The rescheduled Franco-Ontarian flag-raising ceremony and celebration drew a large crowd to honour Franco heritage in the region on Friday, October 4. Rain on September 25 prevented the event from happening that day. Schoolchildren from Hawkesbury paraded their way down and around Île du Chenail dressed in green and white, the two colours of the Franco-Ontarian flag.
The opening ceremony began in the morning at the Monument de la Francophonie, which the community is now celebrating ten years since its unveiling in November of 2014. The students’ youthful presence with flags in hand, reminded attendees of the importance of respecting and celebrating Francophone history in Ontario and keeping the spirit alive through tradition.
Live performances were lively and full of heart, often encouraging the gathered crowd to sing and dance with the organizers to Francophone music. The enthusiasm continued throughout the celebration including when the massive Franco-Ontarian flag on the island was raised.
Pride was further evident in the impassioned speeches given by local youth and Franco-Ontarian organizers of the region about the importance of commemorating such heritage and the sense of belonging many share as Franco-Ontarians.
Many dignitaries were present, including Hawkesbury Mayor Robert Lefebvre and Ontario Liberal candidate for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell Trevor Stewart, highlighting the significance of the commemorative occasion.
“Being Franco-Ontarian, people from this region know how important it is. It’s not just about language, it’s a culture, it’s a way of being. It’s 400 years of history. It unites us,” Stewart responded when asked about the importance of such events.
He continued, “I think it represents an openness to finding strength in diversity, finding strength in being together. We know that the Franco-Ontarian community, whatever challenge is in front of us, we’re going to win, we’re going to surmount it.”
The first time the Franco-Ontarian flag was raised was on September 25, 1975, at the University of Sudbury. It was designed and created by Michel Dupuis and Gaétan Gervais to symbolize the French language through the fleur-de-lys, Ontario through the trillium, summer with the colour green, and winter with the colour white.
Ontario hosts the largest Francophone community outside of Québec, with more than 622,000 Francophones in the province.
