Calumet kicks off resident outreach with historian talk

April 10, 2018

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The Equity

The Calumet Island town council brought in a historian for a talk on the community’s roots and history on April 7, at the municipal hall. Roger Blanchette detailed how the French-speaking population thrived as a pocket within surrounding Anglophone groups.

Following the lecture, everyone was invited for a community meal downstairs. While the group enjoyed the lamb dinner, Councillor James Azola entertained with a bit of music.

Donald Teuma-Castelletti
CALUMET ISLAND
April 7, 2018
Residents of Calumet Island had the opportunity to learn about their home’s history on Saturday, when a guest speaker gave a lecture at the municipal hall.
In what will be the beginning of a series brought to the island by their council, Quebec historian, author and professor Roger Blanchette joined residents for a talk on how their home came to be.
Blanchette spoke about how the area developed, as a pocket of the French-speaking population lived amongst the surrounding Anglophone communities, and shared facts that surprised some guests. The discussion was held entirely in French and offered folks the chance to ask questions at the end of the talk.

Some members of the crowd said that his presentation was excellent, because his thorough research, knowledge and interest in the area made for a great lecture.
Previously, Blanchette has taught at the Sherbrooke CEGEP, as well as lectured on ethics and history at various universities. In 2009, he published a book on the Outaouais, detailing its history.
Blanchette was asked to come speak to the community by Councillor James Azola, in what is planned to be a series of introducing speakers and experts on the island to the community.
“Because we are a new council, we’re looking to be different,” said Azola. “Our history is very rich, so it’s important.”
While there are currently no plans in place for the next lecture, Mayor Serge Newberry said that history will be a big focus of the talks, but that there is a second motive, too. He is hoping to develop a collection of these talks in an archived format, for reference by the entire community.
The afternoon’s events were filmed as a start in this series, with the proposal for the series to become a monthly activity in the future. Other topics of interest beyond local history will be explored as well.
Following the talk, everyone was invited for a meal downstairs, where lamb was served alongside plantains and some African dishes. Azola played music for the gathered guests, as they ate their meals.
“We’re creating a synergy amongst the population,” said Azola, of the importance of hosting these events.

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