(Quebec) The future National Museum of Quebec History, target of criticism from First Nations, will “start with Champlain” and focus on “the nation which was French-Canadian and which is now Quebecois”, affirmed the Prime Minister Wednesday.
“There are 11 indigenous nations, and we are open to working with them so that there are ways to make their nation known, but the idea is to show the history of the nation which was French-Canadian and who is now Quebecois, who started with Champlain,” launched François Legault during a press briefing at the National Assembly.
“Our Quebec nation began with Champlain, perhaps a little with Jacques Cartier,” he said in English.
The National Museum of Quebec History (MNHQ) project has raised many questions since its announcement with great fanfare on April 25. Where does the national history of Quebecers begin? What role will the museum play for indigenous people and minorities, such as the historic English-speaking minority?
On Tuesday, the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) sharply criticized the Prime Minister’s comments, according to which “it is important to start with Champlain, at the very beginning.”
The AFNQL also deplored comments made by historian Éric Bédard, appointed by Quebec to the scientific committee responsible for establishing the content of the future museum. “It is said that history begins with writing, and before history, there is prehistory. Perhaps the natives are a bit of the prehistory of Quebec,” Mr. Bédard said.
“Mixing”
Several elected officials from the CAQ clarified on Wednesday the mandate of this future museum, which should open in the spring of 2026 in the Camille-Roy pavilion of the Séminaire de Québec.
I think it was confusing for many people. We are talking about a museum that will tell the history of the Quebec nation, and not the history of Quebec.
the Minister responsible for Indigenous Affairs, Ian Lafrenière
The Minister of Culture, who oversaw this museum project, maintains that it is normal for the Quebec nation to have a museum on its history just like the indigenous nations have.
“Indigenous nations have museums that talk about their history and I encourage them to continue, moreover we often contribute financially to initiatives to highlight the different histories of Indigenous nations,” said Mathieu Lacombe.
The Minister of Culture specifies that despite its name, this future National Museum of Quebec History will be devoted to “national history” rather than the history of Quebec in the broad sense.
“The government’s intention is to talk about the national history of Quebec, the history of the Quebec nation and the experts we are going to commission will do that,” he said. This museum is not a promotional tool for the Government of Quebec; the content will be written by experts. »
A place for Leonard Cohen
However, several questions remain, such as the place that will be given to minorities and indigenous people in this national story.
“I see a place for people like Leonard Cohen, they are part of our history, so I see a place for them,” replied the Prime Minister of Quebec the day this $92 million project was announced.
Ministers Lacombe and Lafrenière were cautious on Wednesday, recalling that the scientific committee on which Mr. Bédard sits would decide on the content.
“It is the Museum of Civilization which is in charge of constituting the scientific committee which will be most useful to its work,” indicated Mr. Lacombe. “I think it’s never helpful for government to tell science what to do. »
The Press asked Tuesday at the Musée de la civilization if an indigenous historian would sit on the scientific committee. The Museum referred us to the Ministry of Culture.
with Tommy Chouinard and Charles Lecavalier, The Press