On Emancipation Day, August 1st, Tubman Tours Canada founder Rochelle Bush will return to her family’s roots in Cayuga and Canfield to speak about the often-overlooked legacy of freedom seekers in Haldimand County.
Emancipation Day marks when the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 came into effect across the British Empire.
Bush, a respected historian and storyteller based in St. Catharines, says her presentation will highlight Haldimand’s vital role as a terminal on the Underground Railroad. She also plans to speak about her own family’s connection to Canfield and more.
She added that Canfield was more than just a small settlement, it was a launching point for many families.
Her talk will highlight figures like Hiram Wilson, a white Congregationalist minister and abolitionist who worked closely with Black settlers in Cayuga. Bush explains that Wilson was a very important part of the emancipation process in Canada.
She’ll also trace connections to Harriet Tubman-her two nieces had ties to Canfield, with one buried there today.
Through Tubman Tours Canada, Bush works to make Black history engaging and accessible. She believes local interest in Black history is growing, especially as schools and communities push for more inclusive education.
Bush acknowledges this is not an easy subject to discuss and many walk away feeling guilt.
She stressed that her goal is to promote understanding, saying, “We share this history,” and that Haldimand was an important part of it.
Her Emancipation Day talk will take place on August 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Canfield Community Hall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the program begins at 6 p.m.
Bush will combine storytelling, rare photos, and historical context to highlight Haldimand’s powerful past. She encourages attendees to come with questions—and curiosity.
(Written by: Jeremy Hall)