National Unity Association
In 1948, a group of Black Canadians from Dresden, Chatham, and North Buxton met and established the National Unity Association (NUA). Percy Carter was elected as President, Fred Robinson as Vice President, and Hugh Burnett as Secretary. The constitution for the organization identifies four main purposes:
- “To promote the welfare of all people regardless of colour, creed, national origin or religion.
- To promote interest in better group relations.
- To foster the spirit of equality.
- To instill a sense of pride and dignity in black people.”
The original constitution and by-laws of the National Unity Association at its founding in 1948. Details
Hugh Burnett
Hugh Burnett was born near Dresden in 1918 to Robert and Myrtle Burnett. Both of his parents were descendants of Freedom Seekers who arrived in the Dawn Settlement during the mid-1800s.
Segregation was so insidious in Dresden that in 1943, there was not a single restaurant in Dresden that would serve Black people. At the age of 25, Burnett was denied service at a restaurant while wearing his military uniform and wrote to the federal justice minister to describe his experience. The deputy minister replied to advise Burnett that racial discrimination was not illegal in Canada.
When the NUA was founded in 1948, Burnett served as the organization’s first secretary.
Arthur Alexander
Born in Amherstburg in 1886, Arthur Alexander was third child of John H. Alexander and Annie Crawford. Alexander began a long teaching career in 1907. Over the years, he taught at many schools, including S.S. #13 Raleigh in North Buxton. In 1914, he married Ethel Shreve with whom he had four children: Gloria, Philip, John Arthur, and Ron.
In 1914, many Black Canadians were eager to serve their country in World War I, but due to racial bias, were refused entrance into the military. Alexander wrote to Sir Sam Hughes, Minister of Militia and Defence on November 6, 1914:
"The colored people of Canada want to know why they are not allowed to enlist in the Canadian militia. I am informed that several who have applied for enlistment in the Canadian Expeditionary Forces have been refused for no other apparent reason than their color, as they were physically and mentally fit."
Alexander was a founding member of the NUA.
In 1949, the NUA approached the Dresden Town Council with a proposal to prohibit discrimination in local businesses. Only one councillor supported the proposal, while others cited lack of authority or inappropriate intervention.
On December 5, 1949, a referendum was held so that the people could decide the matter. The results were 83% in opposition and 17% in favour of the NUA’s proposal, which reflected the racial composition of the town at the time. The results of the referendum garnered attention in the national press; a Maclean’s headline read, “Jim Crow Lives in Dresden.”
