Our Ancestors and How They Shaped The Land

24 March 2022 à 12:00 am

Updated on 13 September 2022 à 3:59 pm

Our Ancestors and How They Shaped the Land is a podcast that talks about some of the key figures that helped develop the Outaouais into the prosperous region that it has become.

Created in collaboration between the Regional Association of West Quebecers (RAWQ) and the Pontiac Community Radio Station (CHIP 101.9), the following podcast is a deep dive into the lives of four key pioneers that shaped the Outaouais region that we know today. Business, Family and Politics, in this podcast, we’ll learn of the Sparks, Wrights and Symmes families, of the relationships they shared and their work and influence helped shape the Outaouais region.

The podcast kicks off with Rick Henderson, a distant relative of Philemon Wright and the author of the book Walking in the footsteps of Philemon Wright. Next, we hear from Lynne Rodier, a local historian, who tells us about the life and career of Nicholas Sparks from his arrival in 1816 to his ownership of Bytown (Ottawa). Linda Sparks, a major contributor to the podcast, talks to us about the “King of Gatineau”: Alonzo Wright. And in the final episode, Lynne Rodier is back to tell us about Charles Symmes, the Owner of the Symmes Inn.

[bloc_espace][/bloc_espace]
[bloc_espace][/bloc_espace]
[bloc_espace][/bloc_espace]

[bloc_trait][/bloc_trait]

INTRODUCTION

Our Ancestors and How They Shape the Land starts with an introduction episode that focuses on the podcast’s conception, production and presentation. In this episode produced by Eric O’Brien, we explore the collaboration between CHIP 101.9 and RAWQ, and some key individuals that helped make it possible.

First is David Gillespie, a member of both organizations’ Board of Directors. He serves as both the treasurer of RAWQ and Vice-President of CHIP 101.9. David was adamant in getting the project off the ground and getting both organizations working together. In the second episode is Linda Sparks. She was the key to telling the stories featured in the podcast. She is widely regarded as the podcasts founder, producer and content writer. She wrote the episodes and found the guests to talk about our local pioneers. And, finally, Jacob Lavigne, the podcast host and producer, was the glue to making this project work. Working closely with Linda Sparks, and the others involved, to ensure that the collective vision for this project that came to life.

[bloc_espace][/bloc_espace]
[bloc_espace][/bloc_espace]
[bloc_espace][/bloc_espace]
[bloc_espace][/bloc_espace]

[bloc_trait][/bloc_trait]

EPISODES

EPISODE 1 – RICK HENDERSON – PHILEMON WRIGHT

Rick Henderson is the son of Philemon Wright Jr. and his wife Sally (Olmstead) and the great-grandson of Philemon Wright’s oldest son. Rick is also the author of the book Walking in the footsteps of Philemon Wright.

In this first episode, Rick tells the story of his ancestor, from his arrival in the Outaouais in 1800, to his impact on the local timber trade. When Philemon Wright arrived, he only had farming in mind, but he became one of the first pioneers and first permanent settlers in Canada’s National Capital and was known to be a major figure in the local timber trade industry. His original goal was to build a prosperous agricultural community in Canada.