Victoria Pioneer Rifle Corps

The Victoria Pioneer Rifle Corps (VPRC), also called the African Rifles, was an all-black militia unit formed in 1860 within the British Colony of British Columbia, now known as British Columbia. The VPRC was formed from volunteering immigrants from California. They were one of British Columbia's first military defense units. The militia unit was dissolved in 1866 due to many black immigrants returning to the United States following the end of the American Civil War and slavery, along with increasing hostility from white militias at the time. The VPRC reflects the desire of Black people to be considered equal, which the VPRC demonstrated by being loyal to the British colony. The Victoria Pioneer Rifle Corps are acknowledged today as an important part of Black history in Canada.