July 15th 2024.
The city of Montreal is taking a moment to honor the tragic event that occurred at the Little Burgundy Negro Community Centre. A memorial was held to pay tribute to the 12 Black children who lost their lives in a boating accident back in 1954.
On July 13, a gathering of mourners took place at the very spot where the drowning took place. It's hard to believe that 70 years have passed since that fateful day when a group of children went on a simple day trip that would have a lasting impact on their community.
What was supposed to be a fun boat ride turned into a nightmare as the vessel capsized, leaving many children, who didn't know how to swim, in danger. Despite the valiant efforts of some survivors, 12 young lives were lost. Now, their descendants are paying tribute to their loved ones and speaking out about the lasting effects of this tragedy on their community.
Allison Saunders, one of the event's organizers and a relative of the victims, spoke to CTV News about the impact of the incident. She recalled, "It was a heavy and dark secret for a long time. People were forbidden from talking about it and our families were afraid to let us go swimming or be too far from them, but we never truly knew why."
Today, the names of all the victims are engraved on a memorial plaque, a constant reminder of the preventable tragedy that occurred. Saunders believes that having this memorial in place provides a space for people to remember and learn about the events that took place. She said, "It's important to have this marker so that people can come and pay their respects and also learn about this story."
While this tragedy led to stricter boating regulations, the advocates of the Little Burgundy Negro Community Centre are still fighting for mandatory swim classes in Canadian schools. The systemic racism that once barred Black people from using public pools in the country was confirmed by the University of Toronto. Despite changes in laws, the effects of this discrimination continue to be felt. However, the members of the center are determined to break down these barriers in honor of the victims.
This memorial is more than just a remembrance of those who lost their lives. It serves as a call to action for all children in Canada to learn the life-saving skill of swimming. It's a way to honor the victims and ensure that their tragedy was not in vain. May their names and legacy live on and inspire change for generations to come.
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