John Ware (1845 -1905)
We are delighted to commemorate John Ware with a statue. This page showcases the creation process, featuring the talented artist Frantz Brent Harris.
John Ware's story is one of triumph over adversity. It begins in the cotton fields of Georgetown, South Carolina, where he was born into slavery in 1845. Emancipation beckoned him toward freedom, and he seized the opportunity, leaving behind the oppressive shadow of bondage. Venturing westward, Ware found himself in Texas, where he honed his skills as a steer herder, earning acclaim as one of the most skilled cowboys in the region despite the pervasive racism of the era.
It was in the wild expanses of Alberta, Canada, that Ware's legend truly took root.
Known for his tenacity and selflessness, John led a monumental cattle drive, steering a herd of 3,000 cattle from the United States to Calgary, Alberta. With this bravery, steadfastness, and along with other actions, he became a symbol of courage, resilience, and determination. Ware's ingenuity and tenacity propelled him forward, leaving a permanent impact on the landscape and inspiring generations to come.
In Alberta, Ware became respected by ranchers for his horsemanship and agricultural skills despite the overwhelming control wealthy white Albertans held over ranching. He was widely admired as one of the best cowboys in the West, even at a time of widespread anti-black racism and discrimination.
In honor of Black History Month, Canada Post released a stamp on February 2, 2012, that highlighted the achievements and life experiences of John Ware. The stamp, Stamp SC #2520, features a photograph of Ware preserved by the Glenbow Museum and Archives in Calgary, Alberta.
The design of the stamp depicts the life of Ware through a mosaic of historical themes. Design features include a collage of historic elements that illustrate Ware’s life as a cowboy. A rich portrait of Ware is surrounded by symbols of his life in the West, including a photo of his ranch, a lasso, and a horse.
The Honourable Peter MacKay, former Minister of National Defence and Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, shared that the John Ware commemorative stamp is a “wonderful tribute to these heroes who have shaped and continue to define how we live as Canadians.” Jim Phillips, former Director of Stamps Services at Canada Post, informed the public at a press conference that "John Ware was the ultimate cowboy, a folk hero who helped to create a viable and solid ranching industry in Alberta. With undeniable skill and a keen sense of adventure, he was the perfect pioneer for the future of steer-wrestling.”
In June 2022, Ware was recognized as a person of national historic significance to Canada by the Canadian government. This accompanied the unveiling of a plaque in his honor at Bar U Ranch National Historic Site, south of Calgary. About the commentary by a government representative, CBC reported the following: “Ware embodied the resilience and strength of Black Canadians." The recognition was issued by the federal government's Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. According to the CBC, this board “recognizes significant people, places, and events that have shaped the country as a way to help Canadians connect with their past.”
Eventually, many Albertan landmarks were named to commemorate his success and character, including Mount Ware, Ware Creek, John Ware Junior High, and the John Ware Building. In February 2021, in honor of John Ware, the Consulate General of Canada in Texas and Fort Worth Herd installed a mounted bronze plaque in front of the Fort Worth Herd Viewing Pen. The plaque is located adjacent to the Livestock Exchange Building in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Ware was described by the community that knew him when he lived, as ‘good-natured’, ‘obliging’, ‘shrewd’, ‘generous’, ‘kind-hearted’, ‘loyal’, and ‘stoic’. In his eulogy, it was said: "To know John Ware was <to know> a man with beautiful skin. Every human's skin is as beautiful as the man who wears it. To know John Ware was to know a gentleman—one of God’s gentlemen."
Friends knew him as generous, kind-hearted, and loyal to friends and neighbors, but also as a tough, strong, and silent type.
When he passed, at 60 years old, his funeral was the largest Calgary had ever seen, transcending colour barriers of the time.
Artist Bio
Frantz Brent-Harris, an artist whose work resonates both nationally and internationally, Frantz will bring the powerful story of John Ware to life. His piece, Afrophilia: Beloved, a heartfelt tribute to Black people and ancestors, showcased at the Toronto Sculpture Garden, exemplifies his deep connection to Black heritage. Brent-Harris's art, featured in venues such as BAND Gallery, THEMUSEUM, in Ontario, MakeRoomInc in Toronto, and Cart in Jamaica. His artistic contributions have been recognized in Toronto Life, through Ontario Arts Council grants, and as an artist in residence in Harare, Zimbabwe.
REFERENCES:
Agriculture for Life. (Feb 9, 2023 ). Black History Month: John Ware’s Legacy.
Borowiecki, Anna. (Feb 8, 2024). The documentary film shines a spotlight on Black cowboy John
Ware. St. Albert Gazette.
Breon, Robin and Vera Cudjoe. (1994). The Story of John Ware. Illustrated by Mary
McLoughlin. Toronto: Carib-Can Communications.
Canada Post. (February 1, 2012). John Ware and Viola Desmond.
Clough, Ayesha. (June 1, 2020). Howdy, I'm John Ware. Illustrator by Hugh Rookwood.
University of Toronto Press.
Dempsey, Hugh A. (1995). The Golden Age of the Canadian Cowboy: An Illustrated
History. Saskatoon: Fifth House.
Dempster, Allison; and Simone-Bowen, Leah. (June 8, 2022). Legendary Black cowboy and
rancher John Ware is recognized as a person of national historic significance. CBC News.
The Canadian Press. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/john-ware-national-historic-significance-1.6479102
Foggo, Cheryl. (October, 2020). John Ware Reclaimed. National Film Board of Canada.
https://www.nfb.ca/film/john-ware-reclaimed/ OR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsuUCtRGKAQ&t=1s&ab_channel=NFB
Historica Canada. (2019). John Ware: Black History Secondary -Junior.
http://education.historicacanada.ca/en/tools/155
MacEwan, Grant. (, 1960). John Ware's Cow Country. Edmonton: Institute of Applied Art.
Parks Canada. (2022). John Ware National Historic Person (ca. 1850–1905). The Historic
Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm49pdGELGI&t=95s&ab_channel=ParksCanada
Strong and Free. (November 2, 2021). John Ware: The Legend of Canada’s “First” Black Cowboy.
(written and produced by Garvia Bailey). Historica Canada and Media Girlfriends. https://strongandfree.transistor.fm/
The Canadian Encyclopedia. (January 27, 2013). John Ware.
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/john-ware
Verma, Ishita. (Feb 27, 2022). Photographer brings to life legendary Black Alberta cowboy
John Ware: 'A true immigrant story, a real example of success'. CBC News.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/black-cowboy-alberta-john-ware-1.6365392
