Letter to the editor:
The family of Hugh Cummins Sr. would like to acknowledge our appreciation and pride at the unveiling of a plaque dedicated to the Cummins Archaeological Pre-contact site (Mapleward Road Area), to be installed at Hillcrest Park later this spring.
The Historic Plaques and Monuments Board of Canada chose to honour our father’s contribution to the history of this area, pre European contact, by unveiling a plaque at the Baggage Room (PA Marina) on Feb 28th, 2016.
We understand that Bill Ross (retired Regional Archaeologist) and Scott Hamilton (Archaeology Professor at Lakehead University) did a fantastic job of explaining the historic significance of the site and provided pictures and context about the site. We understand that MP Patty Hajdu and Coun. Ian Angus were invited and were in attendance at the unveiling ceremony.
As youngsters, my siblings and I were all involved in our father’s ambitious research into the archaeology of this area. All of us tramped over, and dug in, many beaches and sites following in our father’s footsteps.
It is unfortunate that Parks Canada (Plaques and Monuments Board) did not conduct even the basic research necessary to track down family members residing within the City of Thunder Bay. Therefore, my siblings and I did not know about this plaque ceremony honouring our father until we read about it in the media.
The local representative of Parks Canada has offered the family an apology and has assured us that there will be another unveiling ceremony when the plaque is installed at Hillcrest Park.
We look forward to being in attendance when our father’s work is remembered a second time at Hillcrest Park this spring.
- Maggie Cummins (daughter of Hugh Cummins Sr.)
