From Details philatelic catalogue, mid-January:
Issue date January 22, 2021
Willow Grove, NB, and Amber Valley, AB
Settlers faced immense challenges forging a new life in the rugged Canadian wilderness. But few were as harsh as those endured by many early Black settlers who fled the United States in the early 19th and early 20th centuries to escape the cruelty of enslavement and racial discrimination.
These stamps – the 13th issue in our Black History Month series – tell the stories of two Black communities nearly one hundred years and thousands of kilometres apart. Both rose from hardship to survive and grow for a time and served as stepping stones for the success of future generations of Black Canadians.
In 1817, a group of Black refugees from the War of 1812 – most of them formerly enslaved – founded the tiny settlement of Willow Grove, New Brunswick. They received licences to live on land that turned out to be of poor farming quality, and when they tried to support themselves temporarily in nearby Saint John, they were met with racist restrictions.
Nearly a century later, Amber Valley, Alberta, was established by 30 Black families who had journeyed from the American South to flee the escalating violence and segregation laws. They faced many of the same challenges as Willow Grove: bone-chilling winters, inhospitable land and the racial discrimination they had hoped to leave behind. Through perseverance and hard work, both communities overcame many obstacles. They actively challenged racial discrimination and built schools, churches and other community organizations. Amber Valley became a vibrant community whose baseball team was famous throughout the province, while the opening of Willow Grove Baptist Church in 1878 anchored the growing community of Willow Grove.
Although their populations eventually declined as subsequent generations pursued education and employment elsewhere, there is no doubt that these Black settlers and their descendants have enriched Canada’s economic and social fabric.
Designed by Lara Minja of Lime Design Inc. and illustrated by Rick Jacobson, this issue features depictions based on archival photos of community members, maps of the two locations and images of the seafaring ship and covered wagons that carried the settlers to their new homes. 
Post-issuance press release, added January 27th:
[press release]
Early communities honoured in 13th Black History Month series
Stamps tell of the struggle and strength of two Black Canadian settlements
SAINT JOHN, NB and ATHABASCA, AB – The challenges faced by two waves of Black immigrants from the United States in the early 19th and early 20th centuries come to light in a pair of stamps issued this month by Canada Post. These stamps – the 13th issue in our Black History Month series – celebrate the hope and perseverance of the Black pioneers who founded Willow Grove, New Brunswick, and Amber Valley, Alberta.
About the Communities
Willow Grove was founded in 1817 by Black refugees. Most had been enslaved African Americans who were offered their freedom and land in exchange for supporting the British in the War of 1812. They were issued licences to live on land that turned out to be of poor farming quality and received little assistance. When they tried to support themselves temporarily in nearby Saint John, they were met with racist restrictions. But the residents fought for their rights and formed a thriving community.
The Black settlers who founded Amber Valley around 1910 had journeyed from the American south to escape escalating violenceand segregation laws. Seeking a better life for their families, they carved a living from the dense bush and muskeg but continued to endure ongoing racial discrimination, including government measures that prevented other people of African descent from settling in Canada. The residents, however, were determined to succeed, and the community they built flourished.
Although separated by nearly a hundred years, the two communities experienced similar hardships and triumphs, and both served as stepping stones for the success of future generations of Black Canadians.
About the Stamps
Designed by Lara Minja of Lime Design Inc. and illustrated by Rick Jacobson, these stamps feature illustrations based on archivalphotos of community members, maps showing the location of each settlement, and images of the different means of transportation that carried the pioneers to their new life in Canada.
Printed by Lowe-Martin, this issue includes a booklet of 10 Permanent™ stamps featuring both designs and two Official First Day Covers – one for each stamp.
Stamps and collectibles are available at canadapost.ca/shop.
[en Francais]
Hommage aux premières communautés dans le 13e volet de la série consacrée au Mois de l’histoire des Noirs
Les timbres illustrent le courage de deux groupes d’immigrants noirs au Canada
SAINT JOHN, NB et ATHABASCA, AB, le 27 janv. 2021 /CNW/ – Les difficultés auxquelles ont fait face deux groupes d’immigrants noirs en provenance des États-Unis au début du 19e et du 20e siècle sont illustrées sur une paire de timbres émis ce mois-ci par Postes Canada. Le 13e volet de la série sur le Mois de l’histoire des Noirs rend hommage à l’espoir et à la persévérance des pionniers noirs qui ont fondé Willow Grove, au Nouveau-Brunswick, et Amber Valley, en Alberta.
À propos des communautés
Willow Grove est fondée en 1817 par des réfugiés noirs. La plupart d’entre eux sont d’anciens esclaves afro-américains à qui on offre la liberté et des terres pour avoir combattu les Britanniques pendant la guerre de 1812. Ils reçoivent des permis pour vivre, avec peu de soutien, sur des terres qui s’avèrent peu cultivables. Lorsqu’ils tentent de subvenir temporairement à leurs besoins à Saint John, qui se trouve à proximité, ils se heurtent à des restrictions racistes. Mais les résidants défendent leurs droits et forment une communauté florissante.
Les pionniers noirs qui ont fondé Amber Valley vers 1910 atteignent le Nord après avoir échappé aux lois racistes et à la violence du sud des États-Unis. Remplis d’espoir pour leur famille, ils parviennent à gagner leur vie au cœur d’une végétation dense et marécageuse, mais continuent à subir une discrimination raciale, notamment les mesures gouvernementales qui empêchent d’autres personnes d’origine africaine de s’établir au Canada. Grâce à la persévérance et au travail acharné de ses résidants, Amber Valley devient toutefois une communauté florissante.
Malgré le siècle qui les sépare, les deux communautés surmontent des obstacles et remportent des victoires similaires, et contribuent toutes les deux au succès des Canadiens noirs des générations futures.
À propos des timbres
Conçus par Lara Minja, de Lime Design inc., et illustrés par Rick Jacobson, ces timbres s’appuient sur des photos d’archive des membres des deux communautés, sur des cartes de leurs emplacements respectifs et sur des images des différents moyens de transport utilisés par les pionniers pour voyager vers leur nouvelle vie au Canada.
Imprimée par Lowe-Martin, cette série comprend un carnet de 10 timbres PermanentsMC de chaque motif et deux plis Premier Jour officiels, un pour chaque vignette.
Les timbres et les articles de collection sont disponibles en ligne à postescanada.ca/achat.
N’hésitez pas à utiliser les images, les entrevues et les renseignements qui se trouvent dans nos courtes vidéos pour les médias sociaux (Willow Grove, Amber Valley), la publication En détail et le Magazine de Postes Canada.
