The Fur Trade at Lachine National Historic Site of Canada

Follow-up information for groups learning English as a second language

To the Edge of a New World program

Presentation

Many Parks Canada sites have as their main themes issues that are raised in the citizenship exam.

The objective of this document is to give you information on sites located in and around Montréal, elsewhere in the province of Québec and throughout Canada which could prove useful to you when preparing for the citizenship exam. And, if you cannot get to the historic sites, it is always possible to consult their Internet sites in order to obtain loads of information when preparing for this same exam.

The following sites that are mentioned are useful mainly for Part 1 of the citizenship exam, especially those questions related to:

  1. First Nations Peoples
  2. Canadian History
  3. The Government and Confederation

Sites located in and around Montréal:

The Fur Trade at Lachine National Historic Site of Canada

Located to the west of the Island of Montréal along Lake Saint-Louis, The Fur Trade at Lachine National Historic Site testifies to the apogee of the fur industry in the Montréal region in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Themes: Native way of life; the fur trade; the Hudson's Bay Company.

The Fur Trade at Lachine National Historic Site of Canada
Interpretation Team
1255, Saint-Joseph Blvd.
Lachine borough
Montréal, QC H8S 2M2

Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier National Historic Site of Canada

The Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site of Canada commemorates the life and accomplishments of one of the Fathers of Confederation, Sir George-Étienne Cartier. The reconstitution of the two adjoining homes of the Cartier family also serves to recall the architectural heritage left by the upper middle class of 19th century Montreal.

Themes: Confederation, Canadian political life.

458, Notre-Dame East
Montréal, QC H2Y 1C8
Tel : (514) 283-2282
www.pc.gc.ca/cartier

Louis-S.-St-Laurent National Historic Site of Canada

The Louis S. St. Laurent National Historic Site of Canada, which is located in Compton, in the Eastern Townships, some 20 km from Sherbrooke, is a living reminder of the life and work of the former Prime Minister of Canada.

Theme: political life

Tel: (819) 835-5448
www.pc.gc.ca/st-laurent

Manoir Papineau National Historic Site of Canada

Located in Montebello, halfway between Hull/Ottawa and Montréal, the Manoir Papineau National Historic Site represents one of the most treasured heritage locations in the area surrounding La Petite-Nation and in the greater Ottawa River region. The Site has been designed primarily to commemorate Louis-Joseph Papineau, the man who was to become a leading figure in Canadian politics during the 19th century.

Theme: political life

Tel: (819) 423-6965
www.pc.gc.ca/papineau

Sir Wilfrid Laurier National Historic Site of Canada

The Sir Wilfrid Laurier National Historic Site of Canada is located in Ville de Saint-Lin-Laurentides, a town 60 km north of Montreal. The site commemorates one of the most important figures in Canadian political history, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the man often referred to as the father of modern Canada. His long career straddles a period of major political and economic changes. As Prime Minister of Canada from 1896 to 1911, Laurier was instrumental in ushering Canada into the 20th century and in obtaining gaining greater autonomy for his country vis-à-vis its international partners.

Theme: political life

Tel: (450) 439-3702
www.pc.gc.ca/laurier

Côteau-du-Lac National Historic Site of Canada

The Coteau-du-Lac National Historic Site is located 40 km southwest of Montréal on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, and offers a window on a particularly rich history going back several millennia in time. Owing to its strategic position on the River, the main route into inland North America, this site has played a major role in the development of river transportation in Canada. At first a portage for nomadic Aboriginal peoples, Coteau-du-Lac later became a genuine bypass for travellers from Great Britain and France.

Theme: aboriginal life in the Saint-Lawrence River Valley

Tel: 1-888-773-8888
www.pc.gc.ca/coteau

Sites elsewhere in the province of Québec

Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site of Canada

The Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site of Canada commemorates the period in 1535-1536 when Jacques Cartier and his shipmates wintered near the Iroquoian village of Stadacona. This National Historic Site also recalls the establishment of the first residence of the Jesuit missionaries in Québec, in 1625-1626. Located on the north shore of the Saint-Charles River, in the heart of Québec, the site stands as a reminder of the meeting of two cultures, one European, the other Amerindian, and uses a variety of approaches to bring out the heritage values associated with this event.

Theme: aboriginal way of life

Tel: (418) 648-4038
www.pc.gc.ca/cartierbrebeuf

Grosse-Île and Irish Memorial National Historic Site of Canada

Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site commemorates three significant aspects of our history: first, the importance of immigration to Canada, particularly through Quebec City, from the early 19th century until World War I; second, the tragedies of Irish immigrants, especially due to the 1847 typhus epidemic; and finally Grosse Île's role from 1832 to 1937 as a quarantine station for the Port of Quebec, long the main point of arrival for immigrants coming to Canada.

Theme : immigration

Tél : (418) 234-8841
www.pc.gc.ca/grosseile

Sites elsewhere in Canada

Province House National Historic Site of Canada

The birthplace of Confederation and the seat of Prince Edward Island's provincial legislature since 1847, Province House National Historic Site stands as a landmark in Charlottetown. Visitors can learn about the history of the site and the current Legislative Assembly through guided tours, displays and an audio-visual presentation.

Theme: Confederation, canadian political life

Tél : (902)566-7626
www.pc.gc.ca/provincehouse

Port Royal National Historic Site of Canada

This national historic site features a reconstruction of early 17th- century buildings representing the former colony of the French who settled for a time along the Nova Scotia coast. Costumed interpreters and period demonstrations help recreate the look and feel of Port-Royal, one of the earliest settlements in North America. Visitors can also take in the panoramic view of the Annapolis River and Basin.

Theme: French colonisation

Tel: (902)532-2898
www.pc.gc.ca/portroyal

Fort George National Historic Site of Canada

During the War of 1812, Fort George served as the headquarters for the Centre Division of the British Army. These forces included British regulars, local militia, aboriginal warriors, and Runchey's corps of freed slaves. Major General Sir Isaac Brock, “the saviour of Upper Canada” served here until his death at the Battle of Queenston Heights in October, 1812.

Theme: Loyalists

Tel: (905) 468-4257
www.pc.gc.ca/fortgeorge

Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site of Canada

Motherwell Homestead depicts the lifestyles, costumes, and architecture of the early 20th century.

Costumed guides give you a glimpse of the life and career of pioneer farmer and politician, W.R.

Motherwell, and his significant influence on the development of scientific agriculture in Western Canada.

Theme: agriculture

Tel: (306) 333-2116
www.pc.gc.ca/motherwell

Riel House National Historic Site of Canada

As its name implies, this national historic site of Canada has close ties with Métis leader and a founder of Manitoba, Louis Riel. Occupying river lot 51 along the Red River, Riel House National Historic Site was Riel's family home, where his descendants continued to live until 1969. It is here, in the living room of his mother's house, that Riel's body lay in state for two days in December 1885.

Theme: Louis Riel; Métis nation

Tel : (204)257-1783
www.pc.gc.ca/riel

For further information, please go to www.pc.gc.ca