rich and amazing family history! You can be very proud about that. God bless you and your loving family

[@laylacarter9004]

@Barbara thank you so much sweetie ❤❤

[@lorraineredd8572]

I love my family! This is truly a great documentary of our history. Thank you for your work, I appreciated this.

[@alexanderreddick7090]

This is great!

[@marilynspink7808]

Thank you for sharing your story. An education for my Canadian children beyond what they learn in school.

[@rcafmaintainer3723]

Great piece of Canadian history! As a military member myself, thanks for your family’s service. A lot persons colour are contributing and have contributed to Canada. They should be be shown to the younger generation, that need to see someone who looks like them, who has accomplished something. Many young people don’t see a positive future, this needs to be part of their learning. Great documentary. Thanks.

[@NewMediaMaiven]

Ms Cazhhmere, this is an important film for Canadians? Thank you to your wonderful family for sharing a part of their lives. The production is just beautiful.

[@armcrescent]

As a fellow Haligonian trying to learn the black history we weren't exposed to in school I really appreciate this video. I envy your strong sense of community and close family. I would love to see more videos like this.

[@DoYouTodayInc]

Thank you very much - you have a wonderful family - you have truly shared a piece of Canadian history with us. Much appreciated.

[@lynns5675]

Thank you for this. I found it very inspirational but also was a great reminder of how little we know about our Black history. My father, Paul, grew up on Creighton Street and was very good friends of the Downy's. In fact, he spent a lot of time in their household growing up. I have recently become determined to dig into my roots, as like yourself I'm a 7th generation Canadian and with this documentary you have inspired me to keep digging. Thank you

[@I33sheeshee]

As a Black Caribbean Canadian I am so glad that this history is being told! Black people have BEEN in Canada!

[@wigsontop]

and you're welcome for your freedom hun!

[@Imancabistan]

Their ancestors were brave and smart to move to Canada

[@MathewMarkAnau]

I love Dwayne Johnson and when I found out when his father was Nova Scotian I was stunned, partly because I didn't know much about African Descend Canadians. I'm proud of these people, esp. their military background, and how they fought their way out of tyranny and difficulties. I wish to one day meet these amazing black people and learn from them many inspiration through their history.

[@robertdowney1503]

Wayde Bowles aka professional wrestler, Rocky Johnson - father of Dwayne “ The Rock” Johnson - a native of Amherst, Nova Scotia.

[@LUVJONZ99]

Thank you for sharing...we need to tell these stories..AA are world citizens!

[@chrislewisbusinesssolution5200]

Absolutely amazing film. Eye opening, extremely well filmed

[@9xprincess]

Great learning about your culture from a black Caribbean-American!!

[@MicDeluxx]

Thank you for sharing this. I send you greetings from Tampa Florida.

[@valeriegibson83]

Very interesting family! So glad I watched this!

[@douglasemmett8686]

Thanks for sharing family in another world

[@lduncan7660]

It's nice to see this documentary showing that there are also blacks who are long time Canadians. I too am a person who is very Canadian. I am of a mixed background (black/white). I have roots on the black side of my family going back to around 1802 in Yarmouth Nova Scotia. The white side of my family is from Newfoundland, but I have little info on family members before my great grandparents who were born there also. Like it was said in the documentary, many people assume I am not as Canadian as them because of my brown skin, yet I have more cultural heritage than many (at least 3 to 5 generations of Canadian born family members). Thanks for this video you made Cazhhmere Downey, well done!

[@michelleshelvey661]

Thank you for sharing your Candian story with us.

[@leodoyle689]

Great job on the film cousin. Looking forward to see you at the next reunion for grandad

[@mielledowney2379]

My Family's history is so interesting, and I remember my father speaking about it.

[@SuzieQ90]

The music is masterful along with the documentary 👏👏👏 well done. This needs to be taught in schools

[@carmenhomer1965]

I am enjoying this, very informative.

[@bigimanust]

very nice film .Your Downey Family is also my family .(North Preston Roots). Bravo to you on this film.

