
Issue: 2017-02-22, PHOTO: Ira Mamis
Allison Furniss, Lillian Nakamura Maguire, Jillian Christmas, Charlotte Hrenchuk, Julie DesBrisay, Paul Gowdie, Georgianna Low
The Hidden Histories Society Yukon invited Jillian Christmas, a Black Canadian spoken word poet to Whitehorse at the beginning of February. The Society commissioned her to write a poem in celebration of the diverse Black community in Yukon.
Christmas performed this poem and others to enthusiastic audiences of about 150 people at the Yukon College, F.H. Collins Secondary School and at Antoinette’s Restaurant. Musicians Michael Oliphant and Becky and Brent Law contributed to the evening at Antoinette’s.
The society released two Black History posters of Yukon pioneer Lucile Hunter and of Nova Scotian Viola Desmond. These were designed by Caitlin Beaulieu and are available as a PDF copy by contacting us at info@HHSY.org.
You can also see our Black History exhibits at the Whitehorse Public Library, Yukon College Library, F.H. Collins Library and Antoinette’s Restaurant. More information on Black History Month is available at the Canadian Heritage website.
The following is Jillian Christmas’ poem, called “Northern Light.”
We dedicate this poem to Black Yukoners who have contributed and continue to contribute to the economic, social and cultural development of our communities.
Northern Light
by: Jillian Christmas
Stepping off the plane in Whitehorse
The last thing I expect to see
is home
Imagining I might roam this great black north
not quite alone but close enough.
Chris points out the window
“That's Antoinette's, Caribbean food
if you're feeling in need of a pick-me-up
She's from Tobago.”
And I'm not sure if he knows that it's
the island that bred these bones,
That just the song of its name on his lips
is home.
And what strange things are we
Creatures of the Diaspora
treasures of the Caribbean sea
Knocking our knees together in parkas
chattering teeth
Up where the trees thin and creak
stretching high the heavens to
seek the queerest light
What strange escapes have we made in the night
to want to call this place home?
And I do.
I do
Feel the ghosts
Of women not unlike us
Examples of resilience and fortitude
Pulling more than gold and dust and opportunity
Out of this blistering cold.
I am told the Alaska Highway
Was an engineering feat
Built under the doubt and bloody weight of Jim Crow
And what strange things are we
That we can see a barrier
but build a road;
I know this to be true:
There is not always a way around,