Micheline's Put-in
 
What's in a name?
We recently celebrated "la Journée des Patriotes" here in Québec. Throughout the rest of Canada and the Commonwealth, this holiday is recognized as Victoria Day. Purist Quebecers relish these distinct and disassociative holiday name changes: what better way to show disdain towards being recognized as Canadian than to celebrate a national holiday differently than the rest of Canada?
As I mentioned in a previous article ("Frenglish: the Canadian official language hein?"), I tend to sit on the fence as far as our two official languages go; however I'm not without opinions, and one of my pet peeves as far as the French go is their continuous renaming of streets and holidays.
In the early 1980's, Victoria Day was renamed "La fête de Dollard des Ormeaux" for Adam Dollard, Sieur des Ormeaux. Although there are various accounts regarding what actually happened, the common belief is that des Ormeaux and 17 other men led the way to prevent an Iroquois invasion on Montreal in 1660. Pretty noble thing to do, I say, not to mention patriotic! Still, regardless of how heroic I find the story of Dollard to be, the symbolism of putting his name on a holiday that was originally devoted to a figure depicting the Commonwealth sends out a pretty loud message… And the message gets even stronger…
On November 24th 2002, "la Fête de Dollard de Ormeaux" was changed to "la Journée des Patriotes" (Patriot's Day) in order to commemorate the defence of the French civic rights by the Patriots from 1837 to 1838. Being born French, I can appreciate the need to acknowledge and remember French heritage; however, I believe that if the purpose of naming or renaming is to commemorate one's heritage, it is important to tell the whole truth. In the case of "la Fête de Dollard de Ormeaux", renaming the holiday to depict specific patriots (which to my understanding are men who were blatantly against the British rule), denies the glory of des Ormeaux, a man who actually fought for this land. This is not to mention the level of insult that is inherent in the deliberate removal of des Ormeaux from the "patriot" category. Being selective in one's story telling creates bias; how ironic this is, since the French are supposedly fighting for equal rights!
One of Montreal's major boulevards was renamed Rene-Levesque, after one of Quebec's former Premiers who re-ignited the "separation" issue throughout Quebec during the mid- seventies. The street was formerly named Dorchester, after the British Lord Dorchester. What I'm sure many French Quebecers are not aware of is that Lord Dorchester actually helped the French people to preserve their culture. He fostered the Quebec act of 1774, which gave French Canadians complete religious freedom, and he restored the French form of civil law. This brought about better relations between the British and the French Canadians. Surely, this suggests that not all English are bad, that there is a way that two cultures can work in harmony without one of the cultures being lost? Speaking of lost…
My all time favourite pet peeve is the merging of communities issue. Recently, Montreal and its surrounding suburbs have merged into "one island, one city:" Montreal. Personally, it doesn't bother me, although I know my sentiments are not shared by the folks from the elitist area formerly known as Westmount (a whole other story!). Where I do get my knickers in a knot is when I find out that my hometown of Aylmer (a two hour drive from Montreal) is now called Gatineau. There are about 12 cities/municipalities that have been merged together throughout the Outaouais region. I appreciate that life is about change, and that change is necessary in order to grow. But how dare these heartless diplomats completely rewrite the maps? To rename my hometown Gatineau? Blahh !!! I realize that I'm being totally irrational, but I'm a human being; human beings are irrational. We mere mortals get attached to things like names. If someone were to rename me for political or financial reasons, I would give that person a choice name of my own, not to mention that I would also give them a choice place to go...
A name is given in order to provide identity. Identity is necessary in order to maintain individuality. Quebec's identity is, in part, being changed by taking away some of the names that helped put it on the map in the first place. This new ID is fake. The irony in all of this is that the purists have been screaming for separation, for the right to be free of Canada. Didn't anyone tell them that it's not lies and deceit that will liberate them, but in fact, that it's the truth that will set them free… the whole truth!
© Micheline's Put-In
Send comments to Micheline - click here
If you have any ideas how to make our country better - Send your comments to: Canadian Ideas
Thanks for your help
best regards
www.CanadianCulture.com
Get Involved!
Your Ideas are Important!
Content is contributed by various Canadians and does not necessarily
reflect the views of canadianculture.com.
|
 
|