[@robertdowney1503]

My grandfather, George Alexander Downey was born in North Preston. He was the son of David A Downey and Nancy N (Beals) Downey Tabb. My maternal 2X great grandparents Henry Samuel Collins and Pricilla (Winder/Whynder) Collins were also fro North Preston, Nova Scotia.

[@marianaveletic-applewoodhe5591]

My student shoed me this videoMy student J.F. Downey showed me this video as a part of his family history project. I will use it regularly in my grade 10 History class to complete the picture of Canadian history of the 20th century. Very well done. Thanks a lot. My student shoed me this video

[@MegaBrotherA]

Thank you for sharing your family history.

[@Ivan-pg9uu]

Amazing story. How can I find the song @ 20:48? Absolutely beautiful

[@dairyqueen8402]

Not sure, but do you know the song from the very beginning?

[@christopherperkins1894]

Such a great documentary greetings from Montreal Quebec 🇨🇦

[@mariagentles1106]

Spent time this winter with The Downey's. True salt of the Earth.

[@KayDurrant]

This is a beautiful story of FAMILY. I LOVE IT

[@MathewMarkAnau]

I love Dwayne Johnson and when I found out when his father was Nova Scotian I was stunned, partly because I didn't know much about African Descend Canadians. I'm proud of these people, esp. their military background, and how they fought their way out of tyranny and difficulties. I wish to one day meet these amazing black people and learn from them many inspiration through their history. 16:03

[@cyntrez1]

Beautiful depiction of Scotia! Love to hear the positive stories Song is on point at the end! 👌🏾

[@carolevans823]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that song.

[@sheilaflint1495]

Well done

[@robertyerex2113]

Nicely done Family. Thank you for this.

[@erthadowney9577]

Thank you so very much for this

[@aglopryce552]

Hi Cazh, first I want to say thank you for this beautiful film. Although my roots are Canadian/Guyanese I felt a close connection to your story. I recently came back from a Halifax vacation. We met your uncle Robert Downey on our way out and he gave such a great history of the area and introduced us to the legacy of The Fighting Downey's.

[@robertdowney1503]

Greetings! That would be me - Robert D Downey Jr

[@alexrascanu]

Great documentary! Thank you, CBC.

[@tryhardradio6046]

Thank you!

[@GLockStarlinerNumber1]

Thank you for this. I was so happy to see poeple I personally know

[@z9944x]

Very cool Documentary ! ;o)

[@kingabijah]

Peace to Billy Downey. really good with his hands.

[@flex1481]

Foreal RIP!

[@robertdowney1503]

@@flex1481 Cousin Billy “ Dynamite “🧨 Downey

[@helenuyi-osagie2990]

Great story! Thanks for sharing 🙌🏽

[@undotype2diabetes411]

Thank you for sharing your family with us.

[@buffalonewyorker257]

My people my beautiful people. ADOS.

[@6KidsandaHusband]

Such a great video, you have a great channel

[@divoradowney2149]

Yes girl thank you for this video.

[@deeallen1526]

I've enjoyed this video. I'm black american and your story reminds me of our culture here in the States. Most black canadians are first generation and I feel out of touch with them. They identify as caribbean or african. It's good to know that there are traditional black canadians out there, foundational black canadians.

[@dwaynep7246]

They took black american from the south and move them to nova Scotia, so they are our people.

[@QLivin]

Foundational Black Americans and Foundational Black Canadians 🇺🇸 🇨🇦

[@lisaadrienne9852]

I knew a Diane Downey who lived in Toronto but was from NovaScotia, she was my babysitter and I adored her...she had a son Jason and daughter Suzie (Suzette)... I wonder where she could be today?

[@HindiOliver]

"I know this video is old but I came across it, while looking up information on "Turtle Island, thanks for the information because I never knew this story, I love learning new things?

[@kingson4244]

Beautiful Family ✊🏾

[@CaapriceTube1]

Nice doc

[@zochbuppet448]

Most people dont know because its not really taught as part of Canadian history. As a Federation each province have their own Jurisdiction. The underground railroad is known in Ontario but the larger black history in Nova Scotia was not talked about in Nova Scotia. The blacks in Nova Scotia were on of many Black groups that were Loyalists meaning that they were Loyal to the Crown (UK), during the American independence war. They were sent to Nova Scotia and were given the worst rocky land to farm and live on. They weren't able to farm the land properly so they petitioned and many left for other places. The ones that left most went to Liberia. I think a small amount went to English Caribbean, the rest were some of these people. She probably only had a certain amount of time (broadcast structure) but but she never even mention AFRICVILLE, or even a brief history. this isn't really that well main made if you going to mention even a few basic lines of history.

