To the Editor,
The recently intensified issue surrounding the fate of the Dionne Quintuplets’ home reflects the struggle to reconcile the past in the present. Two camps have emerged: those who wish to keep the home and the memory of the Quintuplets alive in the community, and those who wish to remove it for financial reasons, and also reasons of delivering North Bay from the dark stain of abuse inflicted upon these five women. These camps are equally guilty of sinking themselves into a pool of myth and heritage, rather than historical discourse and inquiry; however, the debate strongly evokes the old adage, “those who forget their history are doomed to repeat it.”
In his 2002 paper, “The Purpose of Teaching Canadian History,” Peter Seixas argues that there are three methods to moving from myth and heritage, to a place of true historical discourse: these include 1) Understanding the interpretive choices and constraints involved in using traces from the past to construct historical accounts, 2) Understanding the difficulties involved in representing the PAST in the present, and 3) that historical discourse is full of complexity and uncertainty. The reason both camps fall prey to the trap of heritage is because historical discourse is intimidating: it is difficult to break down myths and to challenge the heritage of a city and its people.
When choosing a side in this debate, keep in mind the story of these women. They were considered a miracle; five children born at once, all of which survived into adulthood. They attracted tourists from all over the world to rural Corbeil, with many tourists staying in North Bay, leading to a period of growth and development in the city. We do owe much of our early 20th century growth to these women. On the other hand, the Quints were raised in captivity, unable to live out a “normal” childhood, akin to animals in a zoo. Through the sacrifice of their formative years, these women built modern North Bay.
Now we come to the question of the home, the greatest artifact of the Quints that we have, and the debate of what to do with it. Some wish it gone, and to lift the darkness surrounding their history, while others wish it to stay as a reminder of both the good and the bad of their story. If we truly want transparency and understanding of the Quintuplets’ history, we must reconcile both views: that darkness comes part in parcel with the light. Forgetting is an easy solution, to sweep the matter under the rug and to let future generations forget. Remembering is also difficult, as it requires us to face a sad story, and to also rally members of the community who may not care.
I leave you with this to think about: if the Quints’ home is removed, and their memory fall into obscurity, what else in our city’s history can remain sacred? What else can be destroyed and forgotten? If you do not take the bad with the good, then the entire history of North Bay is on the chopping block. It is ignorance that lets us forget the past, and once the past is forgotten, the greatest threats to humankind are free to return.
Sincerely,
Joshua Pride, M.A., OCT.
North Bay
