Fort Frances is honouring the history, culture, and contributions of the area’s French-speaking community.
The town has raised the Franco-Ontario flag to recognize Franco-Ontarian Day, which is this Friday, while Mayor Andrew Hallikas proclaimed this week as Franco-Ontario Week.
Hallikas says Francophones have brought a rich culture and heritage to the area.
“Over the centuries, in spite of challenges and obstacles, the Francophone community in northwestern Ontario has preserved its language, culture and identity,” says Hallikas.
“Schools, cultural centres, associations and events have been created to promote and support the French language and francophone traditions.”
He adds that Francophones have also made significant contributions to the region’s economy and social development.
“From the mining and forestry industry to agriculture and tourism, their hard work and dedication have shaped our region’s economy and diversity,” says Hallikas.
“Talented writers, renowned artists, successful entrepreneurs, and community leaders have all contributed to the vitality and cultural richness of this region.”
According to Statistics Canada, 660 people live in the Rainy River District who regularly speak French.
Literacy is the focus of new curriculums coming to the francophone education sector this fall.
Nine high schools and three elementary schools around the province will incorporate them this year.
That includes École Amirault and École Mathieu-Martin in Dieppe and Polyvalente Louis-J-Robichaud in Shediac.
They’ll be implemented in all kindergarten to Grade 2 and Grade 9 classes across the francophone sector by September 2028.
Premier Susan Holt said the curriculums put a stronger focus on reading and writing at important points in a student’s education.
“When we help students build these skills early, we are helping set them up for a brighter future,” Holt said in a statement.
The kindergarten-to-Grade 2 curriculum focuses on building strong foundations in reading, writing and oral language.
The Grade 9 curriculum builds on those foundations and develops the skills students need to succeed in high school and beyond.
“Literacy is fundamental to learning across all subject areas,” Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Claire Johnson said.
“These new curriculums will help ensure students develop the skills they need at critical points in their education.”
The curriculums were developed in collaboration with the francophone school districts, teaching staff and specialists to address the unique realities of New Brunswick’s francophone education sector.
Francophone nord-est district education council chair Ghislaine Foulem said she’s pleased the province is taking concrete steps to strengthen literacy.
“Literacy is central to students’ ability to make connections, understand the world around them, and thrive,” said Foulem, also the chair of the Conseil pour le développment de l’alphabétisme et des compétences des adultes du Nouveau-Brunswick.
“Investing in literacy from an early age lays the foundation for a strong and prosperous society by shaping competent, engaged adults who are able to contribute fully to civic life.”
The Fricot Franco Festival will be held from August 12 to 16 in downtown Dieppe.
The City of Dieppe created this community-building event to showcase Acadian culture, language and Acadian heritage through music, laughter and the arts.
The Fricot Franco Festival builds on Dieppe’s rich traditions while opening the door to new ways of experiencing and sharing La Francophonie.
“We’ve always known over the years to have one of the biggest August 15th celebrations. We kind of built on that. So we’ve got our August 15th celebration, but we also have more music that we’ll be adding throughout the week. We’re also adding a comedy night with local artists, and there’ll also be some circus acts on Sunday afternoon at Place 1604,” Director of Community Living Denis Leblanc told our newsroom.
Several acts to enjoy
Wednesday, August 12: Chris Belliveau and Jourdan Thibodeaux will perform at the Wednesday Show Thursday, August 13: Comedy show featuring Lynn Solange, Line Woods and Anabelle Hebert, hosted by Rose Beef Friday, August 14: Tina Gautreau, Radio Radio, Roland Gauvin, Tcheu Misère and Beauxmont will take place at Musiqu’ART Saturday, August 15: The official National Acadian Day show, produced by the SNA, at the Musiqu’ART venue Sunday, August 16: Vague de Cirque, Monsieur Crapeau and magician Rémi Boudreau will perform as part of family day.
“The Fricot Franco Festival is an opportunity to experience our culture fully over an extended period, to welcome artists from here and elsewhere, and to create lasting memories for our families and visitors,” Leblanc added.
The name Fricot Franco Festival hints at a food component. Leblanc explained they plan to work with local restaurants, but they’re still developing that concept, and it will be announced in May or June.
