Fort Témiscamingue National Historic Site officially opens for visitor season on June 21

Press Release

From: Parks Canada

Dreaming of spending the summer outdoors and exploring the stories of the past? Memories await you at Parks Canada’s places from coast to coast to coast!

June 4, 2019 Duhamel-Ouest, Quebec Parks Canada Agency

Whether you’re looking for adventure, fun science activities for the whole family, a chance to explore history, or a break from the everyday, Parks Canada has 450 000 km² of protected areas with countless unique experiences to suit your needs.

Starting on June 21, Fort Témiscamingue National Historic Site will officially open for the 2019 visitor season.

On the same day, the fort will host the powwow organized by the Timiskaming First Nation community, which will be offered free of charge on National Indigenous Peoples Day. This will be an opportunity to participate in a colourful celebration that will bring together dancers in regalia who will perform to the sound of traditional songs and drums. A feast of Aboriginal flavours, starting at 5 p.m., will close this event.

Starting June 22, guided tours, costumed animation presentations, and audiovisual presentations will be available. The Obadjiwan Exhibition, which tells the entire history of Fort Témiscamingue and testifies to the thousand-year-old presence of the Anishnabeg in the region, will transport visitors back to the days of the flourishing fur trade. In addition, from Thursday to Monday, young Anishnabeg craftsmen will make and present to visitors various objects typical of their culture. At Fort Témiscamingue, there is something for everyone, from the youngest to the wisest.

On July 1, admission to the site is free in celebration of Canada Day. To mark the occasion, visitors will be able to enjoy birthday cake, tea, and scones. At 1 p.m., they will be invited to the launch of the O’Profonde painting exhibition by artist Lyne Gagnon. The celebrations will then continue with music, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., with the performance of the Témiscamingue group Mother Nature, who will perform his album Renaissance.

On July 20, during the Summer Festival, it will be the turn of the Boomerang band to perform from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Regular admission fees apply during that day.

Parks Canada’s places belong to all Canadians. The Government of Canada is pleased to continue to offer free admission to all Parks Canada’s places for youth aged 17 and under. By encouraging young people to discover nature and connect with history, we can help to inspire the next generation of stewards for these protected places.

In celebration of diversity, Parks Canada continues to offer free admission to new Canadian citizens for one year through the Institute for Canadian Citizenship’s Canoo mobile app. Visiting Parks Canada’s national heritage places is a great way for Canadians to experience the outdoors and learn more about our environment and heritage.

Parks Canada’s staff at Fort Témiscamingue National Historic Site are excited to welcome new and returning guests back to experience everything that the site full of history has to offer.

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Quotes

“Warm weather is finally here. It’s the perfect time to head back outside and reconnect with the places we love. Parks Canada has so many wonderful places where Canadians and visitors to Canada can explore our wilderness and learn about our culture and history. The Government of Canada is pleased to offer free admission to all Parks Canada’s places for young people, 17 and under. So let’s get outdoors, visit our national parks, historic sites, or marine conservation areas, taking advantage of discovering the places in Canada we love best.”

The Honourable Catherine McKenna,
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

Quick facts

• The Fort Témiscamingue National Historic Site is open from June 21 to September 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Admission fees are $3.90 per adult, $3.40 per senior and free for those 17 years of age and under and for residents of Duhamel West.
• Near the site, visitors are invited to stroll along the pebble beach and in the enchanted forest that surround beautiful Lake Témiscamingue
• The latest Parks Canada’s app update makes trip planning for Parks Canada’s locations across the country even easier for first time visitors. Visitors can now find Learn-to Camp content in the app and can obtain information on proper camping equipment, tips, and recipes. Visitors can even plan their entire trip itinerary and create a camping checklist.
• Enter Parks Canada’s Discover Canada contest for a chance to win an amazing trip to Canada’s North- Yukon! In collaboration with our proud partners: MEC, CIBC, Air Canada, and Air North.

Contacts

Marie-Monique Jean-Baptiste
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Mauricie and Western Quebec Field Unit, Parks Canada
438-777-6118
marie-monique.jean-baptiste@canada.ca

Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.medias-media.pc@canada.ca

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