John Ware's horsemanship, generosity, and strength secured his place in the mythology of the Canadian West
June 6, 2022 Longview, Alberta Parks Canada Agency
National historic designations encourage us to acknowledge both the triumphs and the struggles that have led us to the Canada of today, and help us reflect on how to build a more inclusive society for today and future generations. John Ware was a Black cowboy who built a successful ranching career despite racism, rough frontier conditions, and having been enslaved.
Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced the designation of John Ware as a person of national historic significance under Parks Canada's National Program of Historical Commemoration. The designation was commemorated with a special ceremony unveiling a plaque at Bar U Ranch National Historic Site.
In 1882, John Ware entered the District of Alberta on a trail crew driving thousands of cattle to the site of what became known as the Bar U Ranch. Here, he wrangled the herds of large ranching outfits before building his own ranch with his wife Mildred and their children. He achieved success in a white-dominated industry largely controlled by well-financed corporations. Ware's generosity and superior skill as a cowboy earned him an enduring reputation and a prominent place in the mythology of the Canadian West.
Canada honours the resilience, innovation, and determination of Black people and recognizes the major contributions they have made, and continue to make, in all sectors of society.
The Government of Canada, through the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, recognizes significant persons, places, and events that have shaped our country as one way of helping Canadians connect with their past. By sharing these stories with Canadians, we hope to foster understanding and reflection on the diverse histories, cultures, legacies, and realities of Canada's past and present.
