Young historians reflect on Canadian history during Canada150 event at York

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Some 70 students from across the province will show how Canadian history impacts them as part of a special sesquicentennial Ontario Provincial Heritage Fair, which takes place at York University’s Founders Assembly Hall on Saturday, June 10 from 10:30am to noon.

Young historians will share in a celebration of Ontario’s rich multi-cultural history and heritage over the course of three days, June 9 to 11, while in Toronto, visiting key community sites.

Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor The Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell

The event is organized by the Department of History at York University, the Archives of Ontario, and the Ontario Heritage Fairs Association as part of Canada 150 celebrations.

The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, lieutenant governor of Ontario, will address the students and view their winning projects. The participating students, from grades 4 to 10, were selected from across Ontario.

Thirty of the students are Ontario’s representatives in the national Young Citizens program, offered by Canada’s History. The young citizens created videos that show the historical significance of a place, person or event from Canada’s rich past. The national launch of the online component of the program will take place June 12, but visitors to the Provincial Heritage Fair can preview them at the fair on Saturday.

For Professor Marcel Martel in the History Department and one of the organizers, the fair gives an opportunity to meet young students from all over Ontario, and share with them their passion for history.

Everyone is invited to attend the fair on Saturday. For more, visit www.ohhfa.ca/Provincial_Fair_-_2017.php.

This year’s fair sponsors include Canada150@York, Dean’s Office, Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, the Ontario government’s Ontario150 Community Celebration program, the Ontario Power Generation, Canada’s History and its partners, Canadian Heritage and Great West Life, the Ontario Teachers’ Federation, and the Ontario History and Geography Consultants’ Association.