Porcupine Miners Memorial
Hope To See You At The
Dedication Ceremony 1:30 pm July1, 2008
McIntyre Park, Schumacher Ontario
…memorial to those who died
…monument to the families who survived
…tribute to those who continue
July 1, 2008
Every project has three main stages. The joy of inspiration of the project, the reality of what you have gotten yourself into and finally the pride of accomplishment. Today we are at the final stage and all those who have put in many hours (some of them painful hours) should feel very proud of this memorial.
There is a
saying that there are people who make things happen and people who take credit
for things happening and I can honestly say the committee I have worked with
are the people who make things happen and should take credit for it.
The mining
industry in Timmins has been a community building industry and the people who
have worked here are some of the best mining people in the world and they also
should be proud of what they have accomplished over the past 100 years. They
came from all corners of the world to work in demanding and sometimes
unforgiving profession. There have been
many tragic events over the years with multiple deaths but somehow those who
survived were able to continue to laugh and to enjoy the bounties of life.
Today we remember those who have gone before us and we thank them for their
sacrifice so we can live in one of the best communities in the world
Porcupine
Miners Memorial Committee
President Robert
Calhoun
Vice President Lynda
Geddes
Treasurer Arthur
St. Jean
Secretary Deborah
Dagenais
Fund Raising Chair Rheal Dupuis
Publicity Chair Elizabeth
Ferrari
Director at Large Selina Damini
Director at Large Walter Kienapple
Director at Large Michael Doody
Director at Large Helena Silarski
PMMC Founding Committee 1999
President John Pollak
Vice President Anne Lachance
Sec/Treasurer Margaret Kangas
Hugh Vallance
–
Designer, Mentor and Inspiration
The designer of the Miners Memorial was a self described “back pack miner” who loved the life and the people in it. His rendition of a suitable monument was created from his memory of real experience, respect and admiration for the men and women whom he encountered. An artist, author, philosopher and teacher, avid fisherman and loving family man, Hugh embodied the true essence of a hard working miner who loved his work and those he came home to.
Hugh Raider Vallance died March of 2008. He will be remembered as a renaissance man.
Laura Brown Breetvelt - The Artist
was born in the Northern mining town of Elliot Lake, Ontario. Elliot Lake has
been and continues to be home to an active art community. Her mother is an
artist at heart. Her father is a lawyer, and both are avid supporters of the
arts; " My parents would have Artists over for dinner often, "
says L. B. Breetbelt and " I definitely feel that growing up in such an
environment served to nourish my creative expression and ultimate occupation.
"
We gather here today
for a solemn occasion but with pride and joy upon the completion and dedication
of this memorial. Mining has been the
backbone of this community for nearly 100 years and the people who worked in
the mines gave of their strength, their sweat and in too many cases their
lives. The Miners Memorial Committee
recognized the need to honour the hard-working men and women who helped build
this community. Today we celebrate the
committee’s dedication to the task of creating this reality. We celebrate the
fact that the community and especially some of the construction companies
shared our vision and stepped forward to provide materials, labour and
expertise in creating the memorial before us today. We hope that it stands the test of time in the recognition of
those miners who gave the ultimate for their families and their community. On behalf of council congratulations.
Program
Timmins Police Pipe Band Parade
O Canada
Mayor Tom Laughren
Introduction of the Committee
Introduction of the Artist
Introduction of President
Presentation of Mining History
Provincial and Federal Representatives
Trillium Foundation Remarks
Mine Managers Association Remarks
Ontario Labour Council Remarks
Formal Dedication by Clergy
Pipe Band Recessional March
Thank you to our Supporters
Ontario Trillium Foundation
United Steelworkers Union
CAW Union
Porcupine Mine Managers Association
Porcupine Gold Mines – Goldcorp
B.H. Martin Consultants Ltd.
Staples Business Depot
Porcupine Engineering Services Inc.
Ontario Labour Council
Custom Concrete (Northern)
Gorf Contracting Ltd
Northern Allied Steel
Poly Fusion
Schumacher Lions Club
Inspiration Mining
And
We must also recognize the many individuals who supported this project in whatever way they were able. Nine years of working toward a collective goal has resulted in this day. We are not finished but collectively, we have achieved a significant beginning.
Thank You All !