P.E.I. students share Canada's history at annual Provincial Heritage Fair
Grades 5 to 9 put their projects on display at Confederation Centre of Arts
Dozens of Island students from grades five to nine shared their projects on Canadian heritage at the Provincial Heritage Fair at Confederation Centre of the Arts Thursday.
The students explored the history of topics such as their families, communities, history makers and Canada in general.
Christianne Riveroll did her project on residential schools, about the conditions and what Canada is doing now to help what was done in the past.
"I was surprised to know how badly abused they got … I didn't think it would be that bad," said Riveroll.
Riveroll said she was inspired to study the topic because her family is from Belize and she wanted to learn about other cultures' experiences in Canada.
"I didn't realize they were taken from their home, all the poor conditions they had to live in and how badly they got abused and even some got murdered," said Riveroll.
Claire Sharpe, dressed as her great grandmother would have, shared her project about why her Irish ancestors had to leave their country and come to Canada.
"They came because of religious discrimination … They kind of had to go or else they could have been killed," said the 10-year-old.
Grade five students Simon McGonnell and Caleb Herron dressed up as Don Cherry and Ron MacLean for their project on former NHL star Gordie Howe.
"He never gave up and he had humble beginnings," said Herron.
McGonnell said he also learned that Howe had dyslexia.
The fair was organized by the Department of Education, Early Learning and Culture, PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation, Parks Canada and Community Museums Association of PEI.
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