Franco Ontario Day at Sainte Marie Among the Hurons, Midland Ontario - September 25

"Wearing my shirt and ready to go!"

*note this blog was written following attendance to the 2012 festivities*

2015 Franco Ontario Day is Friday September 25.

This day celebrates French culture and traditions in Ontario. Francophone or not, this is a day to embrace and support the culture and bring about awareness of the large francophone community in Ontario.

According to the 2006 Canadian census, there were 488,815 self declared francophones in Ontario (declaring one mother tongue), comprising 4.1 per cent of the province's total population. *from Wikipedia

The French method of transportation
The Voyageur Canoe - which was quickly
adapted from watching and learning from
the native birch bark canoe.

Ontario’s first European Community, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons was the headquarters for the French Jesuit Mission to the Huron Wendat people. In 1639, the Jesuits, along with French lay workers, began construction of a fenced community that included barracks, a church, workshops, residences, and a sheltered area for Native visitors.

By 1648, Sainte-Marie was a wilderness home to 66 French men, representing one-fifth of the entire population of New France. Sainte-Marie's brief history ended in 1649, when members of the mission community were forced to abandon and burn their home of nearly 10 years.

French style construction deep in
Native territory

After extensive archaeological and historical research, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons is now recreated on its original site, where the mission’s compelling story is brought to life.

Today at Sainte Marie among the Huron's special Fanco Ontario Day celebrations we heard the local story of the Loup de Lafontaine. The story was quaintly told in the smoky long house. We enjoyed this very much - especially since it was told with puppets! A perfect visual aid for my 3 year old son.

C'est bon le violon!!

We were serenaded by violin players. The violin has long been an instrument played by francophones.

French style shoes  ~1640

We visited the blacksmith shop and were shown many influencial items that the French brought into the area for the the very first time. For example, iron and the art of blacksmithing, various fabrics and materials and clothes items made with them.

Blacksmith shop items - iron was
introduced by the French to the area.
Things like hinges, nails and knives were
made here. No horseshoes. Horses
were not yet in this part of Ontario.

Franco Day Celebrations or not, it is well worth taking your family to Sainte Marie among the Hurons. It is rich in history and told in a child friendly way. Kids can see history come alive with costumed interpreters, artifacts and wonderful story telling. Their hands on approach on site is an interactive way for children to learn and become interested in their history. All the staff is friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about educating the next generation about the history of Ontario and how it came to be.




Featured Midland Accommodations:

Best Western Plus Highland Inn and Conference Centre

Midland Tourism

...and they had CAKE! :-)