It is one of the highest honors in the country and two well-known local residents are receiving it for their work to preserve Black history.
The Order of Canada
Few people in Chatham-Kent do not know or have never heard of Shannon and Bryan Prince. Shannon has served as curator of the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum for the past 25 years, and Bryan is an author and researcher on slavery, abolition, and the Underground Railroad.
In December both were appointed to the Order of Canada. The order was founded in 1967, the year of Canada's centennial.honors people who make extraordinary contributions to the nation.” A special advisory board chaired by the Chief Justice of Canada reviews the nominations.
One of many awards
In a current one Chatham Daily News In an interview, Shannon said they were both shocked when they heard the news.
“We have received an email from the Office of the Secretariat to the Governor General. My first thought was that someone we know was nominated and they gave us a reference. She wanted to schedule a phone call and then she told us.” Shannon said to the Chatham Daily News.
Both Shannon and Bryan have received many awards thanks to their years of hard work. In addition to contributing to research on the Underground Railroad, Shannon received an honorary doctorate from the University of Windsor. Shannon and Bryan were also named Citizens of the Year, received the Ontario Black History Society's Harriet Tubman Award and the YMCA Peace Medallion.
Preserving Black History
Shannon grew up in the house across from the museum and was surrounded by her own family history throughout her life. She is a sixth generation descendant of North Buxton.
“I think that's one of the beautiful things about the community because there are so many amazing and unknown stories that people can share and have a connection to their history,” she said The last time we met her.
Having served as the museum's curator for 25 years, preserving history is a given, and she encourages us all to make our own version of it.
“Ask your parents and grandparents about their experiences growing up and living and working in the area. We have cell phones now so it’s easy to record what they say so you can keep their memories and stories alive,” she said.
The next chapter
Her investment in the Order of Canada follows Shannon's withdrawal from the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum.
After 25 years, she is handing over the position to her niece Michelle Robbins. Watch this CBC video to learn more about Shannon's legacy at the museum: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/buxton-museum-curator-retirement-1.7064108.
Learn more about Black history in Chatham-Kent and Buxton National Historic Site and Museum here: https://patterncanada.ca/preserving-black-history-with-shannon-prince/, https://patternenergy.com/gaining-perspective-on-black-history/.