Backgrounder:
Ontario's Francophonie: Then and Now
Travelling Exhibition To Be Displayed Throughout Ontario In Coming Months
April 19, 2007
The exhibition Ontario's Francophonie: Then and Now recognizes and celebrates the history of Ontario's Francophonie, and highlights its contribution to the province's development.
This project is an initiative of the Office of Francophone Affairs, and was developed in collaboration with the Vanier Museopark, which was responsible for the research and graphic design. The exhibition is made up of 22 free-standing panels; 11 in French and 11 in English.
Each panel represents a significant period of Franco-Ontarian history. The panels cover the following nine themes:
- The French in the Upper Great Lakes, 1610 – 1760
- The Canadiens, 1763 – 1867
- The French Canadians, 1867 – 1910
- The French Canadians of Ontario, 1910 – 1960
- Franco-Ontarians on the Move!, 1960 – 1985
- The French Language Services Act, 1986
- Our Rightful Place!, 1986 – 1989
- Ontarois and Ontaroises, 1990 – 1999
- Ontario's Francophonie, 2000 – 2006
A bilingual poster and a brochure, available in French and in English, are also available. People can download them at www.ofa.gov.on.ca.
The Regroupement des organismes du patrimoine franco-ontarien, in collaboration with the Office of Francophone Affairs, will oversee the circulation of the exhibition throughout the province. Two series of panels have been produced to allow for greater dissemination.
Over the next few months, the exhibition will be on display at several institutions and events across Ontario, including:
| Event | Location | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Franco-Ontarian Games École secondaire publique Louis-Riel |
Ottawa | May 18-21, 2007 |
| Hearst Public Library, in cooperation with la régionale La Vieille Branche of the Société franco-ontarienne d'histoire et de généalogie (SFOHG) | Hearst | May 25-June 11, 2007 |
| Biennial congress of the Fédération des aînés et des retraités francophones de l'Ontario (FAFO) | St. Catharines | June 6-8, 2007 |
| Franco Générations presented by the Fédération des aînés et des retraités francophones de l'Ontario (FAFO) | Hamilton | June 10, 2007 |
| Conference of the Association des universités du troisième âge francophones en Amérique | Sudbury | June 13-15, 2007 |
| Reception of the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs as part of the Franco-Ontarian Festival | Ottawa | June 15, 2007 |
| Les arts, la culture et la ville Conference | Ottawa | June 21-23, 2007 |
| Franco-festival | Thunder Bay | June 22-23, 2007 |
| Centre francophone de Toronto, Galerie Céline-Allard | Toronto | August 2007 |
| Museum of the old L'Orignal prison | L'Orignal | August 2007 |
Organizations interested in welcoming the exhibition Ontario's Francophonie: Then and Now or in receiving the posters or brochures that reproduce the exhibition should contact the Office of Francophone Affairs or the Regroupement des organismes du patrimoine franco-ontarien.
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For additional information:
Charles Jean Sucsan
Office of Francophone Affairs
416 325-4968
Samy Khalid
Regroupement des organismes du patrimoine franco-ontarien (ROPFO)
613 567-6363
