The Chapais Fire Tragedy

Jun 15

QUÉBEC, CANADA

New Year’s Eve, 1979. The rural mining town of Chapais was preparing to bring in 1980 in style with a fundraiser for 300 people. But just after midnight, the careless actions of one guest caused a fire that would leave the community forever changed.

Residential Schools resources & support:

Residential Schools by Historica Canada hosted by Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais
”Holding Space for Grief” Canadaland Episode #312 hosted by Ryan McMahon and Anna McKenzie
“7 Ways to support Indigenous people grieving in wake of the news of the 215 children” by Anna McKenzie
Where to donate to support survivors of residential schools in Macleans
Residential school survivors who need support can call the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.

Mental Health Resources:
In Canada And Mental Health Research Canada https://www.mhrc.ca/national-polling-covid
In United States
In Australia
In United Kingdom

Credits:
Research & Writing: Kristi Lee
Audio editing and production: We Talk of Dreams
Disclaimer voiced by the host of True
Theme Song: We Talk of Dreams

Music credits:
Theme song by We Talk of Dreams
Chris Zabriskie - Cylinder Two, Cylinder Five, I’m a man who will fight for your honour, There’s a special place for some people
Kai Engel - Cold War Echo, Mercy, Mist & Clouds, Nothing Bonus Track, Soli
Swelling - Day I, Day II
Sergey Chermisinov - Comets & Sparks, Our Future

Main information sources:

The Act of Forgetting: What happens when a small town tries to move on after a devastating fire? BY SCOTT SUTHERLAND in the NFPA journal, Published March 1, 2020 https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/NFPA-Journal/2020/March-April-2020/Features/Quebec-Fire

Fire Journal - September 1980 edition “48 Die in Quebec Social Club Fire” https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/NFPA-Journal/2020/March-April-2020/Quebec-1980-Report.ashx

https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1980/1/14/i-did-not-hear-the-others-scream

https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/history-through-our-eyes/history-through-our-eyes-jan-6-1980-funerals-in-chapais

https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2013/12/28/un-drame-collectif-encore-tabou

Thérèse Villeneuve’s thesis: La prise en charge sociale d’une catastrophe une analyse multidirnensiormelle. Chapais, vingt ans après. par Thérèse Villeneuve https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/80346805.pdf

Thérèse Villeneuve’s book (in French): https://www.renaud-bray.com/Livres_Produit.aspx?id=3215400&def=Vrais+visages+du+drame+de+Chapais+%3A+il+y+a+40+ans(Les)%2CVILLENEUVE%2C+TH%C3%89R%C3%88SE%2C9782897990404

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/tk-eml%C3%BAps-te-secw%C3%A9pemc-215-children-former-kamloops-indian-residential-school-1.6043778

https://www.newspapers.com/image/421798349/?terms=chapais&match=1

https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/regional/2019-12-31/le-drame-de-chapais-il-y-a-40-ans

https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2019/12/29/il-y-a-40-ans-un-incendie-tuait-48-personnes-1

https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2013/12/28/un-drame-collectif-encore-tabou

https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2019/12/29/il-y-a-40-ans-un-incendie-tuait-48-personnes-1

https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2013/12/28/un-drame-collectif-encore-tabou

https://www.newspapers.com/image/421798628

https://www.newspapers.com/image/421797494/?terms=chapais&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/421798349/?terms=chapais&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/421796753/?terms=chapais&match=1