Photographer brings to life legendary Black Alberta cowboy John Ware

In spite of the discrimination and racism he faced, Ware grew to become a people legend in the province.

And he lately motivated an Edmonton photographer with his tale. 

When planning a challenge for Black History Thirty day period, photographer Dickson Obasuyi came throughout Ware’s story and was quickly captivated.

“His means to start out from scratch and get someplace, you know, is what just about every immigrant aims at,” Obasuyi told CBC Edmonton’s Radio Lively. “He picked up a occupation in a bar, like just about every immigrant.”

Now that he had his muse, Obasuyi conducted a comprehensive, month-extensive study. 

From the beginning, Obasuyi understood he desired to recreate the cowboy’s story with models who closely resembled the cowboy and his household, in purchase to portray them as precisely as achievable. 

“Photos assisted me decide anyone with his [Ware] facial characteristics, to participate in him in my images,” he reported.

Obasuyi needed to portray Ware’s tale as precisely as probable, which meant he experienced to locate costumes equivalent to what would have been worn in the late 1800s.

For the picture shoot, Obasuyi sourced a whole lot of his costumes from Benefit Village, Kijiji, and the Anything at all and Anything Vintage boutique in St Albert.

He shot the photos in a locale appropriate for going to the previous.

“The good news is when I shared the concept with the Fort Edmonton Park administration, they quickly informed me the concept was a fantastic one particular,” Obasuyi said.

To present assistance for the undertaking, the park administration allowed Obasuyi to use the venue with no demand.

The project kicked off with Obasuyi splitting his time among Fort Edmonton Park and Nevertheless Meadows Ranch, east of the metropolis.

“I was a bit concerned about the Alberta climate which can be unpredictable,” he reported. “Simply because if it obtained much too cold, having to get outside pics would not be pleasurable. Fortunately for us the weather conditions that working day was in our favour.” 

John Ware the immigrant

Ware left a extensive and long lasting legacy in his adopted residence. Fellow cowboys remembered him extended just after his dying.

Legend goes he could train the wildest broncos, and brand an 18-month-aged steer by throwing it onto its back.

But to immigrants, Ware’s story is one of perseverance, challenging work and motivation. 

“John and Mildred’s story is a accurate story of tricky do the job, hope, aim, persistence, willpower and humility, which — with a little bit of luck — led to success,” mentioned Obasuyi.

“A correct immigrant tale, a authentic example of good results that any individual can accomplish with a favourable attitude.”

Ware established himself and his 9999 (4-nines) or walking-stick cattle brand effectively in Western Canada. 

His name is echoed throughout the province nevertheless, specially in southern Alberta where he ranched. In 2012, Canada Put up issued a stamp in Ware’s honour for Black Heritage Month.

Obasuyi at first picked up his digital camera to get started a pastime during the pandemic. Quite shortly right after that, he started Doba Photography and fell in appreciate with narrative storytelling through photography. 

His project, “A John Ware Tale,” is his 2nd visual series as a photographer.

For much more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success tales in the Black community — test out Staying Black in Canada, a CBC job Black Canadians can be very pleased of. You can read through a lot more stories in this article.