‘From Mango to Maple’ Preserves Caribbean Voices

Windsor Project Documents Caribbean Canadian Journeys

A new initiative at the University of Windsor is expanding how Black history in southwestern Ontario is documented, with a focus on voices that have often been absent from official records.

The project, titled From Mango to Maple, is led by archivist Antoinette “Anto” Seymour and is based in Leddy Library’s Archives and Special Collections. It builds on the university’s longstanding efforts to preserve regional Black history, including materials tied to the Underground Railroad, while addressing a notable gap in Caribbean representation.

The Bahamas-born Seymour said the project was shaped by both professional insight and personal experience. A graduate of the university, she recalled returning to campus decades after her student years and referencing the Caribbean Students Association.

“Nobody had a clue what it was all about,” Seymour said. “That really hit me, especially being in the area of archives and preserving history and memory.”

Seymour chose the name From Mango to Maple to reflect both geography and migration. The project will collect oral histories, photographs, and personal records from Windsor Essex’s Caribbean community, documenting journeys that span generations.

“It’s about illumination of the silent or underrepresented group in formal memory spaces and then preserving the history, the heritage, identity, culture, legacy and memory,” Seymour said.

While Leddy Library already holds significant collections on Black history, Caribbean diaspora experiences have remained largely underrepresented. Dr. Sarah Glassford, an archivist at the library, said that imbalance is not unique to Windsor.

“Some communities are well represented in local archives, but records from more recent immigrant groups have not yet found their way into many collections,” she said.

Glassford added that projects like this one help strengthen the archival record. “They allow us to fill out some holes in our collection,” she said, noting the importance of creating resources for future research and education.

Community relationships are central to the initiative. Seymour’s connections with groups such as the Windsor Essex Caribbean Association are expected to foster trust and participation. Organizers say this approach ensures that stories are shared with care and authenticity.

The project also reflects a broader commitment to inclusive scholarship and community engagement at the university. Materials gathered will become part of permanent archival collections, ensuring Caribbean histories are preserved as an enduring part of the region’s story.

The project launches Feb. 27 at Leddy Library, with an event featuring conversations with Caribbean elders and an open invitation for community members to contribute to a growing historical record.

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  Winsor