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MARCH IS FRANCOPHONE MONTH ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome to Les Rendez-vous!
March signals the return of Les Rendez-vous de la francophonie! For 2021, Covid-19 has put limitations on how to celebrate, but culture does not stand idle. Many online events such as seminars, musical releases, films and comedy shows will celebrate this event despite the pandemic. Check out the events calendar for Saskatchewan at RVF. CA for more details. This year’s Rendez-vous de la Francophonie is seeking to showcase the Acadians.
Acadians represent the first permanent French settlers in what is today called Canada. We invite you to take time to rediscover this region and the Acadian people who share a rich past and who continue to shape our collective francophone identity. The Acadians have built a unique society, preserving a distinctive French accent, having developed a particularly active literary, theatrical, musical and culinary milieu. We invite you to discover the stories of
some of these Acadians who have made Saskatchewan their home. To m o r r o w, S a t u r d a y, March 20, will officially be International Day of la Francophonie, a worldwide event in commemoration of the nations that make up the International Organization of the Francophonie. We invite you to discover this organization, which in 2014 elected Canada’s past Governor General, Michaëlle Jean, as SecretaryGeneral, a position she held
until 2019. We look forward to the day when the health crisis will be behind us, and we will once again be able to assemble in large gatherings and celebrate all that brings us together. The Fransaskois community and all French language citizens in Saskatchewan look forward to coming together and celebrating as a community. We wish you a good Rendez-vous de la francophonie. -- Denis Simard
Denis Simard, president of the Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise. SUPPLIED
Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie! T H E F R A N S A S KO I S COMMUNITY
Saskatchewan’s francophone community is culturally and ethnically very diverse. Comprised of French speakers and Francophiles from various origins from throughout the Francophonie and around the World. Many are new to Saskatchewan, and others trace their Saskatchewan roots back many generations. Fransaskois designates those who identify with the francophone community, whether through birth, marriage, migration, immigration or by choice. The Fransaskois contribute to the vitality of the French language in Saskatchewan. The Fransaskois community by the numbers : 53 000 people in Saskatchewan speak French; 16 000 people in Saskatchewan have French as a first language; 120 000 people in Saskatchewan have French heritage; 50 per cent of French Speakers live in an urban environment; 33 per cent of French speakers living in Saskatchewan were born outside of Saskatchewan; 17 000 Kindergarten to grade 12 students are in Saskatchewan’s French immersion schools; S a s k at c h e w a n h a s 1 5 Fransaskois schools with a total enrolment of 2000 students. T H E F R A N S A S KO I S F L AG
This Flag is one of the many symbols of the province of Saskatchewan. The flag’s golden background symbolizes the provinces wheat fields. Most of the French-speaking pioneers operated mixed farms. The Green colour represents the forests. A cross symbolizes the missionaries encouraging settlement in the early 20th century. A fleurde-lis, graphically inspired by design on an early version of the Metis provisional government, represents the French language. We c a n o b s e r v e t h e Fransaskois Flag at franco-
phone schools, community centres, and several francophone communities where significant contributions by the francophone population have been made. More details www.bonjoursk.ca. M A RC H 2 0 M A R K S I N T E R NAT I O NA L DAY O F L A F R A N C O PH O N I E
This year, due to the health crisis, the International Organization of la Francophonie will exceptionally celebrate International Day of La Francophonie on March 19, in an online format broadcasted on Facebook from the organization’s head office Paris. The event will commemorate the resilience of francophone women. The French language has long been recognized as a symbol of culture and creativity, it has then been a vector for democracy and humanism. International Day of la Francophonie affirms the cultural and linguistic diversity that makes up the world and reaffirms the capacity of language and culture to unite peoples. The organization has a mandate to: Promote the French language and cultural and linguistic diversity; Promote peace, democracy and human rights; Support education, training, higher education and research; Develop economic cooperation for sustainable development.
L A F R A N C O PH O N I E BY T H E N U M B E R S
88 States and governments (54 members and 27 observer members) 300 million French language speakers in the World French is the 5th most-spoken language on the planet 48 per cent of the world’s French speakers live in Africa 80 million people taught in French around the World. Visit the IOF website at www.francophonie.org. This article was submitted by Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise for promotional purposes.
