Sarnia

The 519 Podcast presents 'Printing for Freedom'

There is a rich Black history in Canada, particularly in southwestern Ontario, where thousands of escaped slaves ended up after crossing the border in pursuit of freedom. We have a treasure trove of incredibly inspiring local black history, and in this episode of the 519 Podcast we dig a little deeper into the story of Henry and Mary Bibb.

Henry and Mary Bibb settled in Old Sandwich Towne in Windsor, Ontario in August of 1850. Five months later they opened ‘The Voice of the Fugitive’, the first ever black owned newspaper in Canada. It was a massive step forward for the anti-slavery movement, as well as a significant milestone in Black Canadian History.

As difficult a task as it would have been to start ‘The voice of the Fugitive’, the road leading to that moment was much more difficult

Henry Bibb was born a slave, seeing nothing but the horrors of human ownership through his entire adolescence. And while Mary was born a free woman, being a black woman in America during that era was no cake walk either. They had a lot to overcome to get to where they were. In this episode of the 519 Podcast, we tell their story.

This is 'Printing for Freedom’.

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New military crosswalk rendering. (Image courtesy of the Sarnia Legion Branch 62)

New military crosswalk in Sarnia to be unveiled

As part of a partnership between the Sarnia Legion Branch 62 and City of Sarnia, an unveiling ceremony will be held at the corner of Christina Street and Wellington Street on Sunday, June 7, at 2 p.m.

Members of the Sarnia Police Service entering a Tashmoo Avenue residence on June 4, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Sarnia Police Service)

Two men arrested in Tashmoo Ave. standoff

Sarnia police said the investigation began on May 29 after the victim was allegedly attacked by acquaintances at a residence near Tashmoo Avenue and Christopher Drive at Aamjiwnaang First Nation.