[@DannyJsPlace]

Do you mean Sierra Leone? Rather than Liberia?

[@laylacarter9004]

@@DannyJsPlace I guess he means Sierra Leone

[@matthewwilson3202]

Africville is very interesting. There was a town that hid its ancestry in Canada, i watched a doc about it but can't recall its name

[@berry4life]

Does anyone know where you can find the music at the beginning?

[@lionelwilliams7768]

Impressive and inspiring narrative.

[@alknobhill]

This is beautiful 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾😭😭😭

[@daleleeroy]

Awesome documentary. Incredible accomplishments of a great family who contributed hugely to the culture of NS despite the cloud of racism that was always hanging around. Would love to see a documentary on the Arrows Club and would also love to help with researching it.

[@laylacarter9004]

@ Dale thank you ❤❤

[@madeinkonada]

What an incredible family. I grew up in Nova Scotia and I sensed this invisible wall between us and Black communities very early on. The fear and discomfort coming from white people around me was sometimes overt and sometimes very subtle. But I learned that the Black surnames and the Black neighborhoods as what to avoid, not as something to celebrate. It is a great failure of our society, our education system and our government that this has gone on so long. We need to acknowledge it, deal with the shame and disgust we feel towards ourselves and then get to work fixing this. It's a complex issue and will take work but I believe we might finally be reaching the critical mass necessary to truly do something about it.

[@matthewwilson3202]

Fascinating. Thanks

[@dairyqueen8402]

What’s the song from the beginning?

[@manaalimtiyaz1823]

Awesome video I’d like to know what is your legacy

[@deliri0um]

I mean living in one of the most diverse countries in the world its no surprise to be asked where youre from. My mom even asks white ppl that lol she goes as far as their great grandparents. I actually love when people ask idk

[@lungamadoda6992]

😂😂😂✌🏿

[@robertdowney1503]

It depends on the context. That is , who is asking the question, under what circumstance, and what is their motivation. The point of the documentary is that every Black Canadian is not a recent immigrant. Some of us have been here for many generations - even pre- dating Confederation - and more often than not, generations before the stranger asking the question “ So, where are you from?”

[@Niia090]

What an amazing family🙌🏾💯

[@golansmith4868]

"But this is a New Era of time now"

[@j2174]

Famous Black Scotian is Dwayne The Rock Johnson's father

[@robertdowney1503]

Yes! Wayde Bowles aka professional wrestler, Rocky Johnson from Amherst, Nova Scotia.

[@redgurl1023]

Was just sent this May possibly be My Mothers Family

[@buttersnapswright126]

I would love to visit Canada 🍁

[@lucasmaclean6498]

We have enuff color ppl already thanks

[@goldenb.afri-n.scotian5513]

@@lucasmaclean6498 Well guess what the number is only gonna get larger!!!!! How do you think the natives feel about ya'll white ppl who stole this land. They are the originally inhabitants, last time I checked this isn't Europe.

[@carolevans823]

@@goldenb.afri-n.scotian5513 Well said!!

[@carolevans823]

@@lucasmaclean6498 How sad. We are all one people: the human race. You need to educate yourself. (You could start with spelling... just sayin'.)

[@YouTubeBlueButterflies]

We are family. I would love love love to come to see y'all.

[@queen_of_domination]

Be proud of your roots.

[@kingdomofgarvin3432]

More power to you all in Canada

[@alecbriones3784]

Fun fact the dad of the rock is a black canadian lol who’s from novia scotia

[@wewanteazywewanteazy-eo7ug]

Cool fact, he’s actually a distant relative of the Collins - Downey family!

