Preserving our Veterans Legacy
Stories of the First World War often focus on the brutal conditions soldiers endured in the trenches of Europe. Rarely do they explore the impact of those far-off battlefields on the lives of Canadians back home.
While the this project was created to honor the local men and women who served during the Great War, its heart lies in sharing our regional history and ensuring it remains accessible to everyone.
Through this initiative, the stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience that once filled the pages of The Equity are being brought back to life—offering a contemporaneous look at what was happening right here in the Pontiac.
This project reflects a deep, collective commitment to both remembrance and education. By digging into the records held by the Pontiac Archives and contributions from local families, Pontiac at War shows residents and visitors alike how a global conflict reached into the daily lives of our small communities. The goal is simple: to build a genuine appreciation for the people whose hard work and endurance defined that era.
Beyond just saving old documents, the project acts as a bridge between languages, cultures, and generations. It draws our English and French-speaking communities together through a shared history—one built on the Pontiac’s specific role in world events. By recognizing these parallel experiences, we celebrate a “unity in diversity,” showing that looking back at our past can spark better dialogue and a stronger sense of regional pride today.
At its core, this is about making sure the voices of the past aren’t silenced by time. Pontiac at War turns historical memory into a living record that belongs to everyone in the county. It stands as a tribute to the power of a good story and the lasting impact of those who served and sacrificed for their neighbors and their country.
Dive into the Archives!
We’ve organized our content into “seasons,” each representing a year of the Great War. Click any of the buttons below to explore what life was like for the English and French residents of the Pontiac—both at home and overseas. You’ll find summaries from each year’s issues of The Equity, along with an AI-generated podcast that brings the stories to life.
1919
(Post War)
How do the English & French Communities of the Pontiac handle the War?
We are in search of photos or items from locals who served in the First World War. If you have material you would like to provide, please email jon@theequity.ca.
Do you have material to contribute?
We are in search of photos or items from locals who served in the First World War. If you have material you would like to provide, please email jon@theequity.ca.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
With 230 issues of The Equity as our primary sources, there were more than 3,000 pages of content to catalog and identify key items that shaped this project.
With the help of modern technology, we’ve used Artificial Intelligence to review each issue, provide lists of residents who served in the Great War, and write initial drafts for each of our “seasons” and “themes” we explore in this project. A human cross referenced and checked each piece of data, ensuring that it is as accurate as any human can determine.
We’ve also made use of AI to generate audio summaries of each “Season.” These summaries feature two participants who discuss what was in each issue of The Equity, and are a great starting point if you’re curious about the material.
Sources & Credits
The majority of the content within this section of our website comes from the pages of The Equity, the local newspaper based in the Pontiac that has been publishing since 1883.
Many of the photos and videos in the Pontiac at War section are in the public domain, and were made available by:
- Library and Archives Canada
- Canadian War Museum
