1. California Blacks in British Columbia http://bcheritage.ca/cariboo/

2. After the discovery of gold in 1848, nearly 100,000 people migrated to California seeking fortune and fame 2000 black settlers were part of the Gold rush The British were worried that the Americans would take over the territory. Part of the plan to counter this was to include Californian blacks, who the British figured would be loyal to them Governor James Douglas invited blacks from California to come to Vancouver Island. Offered them cheap land and they didn’t have to pay land taxes for two years.

3. Around 300 blacks came from San Francisco to Saltspring Island,Vancouver and the mainland of British Columbia. First large movement of African Americans to West Coast was in 1858, 600 people came from California.The Steamship Commodore brought black immigrants from San Francisco, California, to B.C Many became Canadian citizens. History Continued The Black Canadians : their history and contributions

4. Blacks in British Columbian Society Blacks in B.C were homesteaders, miners, storekeepers, businesspeople, policemen, they also opened stores and restaurants. In Victoria and around B.C, racial incidents occurred mostly because of American immigrants British Columbia law did not discriminate against blacks The Black Canadians : their history and contributions

5. Victoria Pioneer Rifle Company Formed in 1861, disbanded in 1865 Also known as the African Rifles. After the all white fire department refused to let blacks in their ranks, some blacks volunteered to form a militia unit in the service of James Douglass They were sponsored by Mifflin Gibbs They were composed of roughly 50 black men The Royal Navy supplied drill sergeants and the volunteers built the drill house, which became the social centre of the black community The VPRC was the only defense force Victoria has for awhile. With the lack of support from Gov. Douglas in 1864 the company was mostly inactive

6. VPRC Continued In 1864 when Governor James Douglass retired the corps were not allowed to attend his farewell banquet, they also weren’t allowed to attended new Governor, Arthur Kennedy's ceremonies. The lack of enthusiasm from the Governors led to the end of the corps in the spring of 1865. http ://www.blackpast.org/?q=aaw/victoria-pioneer -rifle-corps-1861-1865