Fransaskois flags in front of Regina legislature. SUPPLIED
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MARCH IS FRANCOPHONE MONTH ADVERTISEMENT
Acadia: At the heart of Canada’s Francophone heritage Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie’s slogan this year, “ACADIA, at the heart of my country! One language, thousands of stories”, underlines Acadians’ contributions to Canada as well as recognizing their historical significance and dynamic culture. Throughout March, Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie celebrates the Acadian culture and the Maritimes’ Acadian regions. It is a perfect opportunity to speak with Acadians who are now residing in Saskatchewan and gain insight into how it is to be an Acadian living in Saskatchewan. B E I N G A N AC A D I A N
Acadians come to Saskatchewan from their native provinces in the Maritimes for an infinite number of reasons. Still, most commonly, they are here for employment, to satisfy a thirst for adventure or by having accompanied friends and then decided to stay, thus trading the sea breeze for the Prairie wind. Very quickly, we understand that there are different aspects of what it means
to be an Acadian. For Josée O’Blenis, who arrived in 2011, being an Acadian is defined by a feeling of uniqueness and pride. “As an Acadian, I am very proud of our ancestor’s legacy; I am here thanks to my ancestors. We have to put aside the fear of judgement, and even if my family does not speak a ‘perfect French’, there is a sense of uniqueness that I am proud of, and that cannot be taken away,” says O’Blenis. A similar sentiment is shared by Mariève Duguay, who moved from Moncton 20 years ago. “We have this feeling of pride, the pride of speaking our language with our accent, this feeling we bring it wherever we go. Acadia does not have borders. It follows you.” Isabelle Blanchard, a language instructor who arrived in Saskatchewan three and a half years ago, believes Acadians first identify through their history and cultural heritage. “I think our history and the epic tragedy of the deportation of Acadians is a unifying element for our identity. We know that the Acadians were
deported and that our ancestors fought to survive preserving the French language. We identify with this wave of Acadian culture, which starts with our accent, our colourful expressions, our jargon and of course the music, which is very, very important,” says Blanchard. With more than 3000 kms separating them from their native maritime provinces, Acadians in Saskatchewan find ways to express their attachment to their culture. They adapt to their new region while keeping Acadian gastronomy, symbols and traditions close to the heart. “For my part, I possess a decorative buoy in the Acadians’ colours, which is on my front door for most of the year, it is a symbol representing my roots and my grandfather, who was a fisherman,” explains O’Blenis. For Duguay, the Acadian flag is displayed as her front license plate, but she also takes the time to cook Acadian recipes. “Recently, I did la Chaudrée de palourdes in the tradition of my dad’s family,” she reports. National Acadian Day is
celebrated annually by most on August 15. “It is a very festive and important day back home. Since I’ve moved here, it has become a more personal event than a huge public gathering. Now, I mostly listen to Acadian music on that day,” explains Blanchard. BEING BOTH F R A N S A S KO I S A N D AC A D I A N
For most, it is easy to pair both identities. “Very few Acadians live in Saskatchewan,” explains O’Blenis, and even though being Acadian is still the main trait, they feel that both the Fransaskois and the Acadian communities are very similar in many ways. Duguay discovered Saskatchewan’s French community at her first La Fête Fransaskoise held in Willow Bunch. She could not help but notice how the Fransaskois and the Acadians share the same hospitality and friendliness values. “Also, we both like sharing a meal altogether,” she adds with a smile. Ja n i c e Mu r p h y, f r o m
Clockwise from top left: Isabelle Blanchard, Josée O’Blenis, Mariève Duguay, Janice Murphy.
Rivière-du-Portage, New Brunswick, arrived in Saskatchewan 23 years ago, shares this perception “That’s why I have stayed, I have never felt out of place here. We can find this feeling of belonging, and people taking care of each other. In my opinion, being Fransaskoise doesn’t conflict with my Acadian identity. Saskatchewan adopted me, and I brought my accent and my own francophone experience; both identities blend one into the another,” says Murphy. LES RENDEZ-VOUS DE L A F R A N C O PH O N I E C E L E B R AT E AC A D I A
This year Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie allows Canadians to learn more about Acadia. When asked about their feelings on highlighting Acadian culture, everyone is proud. For Murphy, it is a pleas-
This article was submitted by Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise for promotional purposes.
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ant surprise that results in a greater mutual understanding. “We have the historical and traditional heritage of Acadia, but our communities are active and always evolving as well. This visibility is a good thing. Acadia maintains its heritage while keeping up with the times. People will get a glimpse of the present day Acadia.” Duguay admits that she has met people that did not know anything about francophones in New Brunswick or Acadians in general. “This is a chance to be recognized and also to be better understood. Some people have no idea about our traditions or who we are, those that are aware can get a better understanding,” Duguay says. For more information on Acadia and the Acadians, visit the website of les Rendezvous de la Francophonie at www.rvf.ca.