Born in Haiti, FRANTZ VOLTAIRE is an esteemed historian, academic, filmmaker, and advocate for Afro-Caribbean and Black Canadian heritage, embodying the role of “passeur,” or transmitter of heritage. Experiencing oppression under Jean-Claude Duvalier, he relocated to Montreal in the 1970s, continuing his extensive academic pursuits and earning master’s degrees in political science and international relations. Montreal became the foundation for his efforts to preserve Afro-Caribbean culture, leading the CIDIHCA, an institution likened to a “little Smithsonian Institute for Haitians in Canada.” Voltaire, awarded the Order of Montreal and a medal from Quebec’s National Assembly, merges Afro-Canadian history with Canada’s broader narrative. His impactful filmography and significant literary works, including Black Power in Haiti, extend his reach. Co-founding the Montreal Human Rights Film Festival and contributing to diverse advisory boards illustrate his commitment to community and rights advocacy. Author Sarah Martinez chronicled Voltaire’s monumental contributions in Un étranger de l’intérieur, recognizing his continuous fight “for the dignity of people.”
