Next year will bring an exciting opportunity to discover more about Champlain through his own words. The Champlain Society — established in 1905 to increase Canadians’ access to their documentary heritage — will publish a new edition of Des Sauvages, Champlain’s account of his first voyage in 1603. Translated and annotated by Conrad Heidenreich and Janet Ritch, this book promises a definitive understanding of Champlain’s many contributions to what became Canada that were highlighted by Jeffrey Simpson’s column.

Michael Moir, president, The Champlain Society, Toronto