Champlain Coming Back, Sort Of
UPDATED with Mayor’s comments.
By John Swartz
Parks Canada announced its decision regarding the Champlain Monument today. Key recommendations include:
1. That the Samuel de Champlain Monument be re-installed with only the central figure of Samuel de Champlain atop the plinth and that this installation occur immediately.
2. That the First Nations figures along with the figures of the Fur Trader and Missionary be the subject of further consultation with First Nations. It is the hope of the Samuel de Champlain Monument Working Group that future work, with the aim of re-imagining their presence in the immediate vicinity of the original Monument, will result in a meaningful and concrete example of Reconciliation.
3. That the text of the original Monument’s “in-set plaque” be updated so that it will honour the original intent within the context of contemporary knowledge and wisdom.
4. That additional interpretive signage/pieces be developed and created with the participation of First Nations representatives to tell a historically accurate story of Samuel de Champlain and his relationship with First Nations.
In a statement from the City of Orillia the decision relies on recommendations of the working group and the, “Final Report and Recommendations represents a consensus of the seven working group members: Parks Canada, the City of Orillia, the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, the Huron-Wendat Nation, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, and two citizens-at-large from the City of Orillia.
A separate press release from Parks Canada said, “It is in this spirit that Parks Canada will implement the Recommendations of the Samuel de Champlain Monument Working Group in full. The re-installation of the central figure of Samuel de Champlain will begin immediately.”
The final report collected information about public views regarding the monument and showed 70% favoured returning it as is was and only 57% said the accompanying plaque wording should be changed. The final report of the Champlain Monument working group can be read here.
UPDATE: Mayor Steve Clarke had this to say about the announcement:
“I think it’s one of those situations where nobody was going to get everything they want, and maybe everybody got something they want, which means there might be a little bit of upsettedness to all sides, but also a bit of relief and happiness to all sides,” Clarke said.
“Having Champlain back will make many happy and I also believe now that Parks Canada has made this decision that the re-imagining of the other pieces in the immediate vicinity of the monument hopefully will bring closure to the issue and hopefully is amenable to most. It won’t be amenable to everybody, I don’t want to kid myself.”
Clarke said the working group’s work is done. The next step is additional art to compliment the statue.
(Photos By Swartz – SUNonline/Orillia)
