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Canada’s national anthem echoed through Jasper’s streets in French on Friday as the Franco-Albertan flag was raised to mark the start of Francophonie month.
March is the annual Mois de la francophonie albertaine (Alberta Francophonie Month). It celebrates the diversity and vibrancy the Francophonie brings to Alberta.
And on Friday, March 1, students from Jasper’s elementary and high schools gathered outside the French school to mark the special occasion.
Addressing the crowd in French, École Desrochers principle Marie-Claude Faucher said: “Thank you to everyone here today. We are here to celebrate diversity.”
She introduced Alan Fehr, Jasper National Park’s superintendent, and Jasper mayor Richard Ireland.
Fehr said: “It is my great pleasure to participate in this ceremony. It is wonderful to be here today at the French flag raising for Francophonie month.
"Jasper is one of 31 Francophone communities in Alberta. We often forget how blessed we are having a French school and contributing to the Francophonie in our back yard.”
As students and parents sang the national anthem in French, the Franco-Albertan flag was raised outside École Desrochers.
The flag, created in 1982 by French-speaking Alberta youth, is blue, white and rose.
Ireland said: “This establishes Jasper as a welcoming and inclusive community. We have a shared history and shared aspirations, values and beliefs: Kinship, inclusion and home. Your home, our home.
“Thank you for sharing and thank you for contributing to our home, Jasper.”
The ceremony ended with a traditional French dance.
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said Alberta is home to one of the largest, fastest-growing and most culturally diverse francophone populations in Canada.
She said: “For more than 200 years, French speakers have made significant cultural, social and economic contributions to our province. They continue to this day.
“All across the province, it is becoming easier to study, work, live and play in French. In the 25 years of francophone school governance in Alberta, we have grown from 10 schools to 42.
“I would like to honour French-speaking Albertans for their many contributions and for making Alberta more welcoming, caring and diverse. And I encourage everyone to explore the vibrancy, energy and diversity of the Francophonie in our province."
