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Francophone Week celebrated

Community

Students from Sea to Sky corridor francophone schools gathered last Thursday at Spring Creek Community School in Whistler to celebrate International Francophone Week.

Parents, teachers and more than 120 students from Kindergarten to Grade 7 had Spring Creek gymnasium decorated with various flight-themed posters, including a Stellar's jay. Each student contributed a piece to the collective work of art.

"We are here to celebrate francophones throughout the world," said Michel Tardif, principal of L'École la Passerelle in Whistler.

"Like birds, through our travels francophones migrate and roost in different parts of the world. The posters help students explore who they are and who they are becoming."

Students from L'Ecole Les Aiglons in Squamish, L'École de la Vallée de Pemberton and L'École la Passerelle in Whistler participated in the event.

Students performed in various air bands whose music was solely dedicated to current francophone artists.

"Kids chose [francophone] music despite being inundated with anglo media," Tardif said. "Music is integral to language and culture."

Students also participated in various activities and work stations for the remainder of the day. Tardif said it is important for the children to get together to celebrate their culture.

"When you are a minority in a mostly anglophone environment, it is important to gather and rejoice in our culture and recognize the uniqueness that we have within ourselves," he said.

He said the celebration provided and opportunity for non-francophone parents to better understand the francophone culture and become involved in it as well.

"Students often speak English to their English-speaking friends on the playground, but at events like this they speak French and feel proud about speaking French," Tardif said.

Nicole Fizgerald - Whistler Question

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