Francophone Experiences and Perspectives

Folder Notes: Various resources, including presentations made at summer institutes for teachers, to support the infusion of Francophone perspectives in social studies.


How have your experiences helped to shape your worldview? Claudette Roy tells stories of her parents and explains how their influence and example shaped the development of her own worldview. (Interview response by Claudette Roy, C.M., 2005)


What role do you believe multiple perspectives play in understanding, appreciating and respecting identity and diversity? Claudette Roy explains that multiple perspectives are critical to understanding ourselves as citizens. (Interview response by Claudette Roy, C.M., 2005)


What do the terms citizenship and nation mean to you? What do you believe are some of the multiple meanings that these terms have in the Canadian context? Claudette Roy speaks to understandings of citizenship, the concept of Francophones as one of the Founding Nations and the concept of nation from a Francophone perspective. (Interview response by Claudette Roy, C.M., 2005)


Could you share with Alberta teachers and students some of your childhood stories that reflect your connection to your communities and your identities while you were growing up? (Interview response by Claudette Roy, C.M., 2005)


As a Francophone in Alberta and as a citizen of Canada has your identity changed over the course of your life/career? Claudette Roy speaks to her identity as a Francophone and the importance of the establishment of Francophone schools in Alberta in 1984. (Interview response by Claudette Roy, C.M., 2005)


From your perspective, how are understandings of language, culture and identity important in building an appreciation of Francophone perspectives for all students and teachers? (Interview response by Claudette Roy, C.M., 2005)


Given your background as a Franco-Albertan, how do you respond to the Program Rationale and Philosophy from the new Social Studies Program of Studies? (Interview response by Claudette Roy, C.M., 2005)


What advice/suggestions would you give to Alberta teachers for incorporating Francophone perspectives into their teaching of the new social studies program? What would you highlight as critical to communicate or avoid conveying to students so as not to perpetuate stereotypes or misunderstandings? (Interview response by Claudette Roy, C.M., 2005)


Could you describe your civic participation as a Franco-Albertan? How did this participation lead to you receiving the Order of Canada? How has it impacted your continued involvement in provincial and national initiatives/organizations? (Interview response by Claudette Roy, C.M., 2005)


Could you provide some guidance for Alberta teachers in understanding the diversity of identities of Franco-Albertans, Francophones throughout Canada and members of the international Francophonie? (Interview response by Claudette Roy, C.M., 2005)


Claudette Roy discusses the opportunities and challenges offered by the social studies program of studies, specifically the inclusion of the Francophone perspective. Successful implementation of the program requires educators who are open and able to convey rich understandings of citizenship, identity, culture and perspective. An appreciation of multiple perspectives is important to the development of informed, critical citizens. (presentation by Claudette Roy, C.M. at the 2006 Alberta Education Social Studies Summer Institute)


Claudette Roy discusses the heterogeneous nature of citizenship and identity in Canada, focusing on the Francophone perspective. As a minority, the Franco-Albertan community reflects on multiple identities and visions of citizenship; maintains vigilance around official language rights; recognizes its members as increasingly diverse; affirms its place as a full, contributing member of the larger community; and accepts dissenting voices within the group. (presentation by Claudette Roy, C.M. at the 2006 Alberta Education Social Studies Summer Institute)


Claudette Roy speaks to 250 years of integral Francophone contributions in Alberta and the movement away from a single historical narrative, with acknowledgement of multiple perspectives. (interview response following presentation by Claudette Roy, C.M. at the 2006 Alberta Education Social Studies Summer Institute)


Claudette Roy emphasizes the value of appreciating multiple perspectives, both past and present, to understand identity, cohesion and citizenship. (interview response following presentation by Claudette Roy, C.M. at the 2006 Alberta Education Social Studies Summer Institute)


Dr. France Levasseur-Ouimet identifies historical and constitutional reasons for why an understanding of Canada and Alberta requires understanding of Francophone perspectives and experiences. She speaks to the program foundations and core concepts of citizenship and identity in the new program of studies. (presentation at the 2005 Alberta Education Social Studies Summer Institute)


Dr. France Levasseur-Ouimet speaks to Francophone perspectives, experiences as a minority group and Francophones' identity as a community. (presentation at the 2005 Alberta Education Social Studies Summer Institute)


Dr. France Levasseur-Ouimet speaks to the importance of inclusive ways of seeing and the need to make room for multiple perspectives including Aboriginal, Anglophone and Francophone in our stories and in the new program of studies. (presentation at the 2005 Alberta Education Social Studies Summer Institute)


Dr. France Levasseur-Ouimet discusses the importance of recording stories about personal and community history. Place names in Alberta are clues to our Francophone heritage and attest to the influence of the community on Alberta's development. (presentation by France Levasseur-Ouimet, Ph.D. at the 2007 Alberta Education Social Studies Summer Institute)


Dr. France Levasseur-Ouimet highlights early contributions of Francophones in Alberta. Eighteenth-century coureurs des bois and voyageurs explored the region by canoe and portage. The Hudson's Bay Company and The North West Company trading forts employed many Francophones. (presentation by France Levasseur-Ouimet, Ph.D. at the 2007 Alberta Education Social Studies Summer Institute)


