Your Stories, Our Histories

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Consultation has concluded


The engagement phase in the Your Stories, Our Histories project has now concluded. Thank you for taking the time to provide input into an updated cultural heritage strategy for Kingston. Staff are reviewing all input received and will report back to Council in the winter of 2020. You can learn more about next steps here https://www.cityofkingston.ca/city-hall/projects-construction/your-stories


Kingston, as a community, has evolved and changed over time. Help us shape the exhibits, programs, and spaces that the City of Kingston creates for residents and visitors by getting involved in Your Stories, Our Histories. Your feedback may be used to identify a list of themes, issues and topics that could be used to develop future programming that includes exhibits, events and educational offerings on-site at Kingston City Hall as well as across other City-owned sites.

As a subset of the Your Stories, Our Histories project the City also invited residents to offer their perspectives on Sir John A. Macdonald and how his history and legacy can be positioned within a broader understanding of local history. This consultation is now complete. Learn more about the actions arising from this consultation at https://www.cityofkingston.ca/explore/culture-history/history/sir-john-a

We are listening! Here is how to get involved:

In person:

  • Come chat with us! We will be in the community at special events throughout the spring and summer. Take a look at the key dates, then plan to stop by and visit with us.
  • Attend a workshop that dives into themes and ideas that matter. Sign up to express your interest and availability - we will contact you once we have finalized the dates and locations of these workshops.
  • Visit the Sir John A Macdonald room in Kingston's City Hall and leave a comment card.

Online:

  • Offer your input below. Share your story, thoughts and ideas on how we can make Kingston's history more inclusive.


The engagement phase in the Your Stories, Our Histories project has now concluded. Thank you for taking the time to provide input into an updated cultural heritage strategy for Kingston. Staff are reviewing all input received and will report back to Council in the winter of 2020. You can learn more about next steps here https://www.cityofkingston.ca/city-hall/projects-construction/your-stories


Kingston, as a community, has evolved and changed over time. Help us shape the exhibits, programs, and spaces that the City of Kingston creates for residents and visitors by getting involved in Your Stories, Our Histories. Your feedback may be used to identify a list of themes, issues and topics that could be used to develop future programming that includes exhibits, events and educational offerings on-site at Kingston City Hall as well as across other City-owned sites.

As a subset of the Your Stories, Our Histories project the City also invited residents to offer their perspectives on Sir John A. Macdonald and how his history and legacy can be positioned within a broader understanding of local history. This consultation is now complete. Learn more about the actions arising from this consultation at https://www.cityofkingston.ca/explore/culture-history/history/sir-john-a

We are listening! Here is how to get involved:

In person:

  • Come chat with us! We will be in the community at special events throughout the spring and summer. Take a look at the key dates, then plan to stop by and visit with us.
  • Attend a workshop that dives into themes and ideas that matter. Sign up to express your interest and availability - we will contact you once we have finalized the dates and locations of these workshops.
  • Visit the Sir John A Macdonald room in Kingston's City Hall and leave a comment card.

Online:

  • Offer your input below. Share your story, thoughts and ideas on how we can make Kingston's history more inclusive.

Tell your story

As we start this conversation, we need your help to ensure your stories help our histories to be as inclusive as possible.  Please share your stories that may be less well known but are important to capture.  If you don't have a story you can also share your thoughts and ideas about local history so we can capture a diversity of themes, issues and ideas that are worth exploring. 

Please remember that this is a safe space for you to share your thoughts, feelings and opinions.  By sharing, you are helping to foster a community conversation. We ask that if you are inclined to use strong language that you do so in a responsible, respectful manner. Words are powerful, so please choose them wisely. 

Thank you for participating.  Your feedback will form part of the City of Kingston's larger 'Your Stories, Our Histories' public engagement project.  Want to keep talking?  Want to get involved?  We encourage your continued participation in this conversation by signing up for the Your Stories, Our Histories e-mail list.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
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    You can't learn from what you don't see

    by PB, over 5 years ago

    I don't agree with removing or pulling back from marking the history and significance of SJAM on Canada.  I do believe there is room to tell more of the story and the negative impacts. But blame can hardly fall on one man alone and above all else. 

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    Sir John A. MacDonald.

    by MarkN, over 5 years ago

    (second submission - corrected version)

    I believe that reconciliation can happen without trying to white wash history, and completely tarnishing the entire legacy of a prominent Canadian over one part of that legacy.

