Historical Figures Come to Life at Maple Ridge Public School

Posted On Tuesday February 25, 2020
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Rochelle Cunningham as Mary Ann Shadd shared the importance of inspiring others to make a difference in the theatre show Use Your Voice on February 18th.

Students enjoyed a lively and interactive performance in recognition of Black History Month

On February 18th students in Grades 4-8 at Maple Ridge Public School in Pickering were treated to an energetic and engaging live theatre show.

The show, entitled Use Your Voice, is a Black History Month production by a group called I Am Compelled. I Am Compelled is an organization dedicated to bringing the stories of Canadians throughout history to life through diverse and interactive school assemblies. 

Meeting Historical Canadian Heroes

Use Your Voice focuses on three friends (Parker, Nathan, and Katie) tasked with doing a group project on prominent figures from Canadian Black history. Unfortunately, Parker expresses that she is less than enthusiastic about the project and says she doesn’t feel the assignment is ‘necessary’ because she’s not Black (although Katie and Nathan are Black).

After Katie and Nathan share their disagreement and hurt, they leave Parker alone in the library. A short time later, Parker is transported back in time to the year 1853 where she meets Mary Ann Shadd.

Shadd was a well-known American-Canadian abolitionist, journalist, and publisher. She is known today as the first Black female publisher in North America, and the first female publisher in Canada. She tells Parker about her inspiration for publicly writing about the abolishment of slavery and advocating for other people. She teaches Parker the importance of inspiring others to make a difference in the world.

Next, Parker meets the multilingual explorer Mathieu da Costa. He spoke multiple languages including French, Dutch, and Portuguese, and was the first Black person to arrive on the land we know today as Canada. da Costa tells Parker, “anyone with a voice can be a hero.”

At the end of her adventure, Parker realizes the importance of people from all backgrounds and races knowing and understanding Canadian Black history. She reunites with her classmates, gives them a heartfelt apology, and excitedly shares everything she learned from her historical adventure.

Every Contribution Matters

Students at Maple Ridge PS laughed, sang, and rapped along with the characters from beginning to end.

After the show, a few lucky students had the opportunity to join the actors at the front of the gym to play a trivia game based on the historical facts they learned from the show.

Rochelle Cunningham, who played Katie and Mary Ann Shadd, says there are multiple lessons built into the show, “Use Your Voice demonstrates how inspiration can be found in any race.” Cunningham adds, “It’s also important to shed light on how to properly address ignorance, without reacting negatively. Education is a powerful tool.”

Maple Ridge PS Principal Jonathan Ross says he hopes his students continue to create positive changes in their school community, greater community, and around the world, “Their contributions matter.”

For more information about I Am Compelled, please visit: https://www.iamcompelled.ca/