Between 1908 and 1911, more than 1,000 black Americans left Oklahoma and surrounding states to settle in northern Alberta and Saskatchewan, seeking freedom from racial segregation and economic opportunity. They chose isolated areas in Saskatchewan and Alberta to build their own communities. In Alberta, they established the largest community in Amber Valley (north of Edmonton), with smaller ones located in Breton (Keystone), Campsie, Lobstick Lake, and Junkins (Wildwood).

But despite the settlers’ desire to avoid conflict, their arrival provoked a racist backlash that was promoted by factions of the press and business community. Numerous petitions were sent from small towns and cities across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, lobbying for the immigration of African Americans to be halted. In response, the federal government prepared an order-in-council to ban black immigration, but put it aside while it employed other measures to effectively halt the flow. Those measures significantly reduced the numbers of black people coming to Canada until the loosening of immigration restrictions in the 1960s.

Despite the hostility they faced, these small groups of resilient black settlers became successful farmers and formed independent communities. In general, the settlements endured through the 1930s, then began a steady decline as younger generations migrated to western Canadian cities. While discriminated against in workplaces and sometimes denied access to public services and institutions, black westerners survived this prejudice to build strong communities and leave a lasting legacy on Western Canada.

A documentary released earlier this year detailed the history of these pioneers. The documentary, called “Secret Alberta – The Former Life of Amber Valley,” can be found on YouTube.

The post Legacy of Alberta’s black pioneers honoured appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

“After reviewing over 1,000 name suggestions submitted by members of the public, we’re delighted to welcome Poca and Terra to the team at the Bar U Ranch,” said Travis Weber, manager of the national historic site.

Jim Barbaro suggested the names to honour the pioneering contributions of George Pocaterra, an Italian immigrant who fell in love with the foothills and mountains of southern Alberta.

“I’ve always been interested in George Pocaterra and his part in our history,” said Barbaro, a 71-year-old retired Calgary firefighter who lives in Sundre. “My family was of Italian descent and knew the Pocaterras when they lived in Calgary. My father was a pallbearer at his funeral. I thought Poca and Terra would be good names for the Bar U horses.”

Pocaterra arrived in Canada in 1903 with $3.75 in his pocket, and worked as a ranch hand, trapper, hunter, explorer, coal prospector and operatic stage manager. In 1905, he established the Buffalo Head Ranch in the Highwood Valley north of the Bar U Ranch, which became one of the first ‘dude’ ranches in Canada.

Through his friendship with the Stoney Nakoda First Nation, Pocaterra became one of the first Europeans to extensively explore the Kananaskis area. Several features in the region are named after him including Pocaterra Creek, Pocaterra Ridge, and Mount Pocaterra.

The five- and eight-year-old black male purebred Percherons were acquired last year from a local breeder in order to demonstrate the historic importance of these gentle giants to the ranch.

“These beautiful, yet powerful horses were crucial to the success of early farming and ranching efforts in the area and are linked to the Bar U and the importance of western culture in our history,” said Weber.

Poca and Terra will shuttle guests by wagon into the historic centre of the Bar U Ranch when it swings its doors open for the 2016 visitor season on May 16.

Barbaro received a two-year pass to national parks, marine conservation areas, and historic sites across Canada for his winning suggestion.

The post Bar U Ranch Percherons named after pioneer appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

Before the horses begin to welcome visitors, we need to name them.

Animals this magnificent deserve equally impressive names, and Parks Canada is inviting the public to submit name suggestions for Bar U’s newest gentle giants.

Anyone can enter, and the person who submits the best-suited names will receive a Parks Canada Family Discovery Pass, good for an entire year of entry to 27 participating national parks and 77 national historic sites across the country.

Submissions will be accepted until Feb. 29. Send your suggestion by email to baru.info@pc.gc.ca, by regular mail at Bar U Ranch National Historic Site, Post Office Box 168, Longview, Alta., T0L 1H0, or tweet to @BarURanchNHS.

You can also submit names to the national historic site’s volunteer group, Friends of the Bar U Historic Ranch Association, on its Facebook page, Friends of the Bar U.

• Read more: 4-H forum for equine project leaders

Here are some naming tips. Both horses are male. Short and simple names make it easier to relay driving instructions. Historic or western-inspired names help tell the story and tradition of ranching. The Bar U Ranch is the only Parks Canada administered national historic site commemorating the important role that ranching played in developing Canada and the continuing role it plays as a symbol of our country.

Established in 1882, the Bar U Ranch relied on teams of Percheron horses throughout its history. They hauled feed to cattle during the winter, harvested hay, cultivated fields and helped harvest crops.

In the early part of the 20th century, the second Bar U Ranch owner, George Lane, brought together some of the finest Percheron horses from France and the United States to build the largest and arguably the most famous Percheron herd in the world. At one time, it numbered over 1,000 horses.

“Imagine the sight and sound of Percherons, 1,000 strong, thundering across the fescue pastures at the Bar-U,” said Warren Webber, director of the Friends of the Bar U Historic Ranch Association. “There was nothing else like it in the world. Having Percheron horses on the Bar U today ensures, first and foremost, the conservation and historical connection of this herd.”

After the First World War, young horses from the Bar U contributed much to the development of the Percheron breed in Britain, the U.S., and Japan.

The post Public invited to name Bar U’s new residents appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.