[@robertdowney1503]

@@wewanteazywewanteazy-eo7ugThat’s not exactly true. There is an indirect connection. Actor Cory Bowles who plays Corey on the TV show “Trailer Park Boys” is the 1/2 brother (same mother) of one of The Rock’s 1/2 siblings by the same father, Rocky Johnson. The Collins family are not related to The Rock or his father Rocky Johnson to the best of my knowledge.

[@MrTreezNW]

Original black loyalists ♥️✊🏾, influencial people.

[@cosmiclady5618]

Who is the guy in the thumb nail?

[@ronaldodavis1698]

Surprisingly, this happens to me as an American whenever I leave the United States mostly in Europe

[@Afrometa]

Awesome

[@grah55]

That far back up until today, racism, sadly, still exists in Canada. Source: personal experience on the receiving end.

[@lucasmaclean6498]

Same here. Growing up I always stood out and the color of my skin was made fun of daily. Teachers never did much to stop it. Just ignore it. I'm 36 so ti think even 15 years ago I would be chased home by groups of " minortys" because of the color of my skin. It's a shame to be treated like that just because I'm white .

[@goldenb.afri-n.scotian5513]

@@lucasmaclean6498 STFU

[@seventhkeyomegasghost8233]

@@lucasmaclean6498 we all must pay for the sins of our fathers.

[@emmanuelcollins7981]

❤️❤️❤️

[@elias5900]

❤❤❤❤

[@hailie_Selassie]

This part of Canadian history is not taught in schools. I have discovered this black community of Nova Scotia through youtube.

[@KREN12623]

🕊️♥️🕊️🌍🕊️♥️🕊️🌎🕊️♥️🕊️🌏🕊️♥️🕊️

[@peacelovehappiness3502]

this poor gentleman has cte from boxing. 14:32 you could hear his sluggish speech. repeated impact to the head can cause this condition

[@deedeedesir]

Something about her reminds me of India Arie

[@HindiOliver]

"This is very interesting, this is a old video too! "A lot of people know black people or brown people is in "Canada but I think a lot of people didn't know or know as many brown people were in Nova Scotia probably because it is so cold there?"

[@serrece]

The Downenys are cousins to my family the Pleasant everyday I meet a new relative I live in Halifax now and randomly meet one huge families as a result of slavery

[@fightfannerd2078]

cbc is owned by the corporation of Canada

[@TimSeburn]

Good work Cazhhmere, but more needs to be done. Why don't Cdns know the name Hubert Holmes, a man who gave his life to ensure Cda would remain safe for escaping slaves like Solomon Moseby? We should all ask ourselves why.

[@raphaeloyebanji6173]

As a Nigerian I noticed that African Canadians don't speak ebonics unlike their American counterparts and it makes it easier to understand them in my own opinion, hey I'm just saying!

[@ngalahansel6066]

How far na oga? Regards from Southern Cameroons

[@samira8886]

Ebonics is derived from the English language from indentured British and Irish servants and various West African languages. My maternal grandparents from South Carolina were GEECHY/ GULLAH and they speech was very similar to Caribbean dialects. I have lived in Georgia and the EBONICS here is totally different than South Carolina. So there is a history with the linguistics of people.

[@Ami-ut2us]

As an American I noticed South Africans dont speak broken English like Nigerians and it makes them easier to understand, just saying 🙄 (Ofc I don't actually believe this because its ignorant though I do find SA accents clearer)

[@jkgkuj]

Very ignorant comment. African American Vernacular English is actually its own dialect derived from English. It has its own grammar style and semantics. Much like how creole is derived from French, and Patois in Jamaica. To you it just seems like slang but it’s really a whole other language in itself so much so that a lot of the world uses it now without knowing it since it is more mainstream.

[@j2174]

"Everything that happened in the United States happened in good ol' Nova Scotia" - No, no it did not. Not even close. This isn't to say that Black Scotians were always fairly treated by any means, but the two histories are just not comparable. And wider Canada even less comparable to that of the US history.

[@robertdowney1503]

I beg to differ. The first race riots in North America was in Birchtown /Shelburne not the USA, Viola Desmond arrest in New Glasgow predates Rosa Parks in the USA, Jim Crow existed in Nova Scotia - read the book by Len Paris; and on and on. Nova Scotia was once referred to Mississippi of the North. Don’t talk about things you apparently know nothing about.