Detroit Historical Museum hosts French-Canadian Heritage Day

The Detroit Historical Museum hosted French-Canadian Heritage Day Oct. 2. It was an opportunity to learn more about French-Canadian history, influence and cultural presence.

Several speakers gave presentations on a variety of topics with historical relevance. Members of the audience who were of French-Canadian ancestry were able to learn more about what life was like for their families in the 1700s.

Nationally acclaimed storyteller Debra Christian showed off furs and animal skins as she told tales of the French voyageurs and the fur trapping trade. She ended her presentation with scintillating folklore about drunken voyageurs, who made a deal with the devil for a flying canoe in order to visit their sweethearts. The voyageurs ultimately lost their souls, and the audience enjoyed a good laugh.

“This was an exciting venue to storytell in,” Christian said. “I could feel the energy of the audience as they were learning and exploring French-Canadian heritage.”

Gail Moreau-DesHarnais, Suzanne Boivin Sommerville and Diane Wolford Sheppard represented the French-Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan with individual presentations about Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit, the French presence in Michigan and Robert Navarre census records, respectively.

Moreau-DesHarnais offered historical maps to supplement the audience’s understanding of what Fort Détroit was like. It was shown that the current layout of modern Detroit was heavily influenced by concessions made by Antoine Laumet de Lamothe Cadillac in 1707.

“You have to know where you came from in order to know who you are and where you’re going,” Moreau-DesHarnais said. “You’ve heard that before, but it’s true. You have to know your past.”

Sommerville defined French terms such as censitaire, meaning a free habitat, and bandités, meaning seigneur’s rights, as she gave an overview of the seigneurial system observed in French households in Michigan.

Sommerville encouraged the audience to visit French-Canadian historical sites in the area, especially the archeological digs at Fort St. Joseph in Niles, Michigan.

Sheppard’s presentation analyzed the censuses made by royal notary Navarre in the 1700s. The compiled data revealed much about the lifestyles French-Canadians lived. There was discussion regarding British disdain of the French and foot races that were common competitive ground.

To wrap up the celebration, musical guest Alexandre Belliard performed a set, titled "Légendes d’un peuple.” A singer and songwriter from Montréal, he sang songs he had written about legendary French-Canadian historical figures to the delight of the crowd.

For more information regarding the information presented by the FCHSM, including the slides shown at the celebration, please visit their website at www.habitantheritage.org.

Visit the Detroit Historical Museum for free at 5401 Woodward Ave. and keep up with the intriguing community oriented events they host. Find out more here: www.detroithistorical.org. Their next big cultural spotlight will be a celebration of African American History Day in February.

Contact Reporter Aleanna Siacon: 586-354-5040 or fv7748@wayne.edu. Follow her on Twitter: @Aterese11

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