Local Franco-Ontarians celebrate their heritage

The raising of the Franco-Ontarian Flag on Monday elicited a loud cheer among students and staff from schools within the Conseil scolaire catholique Providence as they celebrated their French heritage.

A large crowd gathered in front of the John D. Bradley Convention Center as part of Franco-Ontario flag day where there was dancing and singing.

Jessica Sylvestre, cultural co-ordinator for the Catholic French school board, said it the 405th anniversary of francophones settling in Ontario.

She added the Franco-Ontarian Flag was first raised in Sudbury on Sept. 25, 1975.

Sylvestre said it is not only their flag day “but kind of our pride day of being bilingual in Ontario.”

While the language keeps the French heritage alive, she said there is a culture that comes with being Franco-Ontarian.

“For these kids, they are part of a group that spans across the province and it gives them a sense of belonging,” Sylvestre said.

Numerous children attend local French Catholic schools from families who don’t speak the language or only part of the family is French.

Maddy Moor, 15, a Grade 10 student at Catholic Secondary School of Pain Court, said her mom’s side of the family is French and her dad’s side is English.

She said her dad “doesn’t understand a word of French.”

Moor enjoys celebrating Franco-Ontarian Flag Day

“I think being French is a big part of me and my family,” she said. “I’m proud to celebrate it.”

Moor being bilingual has its benefits.

“I know two languages, so it can help with me job opportunities,” she said. “It’s something cool to be.”

Some of her English friends are impressed she can speak French.

“My boyfriend always says, ‘I wish I knew French like you do,’” Moor said.

Michelle Vincent, 13, a Grade 8 pupil at Ecole St-Philippe in Grande Pointe, is the only person who speaks French in her family.

She joked, “My dad thinks he can speak French.”

Vincent loves being immersed in the local French culture.

“I love having the chance to speak two different languages,” she said. “I love the community, people are always really nice.”

She’s been to Quebec and enjoys being able to understand what people are saying.

Sylvestre said the French Catholic school board always is happy to welcome people who want to add a second language to their family.

While some families have lost a generation of heritage, she said, “We’re trying to bring it back and make sure it stays alive, and that’s what happens when our English parents put their kids in our schools.”