The Francophone community in Windsor-Essex gathered recently to unveil a newly restored monument erected in Sandwich Town, thanks to some help from St. Clair College faculty and students.
The monument features a tri-centenary canoe, which initially was in east Windsor but was restored and unveiled at the Queen's Dock Park in Sandwich. The land is owned by the Windsor Port Authority and was donated to the Association des Communautés Francophones de l'Ontario of Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent (ACFO WECK), and funds used to relocate the monument were provided by the Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan.
Dignitaries join members of ACFO WECK at the Queen's Dock Park in Windsor, Ont. to unveil a new monument on March 21, 2025. (Rich Garton/St. Clair College)
Students in the Civil Engineering Technology program had the opportunity this Fall to get involved process, where they took part in the geotechnical investigation, core drilling and learned about the various aspects of planning a project of this magnitude from professionals, providing students with industry connections.
"The opportunity for students to work on this project provided real-world experiences which we are able to tie to in-class learning," said Dr. William Tape, a professor in the School of Engineering Technologies.
"Moreover, it demonstrates St. Clair's devotion to being a community partner," Dr. Tape said. "We are extremely proud of the students for their dedication to the project as they worked on this over weekends, outside of their regular busy schedule, as full-time students."
AFCO WECK representatives were thrilled with the new monument, which was unveiled to much fanfare and applause.
"The local Francophone and Francophile community is very excited and proud to be able to have the tri-centenary monument restored and moved to its new location where the original Francophones pioneers arrived by boat through lake Erie and the Detroit River where Antoine de Lamothe Cadillac settled on the shores of Sandwich West," said Gisèle Dionne, the Executive Director of ACFO WECK. "We are planning to use this space for special events such as the raising of the Franco-Ontarian flag, making the site a tourism and historic attraction through monument visitations and other special Francophone events open to the public to attend."
"I feel that we have accomplished our vision by moving the new monument to be more visible and to showcase our Francophone pioneers, as well as current and future generations," said Dionne. "I am grateful to our all our partners that have helped make this happen. I am proud to say this vision has been accomplished and I am looking forward to seeing what other opportunities will be there."
Dr. Tape was at the unveiling ceremony and said the students cherished their time on the project and are looking forward to the next opportunity to collaborate with industry.
"They're part of something that's bigger than them. It's being part of the community. And that's the best part about this," Dr. Tape said.
