Discover the future of La Vérendrye Park!
La Compagnie de La Vérendrye, in collaboration with an Indigenous Advisory Committee, has unveiled the proposed La Vérendrye Park Development Plan and launched an open call to Indigenous artists for the creation of a new public art installation in the park.
For more information, check out our page about the project.
We are celebrating our 30th anniversary in 2024!
La Compagnie de La Vérendrye has been showcasing Francophone heritage in the Western Canada since its first musket volley in 1994.
Thank you for joining us for our 30th anniversary celebrations at La Vérendrye Park on Canada Day, July 1, 2024. Your presence at our encampment to learn about the fur trade during the New France era, watch military demonstrations, and share celebratory cake with our soldiers and voyageurs made the day most memorable.
MISSION
Founded in 1994, La Vérendrye commemorates the French presence that has been part of local history for nearly 300 years. The re-enactment group’s name is inspired by the first “Canadian” French-speaking explorer and military man, Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, Sieur de La Vérendrye, to come west via the Great Lakes in the early 18th century.
The volunteers of La Compagnie draw inspiration from the golden age of New France, the fur trade in the early 18th century and the unique alliances forged between Indigenous peoples and the French. Through their activities in Manitoba and elsewhere, they interpret the culture of trade and exploration and the lives of the early French in Western Canada.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Compagnie de La Vérendrye remembers the alliances between the French of Canada and the first peoples of the prairies and forests, who have been present on these lands since time immemorial. We acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional territories of these peoples and on Treaty One territory.
We also acknowledge that it was the meeting of First Nations and French Canadians that gave rise to the Métis nations and communities of North America.
We regret the harms and mistakes of the past and we pledge to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of gratitude, reconciliation and collaboration.
EVENTS
Past Events
Monday, July 1, 2024
Celebrating our 30th anniversary on Canada Day at La Vérendrye Park
Saturday, June 8, 2024
Montcalm Heritage Festival, in St. Joseph, Manitoba
Saturday, June 1, 2024
50th anniversary of the Comité culturel de Lorette, in Lorette (Manitoba)
PIERRE GAULTIER DE VARENNES
The origins of Pierre Gaultier de Varennes and Sieur de La Vérendrye
La Compagnie de La Vérendrye recounts the lives of the voyageurs and soldiers who followed the explorer Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, Sieur de La Vérendrye, and his four sons in their quest to discover a route to the Western Sea and China via the rivers and lakes of Western Canada between 1728 and 1749.
They travelled on foot and by canoe through parts of what is now Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the American Midwest, and explored new lands in the name of Louis XV, King of France.
JOIN OUR RANKS
Are you interested in the hobby of historical re-enactment? Does the idea of donning the uniform of a soldier in the time of New France or wearing the capote of a voyageur in the French fur trade era appeal to you? Apply to become a member of La Compagnie de La Vérendrye and help bring French heritage to life in Western Canada!
Contact Captain de Bonneville at info@laverendrye.ca to express your interest and find out more
AVIS À LA BELLE JEUNESSE
LA COMPAGNIE DE LA VÉRENDRYE
Compagnie franche de la Marine
EN GARNISON AU FORT ROUGE
DE PAR LE ROI
BRILLANTE JEUNESSE, qui désirez acquérir de la gloire en servant votre Colonie, venez sous les Drapeaux de la COMPAGNIE DE LAVÉRENDRYE. Détachés pour trois ans sous les ordres de monsieur le Chevalier DE LAVÉRENDRYE, Capitaine des Troupes du Roi et Commandant du Poste de la Mer de l’Ouest, il vous fera toutes sortes d’arrangements, argent comptant, traite des pelleteries, habillé de neuf avant votre départ, un service aussi doux qu’agréable au FORT ROUGE chez nos Alliés Assiniboines & de très bons engagements à ceux qui feront voir le plus de zèle pour le service de SA MAJESTÉ à la découverte de la Mer de l’Ouest.
Le Commandant récompensera généreusement ceux qui lui procureront des hommes fiers et hardis.
Au Fort Rouge, MDCCXXXVIII
IN THE MEDIA
(all media coverage in French only)
La Compagnie de La Vérendrye is the first (and only) French-speaking military re-enactment group in Western Canada. Would you like to be kept informed of our activities? Subscribe to our newsletter to find out more about Western Canada in the days of New France and follow our adventures!
CONTACT
© 1994-2024 - La Compagnie de La Vérendrye - Per Mare et Terras ⚜️ Site Web par Jennifer Marcheterre