Past Event
Launch of Volume 52 of Up The Gatineau!
Fairbairn House - June 14, 2026
Congratulations to GVHS Publication Director, Louise Schwartz, and all the Up The Gatineau! production team for another successful launch of the Society’s signature publication, held on June 13 on the grounds of the Fairbairn House Heritage Centre.
The event was capably emceed by GVHS Board Member, Tina Therrien, and began with the Land Acknowledgment by Avery, Willow and Freddie, students from Wakefield Elementary School, followed by a sacred tobacco (Asemaa) offering to Kitigan Zibi Elders, Albert Dumont and Gilbert W. Whiteduck.
After opening remarks by GVHS President, Gilbert W. Whiteduck and a welcome to the Fairbairn House Heritage Centre by Lucie Bazinet, Louise launched Volume 52 by introducing all the authors and editorial team who contributed to the latest edition.
Susan Derby presented the 2026 Arthur Davison prize to Tina Therrien for her article: “Taking Root in Fieldville,” in Volume 51 of Up the Gatineau!
GVHS Honorary Life Memberships were awarded to Dave Dunphy and Shirley McGlashan in recognition of their mutual dedication in marketing and distributing GVHS publications since 2013, and an Award of Honour was presented D. Jeffrey Brown in recognition of his ongoing contribution to the history and heritage of the Gatineau Valley.
The event closed with a reflection by Algonquin poet and storyteller, Albert Dumont, and a poignant reading by Phil Cohen of “A Toast,” by Brian Doyle, published in Volume 50 of Up the Gatineau! .
The following article "Up the Gatineau: first dates and lightning strikes" was published in the "The Low Down to Hull and Back News" on May 27, 2026.
Images from the Launch of Volume 52 of Up The Gatineau!
Reconnaissance de territoire – Classe de 2026
Nous, élèves et membres de la communauté de l’école primaire de Wakefield, reconnaissons que nous vivons, apprenons et grandissons sur le territoire traditionnel non cédé du peuple Algonquin Anishinaabek.
Ce territoire fait partie de notre quotidien.
Nous y jouons au soccer, au hockey, au basketball, au football et au baseball.
Nous nageons et pêchons dans la rivière, marchons dans la forêt, faisons du vélo, du ski, de la planche à neige, du hockey-balle, du jardinage, du camping et faisons de l’art. Nous apprenons et vivons dehors, en toutes saisons.
As a school community, we understand that acknowledgment must be followed by action.
We commit to honouring this land through what we do every day: caring for the river by keeping it clean, protecting forests and wildlife, planting trees and gardens, reducing waste, recycling, and composting, respecting the land even when no one is watching or even when no one cares.
Nous sommes ici parce que cette terre est vivante.
Elle nous offre l’air que nous respirons, l’eau qui nous rafraîchit, les arbres qui nous protègent, les animaux que nous observons sur le chemin de l’école.
Quand nous sommes sur cette terre, nous entendons le vent et les rapides, nous voyons les oiseaux revenir au printemps, nous ressentons la liberté, la joie, le calme et un profond sentiment d’appartenance.
We commit to learning the histories, cultures, and voices of the Algonquin Anishinaabek, and to listening with humility and respect.
We recognize that reconciliation is not a single moment, but a shared responsibility and an ongoing journey — built through small, honest actions, taken together.
By caring for this land, quand on apprend de l’un et l’autre, et en choisissant le respect, we promise to be part of a future rooted in relationship, responsibility, and hope.
Land Acknowledgment presented on June 13, 2026 by students from Wakefield Elementary School at a special event of the Gatineau Valley Historical Society at the Fairbairn House Heritage Centre.