HomeMy WebLinkAboutX2023-006-162Ministry of Ministere des Huronia Historical Parks
(� Culture and Affaires culturelles Pares Historiques de la Huronie
�(v�{ Midland, Ontario, Canada
Recreation et des Loisirs 705-526-7838
Ontario
Huronia Historical
P. O. Box 160
Midland, Ontario
December 9, 1977
Mr. Robert Miller
R. R. #1
ORILLIA, Ontario
L3V 6H1
Dear Mr. Miller:
Parks
L4R 4K8
For more than 300 years Sainte -Marie among the Hurons,
the first European community in Ontario, has been a
symbol of peace and understanding between nations.
When first constructed by French Jesuit missionaries
in 1639, Sainte -Marie stood as an example of European
culture -- a place where native peoples could find
friendship, food, shelter and instruction in Chris-
tianity.
:hough the original community lasted only ten years,
the courage, resolution and dedication of tl-c men who
lived here have reached over centuries to touch each
of us and give us a lasting and exciting heritage.
Examples of this heritage can be found at Sainte -Marie
today, especially in the carefully reconstructed mis-
sion and intriguing sound and light museum, but also
in such things as the Sainte -Marie Prize series, the
first Canadian Christmas Carol and the Canada Post
Christmas Carol stamps.
In late October Canada Post released a very special
Christmas stamp series commemorating the first Christmas
Carol "Jesous Ahatonhia", written by St. Jean de Brebeuf
at Sainte -Marie in 1641. Designer was Ronald White of
Stroud, Ontario.
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Sainte -Marie among the Hurons (1639-1649) Sainte -Marie au pays des Hurons
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As a reminder of Canada's rich and varied cultural
past, we at Sainte -Marie would like you to have one
of these stamps. It has been placed on a "first day
cover", unique in that it contains a special cachet
stamp next to your name, a cancellation on the day
the stamp was first issued (October 26), and a can-
cellation notation "Sainte -Marie - home of Canada's
first carol 'Jesous Ahatonhia'" which has only been
used for a short period of time on mail originating
from Midland. Please accept this memento of Sainte -
Marie with our compliments.
The Christmas Carol has been an enjoyable project
for us lately. This year we completed production
of a 45 r.p.m. recording of the carol. The record
was originally released to radio stations last year
for Christmas music programmes. It was so popular,
not only as a beautiful carol but also because it
was authentically Canadian, that we were encouraged
to produce copies for sale at Sainte -Marie. It now
accompanies a colourfully illustrated book which
describes the background of the carol.
Another fall project was the publishing of the 1975
Sainte -Marie Prize-winning manuscript, "Building A
House in New France" by Peter Nicholas Moogk, pres-
ently a professor of history at universi. y of
British Columbia.
Professor Moogk's book brings to four the number of
Sainte -Marie Prize series publications. The Sainte -
Marie Prize is offered annually for original research
work into 17th century Canada. The award is a cer-
tificate, a monetary prize of W11,649 which commemo-
rates the year in which Sainte -Marie was burned by
the Jesuits, and the manuscript publishing programme.
"Building A House in New France" describes the cultural
evolution of New France through the big business of
housebuilding, the problems, the craftsmanship or
lack of it, the impressive structures, the legal
contracts and the social life.
It is a story of how a small group of short people ...
"just over five feet tall" ... with giant spiritual
and emotional resources survived in a hostile environ-
ment "having a climate far more extreme than anything
they could have experienced in France".
/ . 3
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"More than a house was being built. A nation was
also being built", Peter Moogk wrote. Detailed in
various aspects of early "Canadien" house construc-
tion, it is beautifully illustrated by Toronto artist
Carole Richards. The book will be a treasured item
in any library.
Traditionally the true spirit of Sainte -Marie existed
away from -the mission community especially during
the winter season when the missionaries were out
working among the Hurons, teaching Christianity.
The staff of Sainte -Marie today is proud to carry
on this spirit, only now the message we communicate
is one of learning about, and preserving our heritage.
Perhaps you are interested in our projects and pub-
lications. If so, you will find the enclosed order
form useful.
If you desire further information, please do not
hesitate to contact us.
We wish you the very best of the season.
Sincerely,
C&S
Doug Col
Manager
Sainte -Marie among the Hurons
Tel. No.: (705) 526-7838
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