With excerpts from: http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/6529058-welland-museum-looks-back-at-the-great-wars/
MNO Niagara Region Métis Council President Derrick
Pont (left) and MNO Veterans’ Council President Joe
Paquette (far right) presents the MNO Veterans’ Council
book to Welland Museum curator Penny Morningstar
(middle). Click here to view a larger version.
On May 6, 2016, the Welland Museum launched the Niagara and the Great Wars exhibit, which looks back at the impact of both world wars on the community and pays homage to Métis and First Nations involvement in both of the 20th century’s great wars.
Prior to the launch, Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Veterans’ Council President Joe Paquette and MNO Niagara Region Métis Council (NRMC) President Derrick Pont were invited to participate in the creation of this exhibit, providing the museum with their expertise on Métis involvement in the Great Wars.
The exhibit also features a plethora of artifacts, uniforms and medals from a local private collection, together with the MNO Veterans’ Council, MNO NRMC, First Nations – Brantford, Royal Canadian Legion Br. 4, Welland and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 613, Fonthill.
The Ontario Canadian World War One Commemoration Foundation-funded exhibit—with contributions from the Welland and Pelham Legions, the MNO NRMC, First Nations Brantford and the Ward Family Collection—was the brainchild of Cameron Ward, who is named as the exhibit’s guest curator.
This exhibit represents the ways in which the Welland community came together during the war years, through personal items from veterans who served and the ways in which we remember those who lost their lives.
Welland Museum curator Penny Morningstar notes the exhibit is particularly special in that it will be presented not only in English and French but also in the Métis language of Michif and in Mohawk.
“For us at the museum it was really important,” said Morningstar, explaining it is a unique chance to share those languages as they struggle against fading away. “People can come in and see the written word,” she said.
Seen as an important pre-cursor to the Vimy Ridge Commemmoration in Ottawa in 2017, the MNO Veterans’ Council is very appreciative for this incredible opportunity, which was initiated by President Pont.
The MNO Veterans’ Council encourages as many people as possible to attend the exhibit and support this fantastic initiative. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Thursdays from 1- a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information about this exhibit, please visit the Welland Museum.
Published on: May 19, 2016