Pierre Lahoud
pp. 65–78
Record
Abstract
Marius Barbeau pursued several careers simultaneously : anthropologist specializing in native cultures, folklorist in search of Québec songs and folktales, coordinator and spokesperson for exhibitions, museologist and curator. His legacy is fascinating and exceptionally rich. However, we knew less of his work as photographer who produced high quality photographs in the field. Like the major photographers who brought us extraordinary and moving testimonies of the past, Barbeau traveled through Canada in search of disappearing landscapes. His photographic work goes well beyond documentary preservation. What emerges is a photographic collection that has both esthetic and documentary qualities, and that must be taken into account in order to adequately situate this great man in Canadian history. Barbeau sought to capture images representing human beings in their everyday lives, and exerted great patience in doing so. He obviously cared about the human dimension of his subjects, but he also gave great importance to the surroundings in the images, thus helping to express their meanings and situating them in time and space.
Monique Genest-LeBlanc
pp. 79–89
Record
Abstract
Is it proper to reveal facts that correct certain myths and legends, and to uncover the truth ? This is what we are doing by examining a few particular cases. Érasmus wrote in 1509 : « Men do not want to be disturbed in their legends and do not like their truths to be challenged. » Does the judgment of Érasmus remain relevant today ? We are dealing here with legends written down by Pierre Poulin in 1897 on the origin of the Assumption sash ; with Isaac Brock’s belt supposedly given to him by Tecumseh ; with the painting by Thielke, in 1838, of Huron chiefs wearing Assumption sashes, giving the impression that they were their creators ; with a belt brought from Canada to the Pitt-Rivers Museum in England and considered to have originated among the Amerindian population of the western plains ; with Cécile Barot’s writings that cause confusion by stating that belts were « braided » rather than to woven. We conclude that the hidden side of the truth is not always easily accepted.
Pascal Huot
pp. 91–98
Record
Abstract
This article traces the history of the large-scale public works and voluntary efforts that gave birth to a parochial cemetery and a unique theme park dedicated to the Canadian Holy Martyrs in Québec. Situated in the Giffard sector of the district of Beauport in Québec City, the site is the work of a man of faith who wished to create a monastic gravesite for the deceased martyrs and a commemorative park for pilgrims. Such was the ambitious project of Father Joseph-Arthur Gauthier, who was in charge of the local parish for 37 years. We now ask : What is left of the initial project today ?
Bernard Genest
pp. 99–129
Record
Abstract
During the summer 2014, Louise Décarie and Bernard Genest met a dozen maple syrup producers of Beauce County with the aim of completing their application files within the framework of the « Programme de valorisation des porteurs de traditions » (Program for the valorization of traditions bearers) under the auspices of the Société québécoise d’ethnologie. In this article, Genest reports on meetings held with producers confronted with the emergence of an industry which progresses at a time of important technological breakthroughs, and evolving in a marketing context which does not favour know-how, or the product’s origin, nor its pedological properties. After a brief presentation of the informants and their businesses, the author invites us to reflect on the continuity of the practice through the process of change and on the future of maple syrup in an ever more competitive world market. Could the challenge today be to create a truly symbolic local product identified with Québec and its regions ?
Nicole Champagne, Stéphane Doyon, Jean Dendy and Michael O’Malley
pp. 131–143
Record
Abstract
For this first contribution to Rabaska, the director of the Centre de conservation du Québec (Ccq), Ms. Nicole Champagne, presents this exceptional institution which groups under one roof the most important team of preservation and restoration professionals in Québec. The Ccq then presents us with three texts prepared by specialists that acquaint us with some of their favourite restoration projects grouped under the theme of hunting and fishing. Stéphane Doyon, member of the woodworking workshop, tells a restoration process undertaken on the polychromatic panel entitled « wall of trout fish » ; Jean Dendy, who specializes in ethnological artifacts, tells the history of a powder horn carved from an aurochs’ bone ; finally, Michael O› Malley, restorer of paintings, presents an overview of the care given to a work presenting the Lord’s « Miraculous catch of fish ».