    Was the residential school system an atrocity? Absolutely.

    Looking back, was SJAM's prominent involvement in the schools a shame? Absolutely.

    Do I think the founding father of this great nation deserves to be torn down to "monster" status in order to heal and move forward? Absolutely NOT!

    He was a product of his environment during the times he lived in. His position on the indigenous Canadians was... Continue reading

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    Sir John A. MacDonald.

    by MarkN, over 5 years ago

    I believe that reconciliation can happen without trying to white wash history, and completely tarnishing the entire legacy of a prominent Canadian over one part of that legacy.

    Was the residential school system an atrocity? Absolultey.

    Looking back, was SJAM's prominent involvement in the schools a shame? Absolutely.

    Do I think the founding father of this great nation deserves to be torn down to "monster" status in order to heal and move forward? Absolutely NOT!   

    He was a product of his environment during the times he lived in. His position on the indigenous Canadians was no different than the majority... Continue reading

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    About Sir John A. ...

    by Anita1000, over 5 years ago

    Sir John A. MacDonald was an important, but flawed man.  Looking back, I'm sure we can all relate... 

    Instead of wiping out all reminders of him, a better approach would be to acknowledge the historical fault and the current problems that it created with a plaque or monument, in parallel to any reminders of  him, explaining what happened. The effort in public education, such as this, would go a long way toward ensuring that people understand what happened and the consequences for First Nations peoples. It could inspire us to work with First Nations to help them to overcome this... Continue reading

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    It's not about just "a" statute.

    by James87, over 5 years ago

    This will only be the starting point of a rabbit hole if we choose to go down it. Where does it end? It never goes as far as people hope it will... in fact it always just end up going further.

    If anything of SJAM's historical pieces are to come down, then on the same day all pieces with Trudeau name on it by the same standards must come down. Trudeau Sr was PM during the residential school era (isn't that what the bulk of the issue is about?)! What has SJAM done to be put on the chopping block... Continue reading

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    To be just in our time

    by catmassie, over 5 years ago

    "I do not think the purpose of a government is to right the past. It cannot rewrite history. It is our purpose to be just in our time" - Pierre Trudeau 

    We can recognise and discuss the dark side of McDonald's legacy while also celebrating what good he did for Canada. 

    PEI, Nova Scotia, British Colombia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta are all members of this country because of him. His main life work was to unite us. Because he knew united we were strong. In the late 19th century that is what allowed us to retain our sovereignty from the... Continue reading

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    Keep and contextualize

    by hendrik.j.venter, over 5 years ago

    Sir John A Macdonald's government, and the man himself, advocated for and implemented shameful policies towards indigenous people, and he may have been racist even for his time. But negotiating Confederation created a country that is now sincerely trying to work towards reconciliation, and that has brought much good into the world. Sir John had a grand, optimistic view of what Canada could be that we can both celebrate and critique. 

    Honour indigenous leaders from our history with statues of their own, or in a way their descendants and communities agree is appropriate. Contextualize the current statue by adding descriptions... Continue reading

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    Shaming who we are

    by FZ, over 5 years ago

    Go back a few generations in every family, no matter from where, no matter how well-established at the present time, and you will ALWAYS find someone or something that is shameful, unacceptable, criminal. Does it take away from who each one of us are today, does it define you as an individual? Are you willing to denounce your last name because your great-great-great-grandmother fell on hard times and made decisions that may not make you proud of her today, or because your great-great-great-great-grandfather had to do something that by our today's morally acceptable and politically correct standards would make him... Continue reading

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    Questions are important

    by Junior, over 5 years ago

    I have more questions than answers: 

    Is there a suitable compromise between those who want the statue removed and those that want it to remain? 

    Should there be a compromise? 

    Does taking down a statue erase or re-write history? 

    Are Sir John’s accomplishments and actions not preserved in archives, books, and articles across the country and online? 

    Is history much larger than a statue? 

    Does a simple statue without explanation of the deeds of the person inherently reduce the history by focusing attention on an idol rather than the important details of historical events and actions? 

    What is more important... Continue reading

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    Leave History alone.

    by Alex Duncan, over 5 years ago

    I wish cities would leave History alone and stop trying to rewrite it. It is after all History which is by definition, what has happened in the past.

    Live with it.