True North

The struggle for equal rights in Canada is an under-explored chapter in the history of the Black liberation movement. True North looks at key events in late-1960s Montreal, when Canada became a refuge for Haitians and other immigrants from the Caribbean. We see how the Black minority experienced discrimination and exclusion in this period—from the Canadian public, media, institutions, and government authorities.

In 1969, frustration with these injustices boiled over, leading hundreds of students to occupy part of Sir George Williams University after the board refused to address allegations of racism. Among the activists was Roosevelt Douglas, the later Prime Minister of Dominica. The occupation ended in a violent eviction and arrests.

In personal interviews, the still-committed activists reflect on the period. With dynamic editing and a gripping score, the largely unseen footage vividly brings the historical moment to life.