North Star to Freedom

Vignettes about the Underground Railroad and the Night Sky

We'll be live on youtube for this one.

abstract

What is the connection between the 100,000 people that travelled the underground railroad and the night sky? Can you imagine the logistics of using stars to guide you over such a far distance, while in immediate peril? Do you want to know how a meteor shower helped connect families of enslaved people that had been separated? From a young age Amy has thought it fascinating how the night sky could be used to navigate a people from unspeakable hardship to freedom. As Black History month comes to a close, join Amy Archer on February 25 to hear stories about how the night sky played a hand in helping people navigate from unspeakable hardship to freedom. The night sky is full of new discoveries waiting to be had, and there are so many stories to share of its rich history, join us as we explore vignettes about the Underground Railroad and the Night Sky.

bio

Amy is a first generation Canadian with roots from Trinidad and Tobago, she was born in Edmonton, Alberta and has spent most of her life on the West Coast. Amy is the mother to one very inquisitive teenager, whom she is always learning from. She has a love for her community and is always looking for opportunities to make the world a little better for her daughter and future generations. Amy works in Finance by day, makes bath products by night, and spends her free time travelling and exploring with her daughter. Amy is the Vice-Chair of the Friends of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory (FDAO) and has been involved with the organization for the last 6 years. Amy is constantly fascinated by the knowledge of the astronomers and can be found at most Saturday Night Star Parties either behind the scenes or looking through her favourite telescope. Amy also sits as an executive of the transitional board of the Black Anglicans of Canada.