Contrary to popular belief, the presence of Blacks in Quebec and Canada dates back to the 17th century. The first Black to have his name inscribed in the Quebec history records is the navigator Mathieu Da Costa who was accompanying Samuel de Champlain during his first trip to the New World. The lecture by Mme Johnson will inform the public of a neglected part of our common history. Veronica Johnson is an educator at the Lester B. Pearson schoolboard, teaching english and history.She is the conceptor of the Black History course program for Adult Education. CONFÉRENCES GRATUITES 12-18-19-20 Septembre 2002 Les Rencontres de Marie-Josèphe Angélique Centre d'histoire de Montréal 335 Place d'Youville, Vieux-Montréal Métro Square-Victoria information 878-1088 et www.guygiard.fr.fm 4 conférences sur la thématique de l'esclavage hier et aujourd'hui. Une heure d'information suivit d'une heure de dialogue avec le(s) conférencier(s). Conférences à 19h30pm, ouverture du centre à 19h pm