Thousands gather every year to celebrate
Leblanc added that their Quinze Août celebrations, combined with this festival, will offer proof that Acadians know how to party. “So our August 15th celebrations in the past years have had between 15,000 and 18,000, so we’re expecting the same for this year. August 15th is on a Saturday. So most people have that day off. So we’re expecting about that amount. Over the week, we’re expecting about another 5,000 to 10,000 people to participate in the other activities. It’ll be downtown. It’s accessible. Parking is plenty.”
While the festival has several musical acts from New Brunswick, there are also others. Leblanc explained that Acadians have strong links with Louisiana, so they have a couple from there, and from Quebec too. A full list of all of the acts can be found on the City of Dieppe website.
“Dieppe is a city that moves, sings and celebrates!” With the Fricot Franco Festival, we are taking a new step forward in our efforts to promote our culture. It’s an event that reflects who we are: festive, inclusive and proudly francophone. “I am convinced that this festival will become a must-attend event for the entire region,” said Mayor Yvon Lapierre.
Fricot Franco Festival PHOTO: CITY OF DIEPPE/SUBMITTED
Concerns raised in an annual report from the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages included that New Brunswick’s two languages are not equal.
Commissioner Shirley MacLean says current demographic trends are concerning and confirm that the vitality of the French language cannot be taken for granted.
“We must utilize the tools at our disposal to preserve and protect our minority official language.”
The concern comes from the 2011, 2016, and 2021 population censuses, which show a continued decline in the proportion of francophones in the province. The commissioner says this should raise concern for all New Brunswickers.
(Source: Stats Canada, Census of Population)(Sources: Stats Canada, Census of Population)
As of 2021, the French-speaking population within New Brunswick represents roughly 30 per cent of the province’s total population, according to Statistics Canada and the Census of Population.
MacLean says everyone in the province has a role to play in preserving the French language.
“For the government, this includes strengthening and improving the Official Languages Act, enhancing francophone immigration targets, enhancing educational capacity, increasing immersion programs, and increasing access to francophone daycare spaces,” said the commissioner.
Francophone New Brunswickers should continue to utilize the language at home, in the community, in schools, and in communication with government institutions. Those with second-language competency in French must use it and encourage others to do the same, according to MacLean.
“When (citizens) do not receive services in a language of our choice from an institution that is required provide them, it is important that these issues are raised with my office so that we can address them,” said MacLean.
MacLean added that her office is fortunate to see collaboration with various government institutions that recognize when there is a failure to respect New Brunswickers’ official language rights and strive to correct the situation.
In the commissioner’s previous annual reports, she called on Premier Susan Holt to adopt further recommendations contained in the 2021 Finn-McLaughlin report. MacLean is encouraged by the announcement that the standing committee on Official Languages of the Legislative Assembly will be reviewing the Finn-McLaughlin report and the Official Languages Act in 2026.
MacLean says progress towards true equality is strongly linked to political leadership and vision. She says leaders such as Louis J. Robichaud and Richard Hatfield had that vision.
“As commissioner, I will be making recommendations that concrete steps be taken which will preserve, protect, and enhance the official language minority in our province.”
A director from NOSM University has won a prestigious award for her contributions to the health of the Francophone community.
Danielle Barbeau-Rodrigue has been director of the Office of Francophone Affairs at NOSM since 2005, where she has helped shape Francophone health education in Northern Ontario for two decades.
At the annual general meeting of the Société Santé en français on Oct. 2, Barbeau-Rodrigue was awarded the national Une étoile montante award from the Société Santé en français, which is given to an individual whose actions “demonstrate promising leadership in his or her field as well as an exceptional commitment to the development of the health of Francophones.”
According to a release from NOSM University, Barbeau-Rodrigue has had a direct impact on the school’s success, helping train more than 200 Francophone physicians and ensuring that French-language health services are available across the region. She is also a tireless and energetic advocate for access to quality medical education in French.
“In the vast and often isolated region of Northern Ontario, Danielle Barbeau-Rodrigue’s name is inseparable from health training for Francophones, from Kenora to Hearst and all the way to Midland,” said Laïla Faivre, Manager of Equity and Inclusion at NOSM University in a statement.
“She has made a rare, authentic and profoundly transformative contribution to health care in Northern Ontario.”
