War of 1812 - Interview Series

by Judi McWilliams

Sandra Shaul - Part One

The War of 1812 in Toronto
Plans are well under way for the War of 1812 Bi-centennial Celebrations. I have been on a quest to understand why “living history” and “re-enactments” are important to us today. Each and every time I interview different people, I learn something new. What I wasn’t expecting was a completely new perspective that Ms. Sandra Shaul, City of Toronto, Museum Administrator, Special Projects, shared with me. Ms. Shaul is also the Museum Administrator Special Projects Bicentennial War of 1812 Museums and Heritage Services City of Toronto Cultural Services. She has some insights and perspectives that are highly relevant, enlightening and informative. Sandra has a distinct message that is different from the other Regional areas of Bicentennial celebrations. The demographics of the Toronto area and region are not rural and have a very distinct audience from other areas. Sandra’s region is composed of about 2.6 million people, 50% born outside Canada, thus creating a vast diversity of multi-cultural and diverse ethnic backgrounds. Sandra tells me part of her challenge stems from the marketing question of WIFM (What’s in it for me?). What does the War of 1812 have to do with me? Ms. Shaul says the big answer is “we are a different country because of that War”. Sandra is constantly amazed in how much the War of 1812 is reflected in our lives today! Sandra quotes herself as “not a military bluff”, but she is surprised how much she has learnt. She says “if you understand the context of the War of 1812, and that it should never have happened, you will see how it has led to who we are today”. Because of the multi-cultural diversity in the Toronto region, Sandra tells me she was surprised by a question when asked, “do you think “the people” will want to be part of the Bicentennial Celebrations”, Sandra said, “you mean us, the people”! What Ms. Shaul tells me is that “Toronto wants to tell the stories of the War of 1812 and engage the all the people of this dynamic diversity to make them feel part of it!” What Sandra is looking for in Toronto “is balance of honoring the memory regardless of who fought in the War”? She wants to “focus on the social history of the time AND the 200 years since … who we are today and how we became here!” The City of Toronto was working on a slogan for the upcoming Bi-centennial celebrations, but Sandra’s goal was to try to fill the gap! Sandra believes, in part, that the big message to be conveyed, is to focus on the 200 years of peace.
(To be continued)