Detroit native retracing Underground Railroad by walking Bruce Trail
Zwena Gray is discovering Southern Ontario, one step at a time.
“Driving it is totally different than walking it. My feet definitely feel that,” said Gray.
The Detroit native isn’t just out for some exercise, she’s attempting to partially retrace the steps of those who used the Underground Railroad to escape American slavery and find freedom in Canada.
“I’m on a trail for 900 kilometres. People didn’t even have a trail when they were doing the Underground Railroad. To be fair, it wasn’t really, anything like this experience,” said Gray.
Zwena Gray, retracing part of the Underground Railroad, by walking 900 kilometers of the Bruce Trail. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)
The penultimate stop in Gray’s journey is in Owen Sound, considered the northern most terminus of the Underground Railroad, where many escaped slaves settled in the region. At one point, 10 per cent of the area’s population was African-American.
“Which means people have been coming here via that route since the 1830s, 1840s, and in greater numbers as we approached the 50s and 60s, when the Civil War was on,” said Blaine Courtney, whose great-grandfather came to Owen Sound via the Underground Railroad, and now chair’s Owen Sound’s Emancipation Festival.
During her stop at Grey Roots Museum’s Underground Railroad display Thursday, Gray says she learned much more about the harrowing journey and its ultimate finish in Grey County.
Blaine Courtney, of the Owen Sound Emancipation Festival talks with Zwena Gray, who is retracing part of Underground Railroad by walking 900 kilometers of the Bruce Trail, at the Grey Roots Museum near Owen Sound on May 26, 2022. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)
“It’s really powerful to be in this space and see so much of the history,” she said.
Gray has one week left in her six week journey on the Bruce Trail. While the famed trail doesn’t directly follow the Underground Railroad, its symbolic distance and treachery mirrors the perils her ancestors endured to reach freedom nearly 150 years ago.
“It’s just a privilege to be out here,” said Gray.
You can follow Gray’s self titled 'Black on the Bruce' journey on her Instagram page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Police in Paris detain a man wearing fake explosives vest at Iran's Consulate
A man wearing a fake explosive vest and making threats was detained Friday outside the Iranian Consulate in Paris after police locked down the area, authorities said. His motive was unclear.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.