2022 Management Plan Implementation Annual Update

Achievments

Management Plan:

The preparation of the next management plan was initiated with the first meetings of the national historic site's Shared Governance Trust Committee.

Activities and events:

Ongoing collaboration with Les Amis du Vieux-Fort has been put forward for managing the historic site's shop, and for workshops on traditional crafts, with financial support from the Commission culturelle du Témiscamingue.

A number of events were held to promote the site in cooperation with key players in the region, including a cultural activity presented in partnership with the Timiskaming First Nation on Indigenous Peoples' Day on June 21, Canada Day, with its musical performances; the Rendez-vous des voyageurs, with a re-enactment of a travellers' camp, and the activity presented during the Foire gourmande de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue, featuring a tasting of pizzas baked in the site's traditional bread oven.

Cultural heritage:

Two archaeological chimney remains were restored by a Parks Canada team specializing in heritage masonry. The initial restoration phase was also started on the old workshop. Work will continue next year.

Visitor numbers:

Visitor numbers are in line with the average for the last 10 years, but have fallen compared to the exceptional year 2021, from 9,779 visitors in 2021 to 7,000 in 2022. This drop was also observed at several other tourist sites in the region, and can be explained by a return to normal visitor numbers.

Partnerships and collaboration:

Partnerships with various community players to present the site demonstrate their sense of belonging to the site, particularly among the First Nations, who are holding more meetings on site.

The first meetings of the site's Shared Governance Trust Committee concern the strengthening of ties between the Timiskaming First Nation, the tourism and cultural community of Temiskaming and Parks Canada, with the aim of managing the national historic site.