Orillia city council voted last week to have the monument reconstructed in its original form, but accompanied by something that better reflects both its historical context and current sentiments toward reconciliation. “And I think that’s what we’ll end up having coming out of this.”Others don’t see it that way. A plaque fixed to the monument states it was “erected to commemorate the advent into Ontario of the white race” under Champlain’s leadership. “We’re not celebrating Champlain,” Sioui said in an interview, noting the French explorer was not a hero to the Huron-Wendat people. In late January of last year, the City of Halifax removed a statue of Edward Cornwallis, who founded the city in 1749.

Source: National Post July 07, 2019 19:30 UTC