City flag-raising celebrates Alberta Francophonie Month

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on March 4, 2023.

Herald photo by Ry Clarke Students from Ecole La Verendrye, Gilbert Peterson, LCI, and Agnes Davidson gather Friday at City Hall to watch the raising of the Franco-Albertan flag to celebrate March's celebration of Alberta Francophonie month.

The Association Canadienne-Française de l’Albert (ACFA) held its annual raising of the Franco-Albertan flag at City Hall this year, a first for the location, kicking off March’s celebration of Alberta Francophonie Month.

The event also celebrated the 41st anniversary of the Francophonie flag, and the sixth anniversary of its recognition as the first symbol of distinction under the Alberta Emblems Act, a symbol that represents unity between communities of their culture.

“Previous years we have been raising the flag at la Cité des Prairies which is the community centre that is attached to École La Vérendrye,” said Karine Daigle, president of ACFA Lethbridge. “This year we thought, why not do things bigger? We asked permission with City Hall, invited all the dignitaries, and it was a great success. The flag will be waving for one week in recognition for the Francophone month.”

Mayor Blaine Hyggen was accompanied by Shannon Phillips, NDP MLA of Lethbridge-West, and Nathan Neudorf, UCP MLA of Lethbridge-East, along with a large gathering of students from across the city.

“There were about 1,000 students from four different schools, there was the French school École La Vérendrye, Gilbert Paterson, LCI, as well as Agnes Davidson,” Daigle pointed out. “We are extremely proud that there were so many kids that came to celebrate the francophone flag-raising, which coincides with the start of the Francophone month, March, here in Alberta.”

Seeing support from government and community, the ACFA will host events during March to prompt awareness.

“Francophonie is not just École La Vérendrye here in Lethbridge. It includes all the immersion schools, which today there were about 800 of those kids that are Francophile. Francophile are people who speak French but are not of French heritage, but French is important to them. It is very dear for me, and very important that they came out today to give us their support. We are working hard at ACFA to bring lots of French activities to the community.”

Anyone wanting to get their Franco-fill of events can check out the ACFA’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ACFAlethbridge.ab/.

“Our flag is a symbol that allies our community together with our culture, our tradition, and our heritage,” Daigle said. “It is going to be waving in the Alberta skies for the whole month of Alberta across the province. We are proud to celebrate a Francophonie that is very inclusive, rich, and vibrant. A Francophonie that we can live daily across Alberta, and here in Lethbridge,” said Daigle.

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