Lakeshore Advance, 2011-12-07, Page 3Lights, Camera, Action...
An Ontario Town Lands a Starring
Role in a Historic Casting Call at
Rideau Hall
Lakeshore Advance
With a cast of 55 Huron
Jounty
residents, locals in 11Paseph, Ontario are starring in
their own true heritage tale of
one of the most colourful resi-
dents of their rural French-
Canadian settlement.
'Narcisse' is a play about
Narcisse Cantin (1870-1940)
who is best known for his
audacious plan to create a
canal linking Lake Huron to
Lake Erie. Cantin turned St.
Joseph into an early 20th cen-
tury boomtown on the specu-
lation of the canal's construc-
tion. Along the way, Cantin
won the support of prime
ministers, giants of industry,
local folk and even the
recently canonized Brother
Andre,
The St. Joseph and Area
Historical Society spear-
headed this pioneering play.
Local folks assumed the lead
roles, stitched the costumes
and built the props. For fos-
tering community pride and
enhancing civic memory, the
St. Joseph and Area Historical
Society is recipient of the
newly created Govemor Gen-
eral's History Award for Excel-
lence in Community
Programming.
Honourable mentions
Include:
Ilerstories Cafe - Features
free monthly events and infor-
mal talks by local, academic
historians, archivists, history
educators, curators and com-
munity members who all
share intriguing stories about
local women's history.
Fort Macleod Historical
Association - Developed a
creative and active educa-
tional program to educate
community members about
the earliest days of the North
West Mounted Police in Fort
Macleod and their relation-
ship with the Blackfoot
people.
Pointe-du-Buisson/Musee
Quebecois d'archeologie -
Created a permanent exhibi-
tion entitled, 'Fouilles 100%
publique' to present the
results of over 14 years of
archaeological excavations in
the community.
Created by Canada's his-
tory Society, the Governor
General's History Award for
Excellence in Community
Programming celebrates pro-
gramming developed by vol-
unteer -led heritage, commu-
nity and cultural organizations
at the grassroots level. Mem-
bers of the St. Joseph and Area
Historical Society will receive
this prestigious award from
His Excellency the Right Hon-
ourable David Johnston, Gov-
ernor General of Canada on
Monday, December 12, 2011
in Ottawa at 10 a.m. at Rideau
Hall. The announcement and
presentation of the award is
part of the newly constituted
Governor General's history
Awards.
"Canadians most often get
their first taste of the 'stories'
that make up our history
through local and community
initiatives such as these. 'they
provide important texture and
context to the history we learn
at school and read about in
books or watch on television,"
said Deborah Morrison, Pres-
ident & CEO of Canada's I lis -
tory Society.
"We're delighted to have this
opportunity to highlight some (Attie
country's most extraordinary com-
munity -led efforts to commemorate
the past and hope they will inspire
others to do more as well?'
In total, seventeen Canadians will
be honoured along with the St.
Joseph and Area historical Society
at Rideau Hall as part of the Gover-
nor General's History Award pres-
entation. Announcements continue
throughout the coming week and
profiles of all the recipients, along
with students' stories and essays
will be available at: www.Canad-
asHistory,ca/GGAwards.
The Governor General's History
Awards bring together students,
teachers, historians, museums and
community organizations, writers
and media producers to celebrate
as well as learn from each other. The
day prior to the award ceremonies,
recipients will participate in a pub-
lic history forum at Library and
Archives Canada. 'This year's forum,
"Speaking of History:1low 1 listor" is
Explored Beyond the Classroom is
open to the public to attend onsite
or online by registering at www.
Canadashistory.ca/
HistoryFonum2011.
About Canada's History Society
Canada's History Society is a
national charitable organization
devoted to popularizing Canadian
history. In addition to presenting
the Governor General's History
Awards and publishing Canada's
History (formerly 'the Beaver) mag-
azine, as well as Kayak: Canada's
history Magazine for Kids, the Soci-
ety also produces a number of edu-
cational and online programs to
encourage more discovery, celebra-
tion, and understanding about our
rich history and culture. More
details can be found at www.(:ana-
dasl listory.ca.
Sandra tight
Special to Lakeshore Advance
Paul Ciuto, author
for Narcisse and Rob
Bundy plays Narcisse
Cantin. in this scene
from Narcisse, a new
play about St. Joseph
by Paul Ciufo, he shows
potential Investors his
plana for the Canal
connecting Lake Huron
to Lake Erie from St.
Joseph to Port Stanley.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 3
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