The Basques : Telling the Tale

Gabrielle Ayotte Garneau carries on the Basque storytelling tradition with a legend that has thrilled her neighbours for decades.

Co-produced by Julien Gagnon-Rouillard & Robert Majewski

 — Posted June 21, 2022
Read the transcript

Bordered by the river and the winding streets of the Morency waterfront, the heritage ruins of the Haunted House of Trois-Pistoles reminds residents and visitors of the more obscure parts of Les Basque’s history. Gabrielle Ayotte Garneau, executive director of Compagnons de la mise en valeur du patrimoine vivant de Trois-Pistoles, tells us the legend that has thrilled residents for decades, thus perpetuating the tale and underlining the important place occupied by the tradition storytelling in the region.

For a complete immersion in the world of storytelling, why not take part in the Rendez-vous des grands gueules, festival of tales and stories from the Francophonie, which takes place every autumn in Trois-Pistoles?

La série

The Basques: Rurality, Resistance, Resilience

Documentarians Julien Gagnon-Rouillard and Robert Majewski explore different facets of rural life by documenting alternative projects taking root in the Basques of the Bas-Saint-Laurent region.

The Basques: Embracing Rurality

In this introduction to the documentary “The Basques : Rurality, Resistance, Resilience,” several members of the community — including Soraïda Caron, Wina Forget, and Nicolas Falicimaigne — offer their reasons for moving into a rural area.

The Basques: Taking Part in Culture

In the past 60 years, the Quebec region of Les Basques has had a strong relationship with the arts.

The Basques: Protecting the Land

The Basques community is known for its activism around social and environmental issues.

The Basques: Returning to the Land

In this interview with Maurice Vaney, back-to-the-lander, city councillor and important actor in the local cultural scene, we compare how things were in Trois-Pistoles back in 1974 with how they play out today.

The Basques: Retracing History

The regional county municipality of the Basques is located in Mi’kma’ki and Wolastokuk territory, in the heart of the Wabanaki confederation.

You could win a free book!

Sign up for any of our newsletters and be eligible to win one of many book prizes available.

Sign up now!

Themes associated with this article

Related to Settlement & Immigration

Montreal: Putting Down Roots

In this video, Pierre Anctil — author, historian, and professor in the Department of History at the University of Ottawa — discusses pivotal moments in the migratory history of Montreal.

Video

Sitting On Fire

In 1972, Canada took in thousands of Ugandan Asians who were stripped of their citizenship and given only ninety days to leave their homeland.

Article

New Documentary to Correct Overlooked History

Port of Origins is intended to portray historical highlights of Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia.

Article

Selkirk Settlers: Origins of the Red River Colony

Dr. Harry Duckworth traces the colony from the original treaty between Lord Selkirk and the Hudson’s Bay Company to the treaty Selkirk signed with five local First Nations leaders.

Video