The small house that the last resident, Chief Joseph Launière, occupied until his death in 1972.
Between its planks is written the survival of our people ... the Maliseet of Viger First Nation.
A place for discussions and negotiations, the maison Denis-Launière gave shelter to the last resident Maliseet of the Cacouna reserve, the Chief Joseph Launière who, along with his wife Mina, raised 4 children there. He died on August 24, 1972. Today, one can discover this house and the life of its occupants through everyday objects of the end of the 19th century. The dwelling also houses an aboriginal art boutique, Matuweskewin, which showcases the work of the artists and artisans of the Maliseet of Viger First Nation.
Since October 2012, the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communication has authorized Band Councils, as well as municipalities, to give legal status to a heritage property. The Maliseet of Viger First Nation is the first aboriginal community to exercise this right. The maison Denis-Launière is the last remnant of the historic presence of the Maliseet in the Bas-Saint-Laurent and symbolizes the survival of a people, a gathering place that fosters the promotion and dissemination of the history and culture of the Maliseet of Quebec. Identified as a heritage building by the Nation on July 25, 2013, the unveiling of the commemorative plaque took place on August 11, 2013 at 217, rue de la Grève, on the occasion of the 2013 edition of the annual event Deux Nations, Une Fête (Two Nations, One Celebration).
Sources:
Photo: Yvan Roy (house) and Jacques Michaud (Joseph Launière, last resident)
Info: Maison Denis-Launière pamphlet, MVFN