Archive photo of Dr. S.F. Monestime in Mattawa
Many dignitaries, including the Haitian ambassador, will be in Mattawa on Monday to unveil a special photo exhibit at the municipal office in honour of Dr. Saint Firmin Monestime.
Fifty years ago he made history becoming Canada’s first elected black mayor.
They will also be announcing a new University of Ottawa scholarship in his honour. The purse will total $100,000 and will be given over the next 20 years to Mattawa students that pursue a study in medicine or health sciences.
The exhibit will feature photos spanning thirty years of Monestime's life and admission is free to the public.
“Our goal is to help bring greater attention to the life and accomplishments of Dr. Monestime through this exhibit" said Jennyne Mayard, Director of FKZO, a Toronto based organization promoting French‐Caribbean culture.
Dr. Monestime was born in Haiti in 1909, where he studied and practiced medicine for a number of years. He immigrated to Canada in 1945 and began the long process of gaining a Canadian medical license. He became the first Haitian national to practice medicine in Ontario.
While on a trip to Timmins in 1951, Monestime stopped in Mattawa for lunch and was persuaded by residents to remain in the community to set up a medical practice. Monestime settled in Mattawa and eventually became involved in municipal politics as a councillor and later as Mayor.
The Mattawa council chambers and Main Street were renamed in Dr. Monestime's honour in 2010.
