A “mythical” figure in Foothills history is in the spotlight for Black History Month.
For the month of February, the National Film Board is highlighting a playlist called “Focus on Black Filmmakers.”
The list includes 29 films by Black directors, one of which is “John Ware Reclaimed,” written and directed by Calgary filmmaker Cheryl Foggo.
The 2020 film follows Foggo as she explores the mythology surrounding Ware, a Black cowboy who came to the Foothills from the United States in the 1880s.
Ware was named a person of national historic significance in 2022, and Foggo attended a ceremony at the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site to mark the occasion.
Foggo said at the time that tales of Ware's strength and ranching ability spread and entered the realm of the mythical.
“What emerges out of the folklore, however, is that he was the most skilled horseman around, a pillar of the ranching community, an innovator and a sly wit,” Foggo said.
The film is available at nfb.ca/film/john-ware-reclaimed.
