[BCMA] Research on the history of sanctuary in Canada

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

Good morning,

I apologies for any cross-postings but I am seeking your help with new research I am undertaking on the history of sanctuary. in Canada

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Laura Madokoro and I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of History and Classical Studies at McGill University.

I am currently undertaking new research on the history of sanctuary in Canada from the 1800s to the present. I am looking at both religious and secular acts of sanctuary, meaning the tradition of protection offered by Judeo-Christian churches and other religious institutions as well as protection offered by ethnic and local communities in the face of state efforts to arrest, prosecute or deport individuals for various reasons. I am particularly interested in instances when communities, religious or otherwise, offered sanctuary in direct contravention of the wishes of the state (e.g. to wanted fugitives, refugees etc).

To date, my research team has uncovered dozens of sanctuary by exploring digitized historical newspapers from across the country available on line. However, I believe the bulk of the relevant material related to sanctuary rests in the local communities where sanctuary offers once took place.

It is for this reason that I am now writing to you for help in identifying histories of sanctuary at the local level. I suspect that many stories of sanctuary are not captured in archival repositories but rather are housed in the memories of people who live and work in the communities where sanctuary once took place. I would therefore appreciate any assistance in terms of tracking down local histories / local lore.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I would be happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have. I can be reached at laura.madokoro at mcgill.ca.

Sincerely, and with many thanks,

Laura Madokoro

Assistant Professor
Department of History and Classical Studies
McGill University
http://www.mcgill.ca/history/laura-madokoro

McGill University is on land that has long served as a site of meeting and exchange among Indigenous peoples, including the Haudenosaunee and Anishinabeg nations. We acknowledge the diverse Indigenous people whose footsteps have marked this territory on which peoples of the world now gather.

L’Université McGill est sur un emplacement qui a longtemps servi de lieu de rencontre et d’échange entre les peoples autochtones, y compris les nations Haudenosaunee et Anishinabeg. Nous reconnaissons les divers peoples autochtones dont les pas ont marqué ce territoire sur lequel les peoples du monde entire se réunissent maintenant.
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