Calgary Filmmaker Shines Light on Black History Within the Foothills

As Black History Month marches on a Calgary filmmaker's documentary is putting a spotlight on the Foothills. 

'John Ware Reclaimed' is writer-director Cheryl Foggo's retelling of the life of John Ware; the famous Black cowboy that pioneered the lands of Southern Alberta that we know and love today. 

The film that featured scenes shot in Millarville, home to John Ware's first ranch, premiered and sold out at festivals in 2020, giving many an inside look to the cowboy's legacy and its impact on racism then and even, now.

With huge success in its first year, the Canadian documentary returns to screens this month becoming available to stream across the country in celebration of Black History.

Foggo says Ware's story was important for her to share because as a young black woman growing up in Calgary, in an era shaped by the Stampede and western culture, it was difficult to fit in...until she learned about the historic icon.

"I felt unwelcome in that world and I did not see people of African descent reflected there. So discovering the existence of John Ware was a really important moment in my life and it was interesting to me as a researcher to see the ways in which experiences that he had were mirrored in experiences that me and my siblings had growing up in Calgary many, many years later and experiences that people are still having."

The YYC based filmmaker says, "In order to understand our present and our future when it comes to addressing race...we need to know our past."

But Black History Month and the stories shared to educate and celebrate aren't just for a single race, Foggo says that everyone should be indulging in these archives.

"This history belongs to all of us. All of our black history belongs to all of us, and every Canadian benefits from knowing who we really are and who we have been in the past. And when I say we, I mean all of us."

With the opportunity for all Canadians to watch the film this month there are a few things Foggo hopes people come away with.

"I want people to see the incredible beauty of southern Alberta and understand why John Ware took one look at the place and said I'm never leaving. And then following up on that to make the connections between John Ware's history and other black history in southern Alberta... just for people to understand that our roots here as people of African descent are deep and are continuous."

Cheryl Foggo's 30 years of work, dedicated to the lives of Western Canadians of African descent, is also being commended this month as she has been honoured with the Calgary Black Achievement Award in Arts and Entertainment, presented by the Calgary Black Chambers.   

She says, "I was absolutely thrilled. There is something so warming, something so uplifting about being recognized by people in your own community. And the awards ceremony was just incredible because I learned about contributions that other people of African descent are making in the city that I didn't know about...I was truly honoured." 

To watch 'John Ware Reclaimed' this February click HERE.

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