University of Waterloo research assistants, Sarah Reilly and Monika Sosnowski, are currently filming and starring in a new bilingual YouTube channel called L’Ontario français et ses premiers textes (Early Ontario French Narratives). They first researched a number of fascinating elements of 17th and 18th century Ontario history, including:
- Early dictionaries of Ontario’s indigenous languages by Gabriel Sagard and Jean de Brébeuf
- La Salle’s extensive commercial trade on the Great Lakes
- Pastedechouan, an aboriginal boy sent to France by Champlain
- French and Aboriginal conceptions of dreams
- Cartography of the Great Lakes and the lower Grand River by René de Galinée
Monika and Sarah filming in James N. Allan Provincial Park in Haldimand.
Sarah and Monika share their excitement for this fundamental part of Ontario history on a public platform. “It’s easy to dismiss this part of our collective memory,” says University of Waterloo professor, François Paré. “Yet, the voyageurs were the first witnesses and participants in an era of contacts with indigenous peoples. That alone continues to define what we are today”. Sarah and Monika have managed a successful Facebook page, but their foray into YouTube has been the most rewarding. “The ability to be able to share this information to a wider audience is exciting,” says Sarah. “It is also a wonderful opportunity to spread history that is often overlooked.”
What is at stake is a deeper understanding of French Ontario history and its inseparable connection with aboriginal history. The videos are filmed in Southwestern Ontario: around the Kitchener-Waterloo area, including Huron Natural Area and St. Jacobs Mill Race Trail, on the Toronto Carrying Place, along the Grand River (called La Rapide in 17th century Ontario) and on Lake Erie by the Dollier and Galinée wintering site of 1669 in Port Dover.
With six videos already posted and many more to come, there’s something on this channel for everyone, from local history buffs to educators! The videos deliver concise and interesting information alongside quotes and pictures to make history come alive!
Sarah Reilly
After graduating from a French Honour’s degree at the University of Waterloo, Sarah completed a year at the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University. She will be continuing with her studies in the fall in the French Studies graduate program at the University of Waterloo.
Monika Sosnowski
Monika, a Kitchener native, completed her studies in the French Teaching Specialization program at the University of Waterloo this past year. She will be attending the Faculty of Education at Nipissing University this coming fall.
Sarah and Monikataking a photo while filming at the mouth of the Humber River in Toronto.
Everyone is invited to learn more about Ontarian history in this engaging video series!
Find them on YouTube and Facebook by searching for L’Ontario français et ses premiers textes!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/LOntario-fran%C3%A7ais-et-ses-premiers-textes/133185756873765?fref=nf
Website: https://uwaterloo.ca/premiers-textes/
About the Project
Our research focuses on the writings of French voyageurs and missionaries in the Great Lakes Region (Ontario, New York, Michigan) between 1636 and 1760. These fascinating texts constitute the earliest form of literature written in French in what is now the Canadian province of Ontario.
Contact Information:
Office Hours : 8:30am to 3:30pm (Monday through Friday)
Phone: 519 888 4567 (ex. 35201)
Monika Sosnowski
musosnow@uwaterloo.ca
Sarah Reilly
screilly@uwaterloo.ca
Modern Languages, Room 334A
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON