June 22nd, 2026

This year, Grade 10 students at Laurel Heights Secondary School explored how history is constructed through a metahistory project focused on uncovering “hidden histories” in 20th-century Canada. After analyzing textbooks and engaging with historians, students examined how colonialism and racism have shaped history, and the voices and stories that have been excluded from historical narratives.

On May 21, students presented their learning with a museum-style exhibit for Grade 7 students from Laurelwood Public School and Laurel Heights Grade 9 classes. The interactive displays and exhibits encouraged students to think critically about history, consider the diverse perspectives of those who experienced it, and reflect on how the past continues to shape the present.

Read reflections from students who participated in the project below.

By Sophie, a Laurel Heights Secondary Student

If I hadn’t worked on this project, I would have never learned about Hogan’s Alley in Vancouver, British Columbia, and the significant discrimination faced by Black Canadians, or any of the other communities impacted.

Hogan’s Alley was once a vibrant Black community filled with families, businesses and culture. Much of it was destroyed during urban renewal projects and the construction of an interurban freeway. Over time, the physical neighbourhood disappeared, and its story was largely left out of many history lessons. 

The Hidden Histories project taught me many important lessons and helped open my perspective on whose version of history is taught in classrooms, and why it matters. It sparked curiosity and interest in a topic I didn’t know much about.

It was surprising to learn that anti-Black racism influenced housing, city planning and government decisions in Canada. This project helped me understand the lasting effects discrimination has. When Hogan’s Alley was destroyed, people lost homes, businesses and community spaces, for a project that was largely never even completed.

Overall, this project changed my perception of how I think about Canadian history and made me want to ask more questions. Even though it might be uncomfortable, these stories should be honoured. I’m grateful that this project introduced me to Hogan’s Alley, and I hope in the future I get the opportunity to learn more stories in Canadian history.

By Bethel, a Laurel Heights Secondary Student

Curating the Hidden Histories exhibit transformed the way I understand history. What began as research evolved into an eye-opening exploration of suppressed stories, forgotten voices, and overlooked perspectives. The process of building the exhibit challenged me to think beyond textbooks and timelines and instead engage with history in a deeply personal, reflective, and insightful way. 

Hidden Histories revealed how much of the past has been overlooked. 

A personal highlight in this journey was learning about the life and legacy of Leonard Braithwaite, the first Black Member of Provincial Parliament in Ontario. Hidden Histories exposed me to stories which I would never have heard otherwise, and being able to share these stories with fellow students was a privilege.

Hidden Histories was more than a project or assignment: it brought to light the missing stories in our history textbooks and encouraged students to explore the unseen or unheard voices which have also shaped our history.

#StudentVoice Series

This article is written by a WRDSB student. Student journalists embody WRDSB’s commitment to creating space for students to tell their stories. They are ambassadors for their peers as they share their personal experiences and stories about their schools and communities in their unique voices.