Dr. France Levasseur-Ouimet speaks to the history, strength and significance of the relationship between the Catholic church and Francophones in Alberta. The first Catholic missionaries arrived in 1838. Oblate fathers and religious orders established missions and towns, building churches, schools and hospitals across the province. (presentation by France Levasseur-Ouimet, Ph.D. at the 2007 Alberta Education Social Studies Summer Institute)


Dr. France Levasseur-Ouimet identifies Franco-Albertan politicians who served or are serving in the federal and provincial governments. (presentation by France Levasseur-Ouimet, Ph.D. at the 2007 Alberta Education Social Studies Summer Institute)


Dr. France Levasseur-Ouimet discusses the long history and significance of Francophone theatre and music in Alberta. (presentation by France Levasseur-Ouimet, Ph.D. at the 2007 Alberta Education Social Studies Summer Institute)


Dr. France Levasseur-Ouimet reviews the history of Francophone associations in Alberta. Many began for political purposes but their mandates evolved to reflect community identities and needs, including those of Franco-Albertan women and youth. (presentation by France Levasseur-Ouimet, Ph.D. at the 2007 Alberta Education Social Studies Summer Institute)


Dr. France Levasseur-Ouimet discusses the need for Franco-Albertans to develop services to support their community. She traces the decades-long struggle to sustain a French language bookstore in Alberta as an example. Members of l’Association canadienne-française de l’Alberta (ACFA) were integral to the eventual success of Le Carrefour. (presentation by France Levasseur-Ouimet, Ph.D. at the 2007 Alberta Education Social Studies Summer Institute)


Dr. France Levasseur-Ouimet speaks to the importance of French language education to the preservation of Francophone culture in Alberta. English language instruction was required in public schools from 1892. The first Francophone public schools opened in Alberta in 1984. (presentation by France Levasseur-Ouimet, Ph.D. at the 2007 Alberta Education Social Studies Summer Institute)


Dr. France Levasseur-Ouimet emphasizes the importance of the Francophone story in Alberta and encourages audience members to record their personal and community histories. "Part of our wealth is knowing each other's story." (presentation by France Levasseur-Ouimet, Ph.D. at the 2007 Alberta Education Social Studies Summer Institute)


This resource provides a statistical profile of the Francophone community in Alberta. The profile includes information relating to history, geography, economics, demographics, linguistic vitality, diversity, and Franco-Albertan community organizations.


This resource consists of an illustrated map that provides information on the historical contribution of the Francophone community towards the development of the Province of Alberta. The map, which was created by L'Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta, lists a selection of Alberta towns, cities, lakes, and regions and describes the connection that these places have to Alberta's Francophone community. The document can be printed as a letter-sized page of the map or as four letter-sized pages that can be assembled to create a poster-sized map.


Keith Millions discusses the philosophy of the program of studies, specifically the incorporation of Francophone perspectives in the curriculum. (presentation at the 2006 Alberta Education Social Studies Summer Institute)


Dr. Marc Arnal, Dean of Campus Saint-Jean, University of Alberta, speaks to the importance of religion-based and post-secondary educational institutions to Francophone communities in western Canada. He discusses the psychological impacts of policies around French language education in public schools. The Official Languages Act in 1969 put the Francophonie in a new role—leaders promoting minority language rights, multiculturalism and respect for diversity nationally. (presentation by Marc Arnal, Ph.D. at the 2007 Alberta Education Social Studies Summer Institute)


This resource presents a statistical profile of Francophone and Acadian communities in Canada. The profile includes information relating to history, geography, economy, demographics, linguistic vitality, Francophone diversity, and Francophone community organizations.


As a Francophone Canadian in our military, has your perception of your identity as a Francophone and as a Canadian changed over the course of your career? (Interview response by Roméo Dallaire, O.C., 2005)


Given your background as a Canadian/Francophone/leader, how would you respond to the Program Rationale and Philosophy from the new Social Studies Program of Studies? (Interview response by Roméo Dallaire, O.C., 2005)


Could you share with our K to 12 teachers some of the stories and experiences that reflect the development of the program of studies over the last 5 years? (Interview response by Daniel Buteau, Shirley Douglas and Debbie Mineault, program managers, Alberta Education, 2005)


How have your different perspectives affected your participation in the development of the new program over the last few years? What do you believe will be some of the greatest benefits for students in learning the new program of studies? (Interview response by Daniel Buteau, Shirley Douglas and Debbie Mineault, program managers, Alberta Education, 2005)


Is there a Canadian perspective in the new program? (Interview response by Daniel Buteau, Shirley Douglas and Debbie Mineault, program managers, Alberta Education, 2005)


What are the most important differences between the current/previous social studies program and the new social studies program? Why did these changes occur and how will they benefit teaching and learning of social studies? (Interview response by Daniel Buteau, Shirley Douglas and Debbie Mineault, program managers, Alberta Education, 2005)