Fire destroys Sutherland Hotel, raises concerns for Winnipeg's historic Craig Block

A fire has destroyed the Sutherland Hotel in Winnipeg, revealing the nearby Craig Block, a building significant to the city's Black history. Built in 1894, it housed the Order of Sleeping Car Porters, believed to be North America's first Black union. Local historian Christian Cassidy highlights the Craig Block's role in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike and its importance as a social hub for the Black community. The building lacks historical protection and faces an uncertain future after the fire. Efforts to recognize the Craig Block's historical significance have been unsuccessful. Activists stress the need for better education about Black history in Canada and the preservation of sites like the Craig Block, which tell important stories of the community.