A Conversation with Leander K. Lane

February 26, 2026

On February 26. 2026, the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission hosted A Conversation with Leander K. Lane, a virtual Black History Month event featuring historian and author Leander K. Lane.

Lane is a leading expert on the Shiloh People and president of the Shiloh Baptist Church and Cemetery Restoration Society.

Through a curated conversation, Lane explored the migration of Black families from the post‑slavery American South to Oklahoma and their subsequent move to the Saskatchewan prairies in the early 20th century. He discussed the political forces that displaced Black communities in Oklahoma, the discriminatory attitudes of Canadian immigration authorities toward Black migrants, and the challenges newcomers faced as they adapted to Saskatchewan’s harsh climate, unfamiliar agricultural conditions, and entrenched racism.

Lane highlighted key historical figures, the resilience of the Shiloh Community near Maidstone, and the significance of the Shiloh Baptist Church – now a designated Provincial Heritage Property – in maintaining cultural identity and community cohesion. He also emphasized the importance of preserving the church and cemetery as a way to honour Saskatchewan’s multicultural history.

Lane’s insights underscored the importance of protecting and sharing the stories of Black pioneers whose courage and perseverance helped shape the province.