“Freedom Achievers” series continues with multicultural storyteller

his neighbourhood wasn’t as privileged so he tried to help his own area. He realized he wanted to assist others and that included giving some limelight to street musicians to getting into social work.

After leaving social work, he wanted to work in neighbourhoods and assist people. That included offering art programs and offering services to residents who need them.

Travis believes people of all ages can have a “wealth of knowledge” in them and events like the “Freedom Achievers” program offer people a chance to network and find opportunities.

A mentoring component was part of Saturday’s event at the museum.

By Ron Giofu

The Amherstburg Freedom Museum continued its “Freedom Achievers” program last weekend by welcoming a multicultural community storyteller.

Teajai Travis – a poet, spoken word and soundscape artist who also works as the multicultural community storyteller for the City of Windsor –was welcomed to the museum last Saturday to tell his story. More important to Travis was the stories of his ancestors, whom he believed were the real “freedom achievers.”

Travis outlined some of his ancestors who were once enslaved and later acquired their own lands and built communities and others who escaped to Canada during the Underground Railroad.

“For me in the 21st Century, I wouldn’t consider myself to be a freedom achiever,” Travis told the group assembled in the Nazrey AME Church. “I have to respect the work, the commitment, the sacrifice and the dedication that my ancestors and elders have gone through so I would be in this space and could be here today and share their stories.”

The stories of his ancestors and elders are in his heart, he added.

“Their legacy is I have to hold them up because they are the freedom achievers,” said Travis. “I will never know the struggles they knew to get me here.”

Ancestors and elders are “libraries” of knowledge, Travis explained, and they carry the legacy of freedom.

Travis outlined his own life story, from growing up in Windsor in a neighbourhood he enjoyed. When he transferred high schools to get Ontario Academic Credits (OAC), he realized