History lessons need more than just story (except in early grades). Historical fiction alone is not a good way to teach history. Here are inaccuracies to watch for. Characters: While historical fiction may be well-researched and the events presented as accurately as possible, the values of the characters will not be. Readers will not like…
Six reasons historical fiction will enhance your students’ understanding of history. You’ll see many living books and novels listed in our curriculum guides – books which will enhance the lesson or topic. Canada’s Native Long Ago includes many stories, including by First Nations authors as much as is possible. See our various book bundles for…
This Heritage Minute delves into Sir John A. Macdonald’s role in the negotiations that led to Canada’s Confederation. Click the image to view the video. The Charlottetown Conference in 1864 was attended by delegates from the Province of Canada and the leaders of the Maritime colonies. Macdonald spoke about his grand vision of a future…
The Matthew, piloted by John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto), sailed either to Cape Bonavista, or St. John’s, NL around 1497. Two full-sized replicas, one in Bristol, England, and the other in Bonavista, were built for the 500th anniversary of the landing.
The video below is an animated version of a short story by Roch Carrier, who narrates this tale based on his boyhood experiences in rural Quebec. Imagine a young boy’s chagrin when his only Montreal Canadiens hockey sweater wears out and ‘Mr. Eaton’ sends him a Toronto Maple Leafs sweater by mistake!
In 1918, through the efforts of social reformer Nellie McClung, Canadian women finally received the vote. In 1929, through the activism of Nellie and the “Famous Five“, women were officially declared “persons” in Canada. Led by judge Emily Murphy, the group included Henrietta Muir Edwards, Nellie McClung, Louise Crummy McKinney and Irene Parlby. Together, the five women had many years of…
A community is a group of people living or working together in the same area. What kind of communities are you in? Your first community is your family. Your neighborhood is a community. Your county, town or city is a community. There are urban communities and rural communities. Find out more about how you can be…
Did you know that Canada’s national police force, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) dates back to the time of Confederation? Prime Minister John A. Macdonald created the original force (the North-West Mounted Police) to round up horse thieves and whiskey smugglers on the Prairies. Since 1886 recruits have completed basic training at the Depot…
Head in the clouds and experience a light-hearted giddiness, a surge of adrenaline, and the exhilarating freedom of flight. Have you dreamed of flying? This documentary paints a vivid portrait of the bush pilots who soar daily above the boreal forests and tundra of Quebec’s Great North. Bush pilots of northern Quebec, the last of…
Terry Fox inspired the nation and the world through his courageous struggle against cancer and his determination to raise funds for cancer research. Not long after losing his right leg to cancer, Fox decided to run across Canada to raise awareness and money for cancer research. He ran from St. John’s, Newfoundland, to Thunder Bay,…
Lyrics in French (Canadian dialect):
Quand on part des chanquiers
Mes chers amis tous le coeur gai
Pour aller voir tous nos parents
Mes chers amis le coeur content.
Envoyons d’l’avant nos gens
Envoyons d’l’avant!
Mais qu’nos amis nous voyent arriver
Y vont s’mettr’ à rire, à chanter.
Dimanche au soir à la veillée
Nous irons voir nos compagnées.
Dimanche au soir à la veillée
Nous irons voir nos compagnées.
Elles vont nous dire mais en entrant
V’là mon amant, j’ai l’coeur content!
Elles vont nous dire mais en entrant
V’là mon amant, j’ai l’coeur content!
Et au milieu de la veillée
Elles vont nous parler d’leus cavaliers.
Et au milieu de la veillée
Elles vont nous parler d’leurs cavaliers.
Elles vont nous dire mais en partant
As-tu fréquenté des amants?
Elles vont nous dire mais en partant
As-tu fréquenté des amants?
Qui a composé la chanson?
C’est Jos Blanchet le joli garçon!
English translation:
When we leave the chanquiers (woodworking locations)
My dear friends, all with hearts gay,
To see all our friends and family,
My dear friends, all with hearts gay,
Let’s go boys, let’s go!
Let’s go boys, let’s go!
When our friends will see us arrive,
They start laughing and singing,
Sunday night at the vigil,
We’ll go see our partners,
Sunday night at the vigil,
We’ll go see our partners,
They’ll tell us as we enter,
Here’s my lover, my heart is happy,
They’ll tell us as we enter,
Here’s my lover, my heart is happy,
And at the middle of the vigil,
They’ll tell us of their lovers,
And at the middle of the vigil,
They’ll tell us of their lovers,
And they’ll ask us as we leave,
Did you go see any mistresses?
And they’ll ask us as we leave,
Did you go see any mistresses?
Who wrote the song?
It was Jo Blanchet, the pretty boy
