Rain could not dampen the 50th anniversary celebrations as Franco-Ontarian Day moved indoors to the Robert Hartley Sports Complex in Hawkesbury on Thursday, September 25.
Organizers were quick to move the event from the Monument de la Francophonie on Île du Chenail once it became apparent the weather was not going to cooperate.
Ontario is home to the largest Francophone community outside of Québec, with more than 650,000 residents. In Hawkesbury, French is dominant as 72.4 per cent of residents reported French as their mother tongue, according to the 2021 Census.
First raised on September 25, 1975, at the University of Sudbury, the Franco-Ontarian flag was created by student Michel Dupuis and Professor Gaétan Gervais to symbolize both the French language and Ontario heritage. It has since become a widely recognized emblem of Francophone pride and culture. In 2001, the Ontario legislature adopted it as the official flag of the Franco-Ontarian community. In 2021, the legislature adopted the flag as an official emblem of the Province of Ontario.
Organizers from L’Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario de Prescott et Russell explained to local students and guests that, every year, the raising of the Franco-Ontarian flag reminds people of their heritage and unique culture: “and every year, we are excited and proud to do so.”
Hawkesbury Mayor Robert Lefebvre encouraged the crowd to cheer and wave their Franco-Ontarian flags before saying, “We gather every year to celebrate and remember our cultural roots. This year is even more special: we celebrate the 50th year of the green and white flag that continues to bring us together.”
“We are the Francophonie. We are proud to share this heritage,” Lefebvre continued.
Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell Stéphane Sarrazin said, “We take a moment each year to celebrate Franco-Ontarian Day. This is our meaningful moment of pride and connection, shared with everyone to showcase our collective language, culture, and traditions.”
Instead of a traditional flag-raising ceremony, students paraded a large Franco-Ontarian flag around the interior of the sports complex, filling it with cheers and song.
Celebrations of Franco-Ontarian Day and the 50th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag were also held in other communities across the region.
Photos by Philip Oddi:
