Champlain Statue Back in Gatineau | Winnipeg News

Winnipieg News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 20, 2026 · 1m

Gatineau quietly reinstalled Samuel de Champlain’s statue—taken down a decade ago—on unceded Algonquin land, sparking fresh debate over colonial monuments. While other cities like Orillia grapple with their own Champlain statues, Gatineau’s move, done without fanfare, draws attention. First Nations leaders, including Jean-Guy Whiteduck, demand recognition of Indigenous contributions to Champlain’s voyages and call for a plaque. The statue’s missing sword, damaged in vandalism before its return, adds irony to the controversy. This quiet reinstallation mirrors a national reckoning over whose…