Michel Chartier de Lotbinière, King's Engineer

Guest speaker: Jean-Pierre Raymond

When: Thursday, March 21, 2013, from 19:30 to 21:00

Where: Centennial Hall,

             288 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield, H9W 4A4

Lecture in English followed by a bilingual question period

Jean-Pierre Raymond, Engineer and history enthusiast, resident of Dorval, will impersonate the first Canadian born engineer in his 1758 King Engineer’s outfit. He will describe the career and political thought of Michel Chartier de Lotbinière who participated in the War of Austrian Succession, the 7-year War, the American Independence War and the French Revolution. In 1763, he owned 7 seigneuries, 5 in the new Province of Québec including the seigneuries of Lotbinière, of Vaudreuil and of Rigaud and two in New York State. He was involved in London, England, in the debate concerning the Quebec Act convincing the House of Commons to adopt the French Laws (Coutume de Paris), the French language and the Catholic religion, which gave the Province de Québec its difference in status.

The Montreal Region Forts from Nouvelle-France Era

Guest speaker: René Chartrand

When: Thursday, February 21, 2013, from 19:30 to 21:00

Where: Centennial Hall,

             288 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield, H9W 4A4

PowerPoint Lecture in English followed by a bilingual question period

René Chartrand was born in Montreal and educated in Canada, the United States and the Bahamas. A senior curator with Parks Canada's National Historic Sites Branch for nearly three decades, he is now a free-lance writer and historical consultant. He has authored some 40 books and hundreds of articles published in England, France, the United States and Canada. He lives in Gatineau (Quebec).

Nouvelle-France, un « rêve d'empire » français

( Nouvelle-France, A French « Empire Dream »)

Guest speaker: Gilles Laberge

When: Thursday, January 17, 2013, from 19:30 to 21:00

Where: Centennial Hall,

             288 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield, H9W 4A7

PowerPoint Lecture in French followed by a bilingual question period

In March 2009, Gilles Laberge spoke to us about the St. Lawrence Iroquoians. This time, he will make a very well illustrated introduction to our new theme for 2013, Nouvelle-France :

A French « Empire Dream » in the 17th and 18th centuries in the young America

As much as this young colony would gradually reach colossal growth on this new continent, the drawbacks were its small population and its weak economy. In this large stretch of wilderness, covered with seemingly endless forest, the three main economic leaders were the fur trade as a very well exploited natural resource, and later in the 18th century, the military constructions’ network and the agricultural surplus. To bring back plenty of fur, harmonious relations were developed with the different First Nations tribes while colonial goal was relegated to second place.

This lecture will take you through the crucial era of the pioneers and the setting up of the current Canadian socio-economic thread. This presentation will supply a brief overview, with plenty of pictures, of the different aspects of the socio-economic life in the colonial era: geography, population, politic, economic, military, religious, on top of the physical world aspects: architecture, food and clothing. In short, a good introduction to the subject.

At a loss for words:

language endangerment and literacy  development

in First Nations communities

Guest speaker: Lori Morris 

MP3Audio

 When: Thursday, November 15, 2012, from 19:30 to 21:00

 Where: Centennial Hall,

              288 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield, H9W 4A7

Lecture in English followed by a bilingual question period

Aboriginal Human Rights: Contemporary Perspectives

Guest speaker: Ellen Gabriel, of Kanehsatà:ke

When: Thursday, September 20, 2012, from 19:30 to 21:00

Where: Centennial Hall,

              288 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield, H9W 4A7

Lecture in English followed by a bilingual question period

President of Quebec Native Women’s Association

Onkwehón:we Rights Activist, Artist, Indigenous Peoples Rights Activist

• Golden Eagle Award from the Native Women’s Association of Canada,2005
• International Women’s Day Award from the Barreau du Québec/Québec Bar Association
• Jigonsaseh Women of Peace Award, 2008

Mediation - the Historical Treaty Making Process and Its Revival

Especially during the Oka Crisis

Guest speaker: Maître Martha Montour

When: Thursday, May 17, 2012, from 19:30 to 21:00

Where: Centennial Hall,

              288 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield, H9W 4A7

Lecture in English followed by a bilingual question period

Lecture followed by Elizabeth Montour who will present her Conservation Work
 

André Quesnel, A Deerfield Descendant

Guest speaker: André Quesnel

When: Thursday, April 19, 2012, from 19:30 to 21:00

Where: Centennial Hall,

              288 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield, H9W 4A7

Lecture in English followed by a bilingual question period

Everyone welcome. Admission free.

Mr. André Quesnel is a descendant of prisoners who were brought back to the Montréal region after the Deerfield Massacre in 1704. He will describe us the journey of these prisoners, from their capture up to their establishment in the Oka region, after multiple displacements.

The Great Peace of 1701

Guest speakers: Roy Wright, resident of Kahnawake 

When: Thursday, March 15, 2012, from 19:30 to 21:00

Where: Centennial Hall,

              288, boul. Beaconsfield, Beaconsfield, H9W 4A7

Lecture in English followed by a bilingual question period

Everyone welcome. Admission free.