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Historian to link local black history to current events by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff 5 | Friday, February 12, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Maple Grove United Church will host Michael Brown from the Oakville Historical Society and Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate Feb. 29, to speak about Oakville's connection with the Underground Railroad. He'll speak about Oakville's role as a gateway to Canada for African-Americans, who were escaping slavery during the 1830s. The event takes place at 7 p.m. at the 346 Maple Grove Dr. church. Maple Grove United Church Rev. Brenna Nickel said Brown will outline how community members offered hospitality to those escaping slavery. He will also give a biographical sketch of Oakville's early black citizens. Following the presentation, there will be discussion on how Oakville citizens are helping those fleeing persecution today -- especially refugees from Syria and the Middle East. "We want to have some time to think about how we do that justice work today and how we welcome people fleeing persecution today and see if there are any points of comparison," she said. The free event is part of the church's Inquiring Minds series and open to the general public. In the past, the church has had open discussions about climate change and other topics of interest. learn about the Canadian part of things, that they were so moved. "They risked their lives, reputation and careers to create a safe space for people to come and live and that it was a real early example of people of different races working together," Nickel said. She noted while people often hear of racial strife, it is worthwhile to highlight the concept of people risking their lives for others, and hopes it will spark conversation and debate about current global events. "I'm wondering again about the places where we can make connections and to see how the past can relate to the present because I think so often, we just look at things like that as an interesting story from the past and don't always connect it to current injustices in the world," she said. "We're hoping it sparks some interest and some pride in our community but also challenges us in a way to see if there are other places where we can cross racial or cultural lines today to work for peace and justice." For more information about the event, visit maplegroveunitedchurch.org. Michael Brown Nickel, who moved to Oakville last July, said she was fascinated to learn about the town's ties to black history. "I'm from the States originally, so obviously I grew up learning about the history of slavery and segregation and all of the issues that followed. You can draw a line to all the current conflict in the U.S. between people of different races and how we're talking about the Black Lives Matter movement and that sort of thing," she said. "So, it was interesting to me moving here, to New Patients Are ALWAYS Welcome Lunch, Learn & Enjoy For our clients, their guests, and prospective clients · Evening & Weekend Appointments ts A Available · Female Dentist Available · Same Day Appointments · Same Day Emergency · Walk-in Service · Family & Cosmetic Dentistry · Insurance Billed Directly · Digital X-Rays · Sedation for Children & Adults Call today to book your appointment End-of-Life Advance Planning A gift for those you love Joanne Bunton Community Outreach Coordinator, Ward Funeral Homes Presented by Tuesday, March 1, 2016 12pm - 1pm Holiday Inn, 590 Argus Road, Oakville (Southwest of Trafalgar Road and the QEW) Dr. Manchanda RSVP (905) 842-2100 Ext. 2 info@peterwatsoninvestments.com RSVP no later than Monday, February 22 627 Lyons Lane, Suite 100 Oakville, ON www.doctor4teeth.com 905-339-1666