In attendance for the Nov. 14 dedication ceremony of La Société Historique et Généalogique de Smoky River was (from left) Lucette Maisonneuve, treasurer, Jean and Claire Lapierre, (Claire is president of the Historical Society of Franco-Albertans), society president Gaétan Gravel-Gervais, Dunvegan-Central Peace MLA Hector Goudreau, Doris DeChief, resource centre administrator, and director Gérard Fillion.

Dozens of residents from throughout the Smoky River region were on hand in Donnelly Nov. 14 to celebrate 25 years of excellence in service on behalf of La Société Historique et Généalogique de Smoky River. The special afternoon celebration included the attendance of a number key individuals directly involved with the society as well as McLennan Mayor Don Regier of McLennan, Girouxville Mayor Carmen Ewing and Claire Lapierre, president of the Historical Society of Franco-Albertans. Also in attendance was Dunvegan-Central Peace MLA Hector Goudreau, who brought greetings on behalf of the Government of Alberta after being introduced by society president Gaëtane Gravel-Gervais. “This world has not been lost to us, thanks to the astute judgment of some heritage-minded individuals from the Donnelly-Falher area,” said Goudreau in reference to the hard work and dedication which went into making the genealogy centre the prominent historical icon that it is today. “It was with great foresight that these people recognized the value of preserving the words of people like Father Clut, Husson, Tissier and Grouard, in creating a research centre to house their letters and to make them available to the public. He went on to say those letters were only the beginning of something bigger and better for the Donnelly-based research centre which is now prominently recognized as the largest provincial Francophone-based genealogical and historical facility west of Winnipeg. The local facility allows historians, genealogists and the general public to access a wealth of historical resources ranging from baptism, marriage and burial records, to photographs, school records and extended genealogical resources from across the country. It’s also part of a broad support network of historical and cultural facilities located throughout the Peace country which promote local business and tourism. The centre also plans to offer genealogy lessons in the near future, bringing the gift and value of history to even more people. “History of our families and our communities connects us to the place we live, inspires us with stories of challenge and triumph, and helps us face the future with confidence,” Goudreau added. “On behalf of Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach, Minister of Culture & Community Spirit Lindsay Blackett, and the Government of Alberta I am pleased to salute La Société Historique et Généalogique de Smoky River in reaching this important milestone,” he said prior to presenting the society with two certificates of appreciation (one in english and the other in french) from the province on its 25th anniversary. He also presented the society with a plaque commemorating the centre’s status as the largest provincial Francophone-based genealogical and historical facility west of Winnipeg. One of the most influential individuals behind the resource centre existence is former resident Madame Marie Beaupre, whose passion and keen interest towards preserving the value of family, church, and community history sparked the initial movement to form a society. Madame Beaupre, founder and first president of the society, was unable to attend the event. The research centre allows its members the opportunity to take a unique and interesting opportunity to step back in time through its broad base of archived local history books of Francophone, Metis, and Anglophone families. Noella Fillion, a long-time volunteer for the resource centre, says the facility offers a wealth of information where people can learn about their ancestry, adding the research centre is also an asset for tourism. “It is important to know where one comes from to know where we go. You must be dedicated to continue the work,” she says. Resources at the centre – a valuable resource to anyone who cherishes the true value of family and community history – date back to as early as 1534 when explorer Jacques Cartier first settled in Canada in 1534. Inventory at the centre also consists of missionary letters (1862 to 1920)m ascendant charts, unpublished local histories, photographs and negatives, journals on microfilm, newspaper collections, a collection of registers of the Dioceses of MacKenzie, Fort Smith, Grouard, McLennan for baptism, birth, confirmation, marriage, and death, family history books, periodicals and much more. The resource information centre is open five days a week on Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 780-925-3081.