ST. JOHN'S, July 9, 2008 - The stories of elderly Francophones from the west coast of Newfoundland will soon be brought to life through dance, mime, and music, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.
The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament (St. John's South-Mount Pearl), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Secretary of State (Asia - Pacific Gateway) (2010 Olympics) (Official Languages), today announced funding for the Association Régionale de la Côte ouest (ARCO). This is the organization representing Francophones on the west coast of the island of Newfoundland.
The ARCO will receive funding of $8,000 to develop an artistic presentation (Vive la danse) of the stories of elderly French Newfoundlanders living on the Port-au-Port Peninsula, the cradle of La Francophonie in Newfoundland and Labrador. In the initial phase of the project, four young people will learn the skills to conduct interviews with their elders. During the second phase, a professional artist will work with a class at École Sainte-Anne to interpret these stories through mime, dance, and music. The final artistic product will be presented through concerts in communities on the Port-au-Port Peninsula and on the website of the Francophone community of Newfoundland and Labrador at
www.francotnl.ca .
"The Government of Canada is committed to promoting the development of minority official-language communities," said Secretary of State Moore. "ARCO's project will not only provide young Francophones living in the western region of the province with memorable cultural experiences, it will help increase pride in their cultural heritage."
"Our Government is proud to support an organization such as ARCO, which carries out tremendous work in promoting and preserving the French language and culture of the west coast of the island," said Minister Hearn. "This project will support the development of this minority Francophone community, as well as help young people acquire valuable skills that will be useful to them for the rest of their lives."
"ARCO is very proud to have the chance to work with Louise Moyes, a multidisciplinary artist from Newfoundland and Labrador, who has at heart the residents and the culture of the Port-au-Port peninsula," said Jenny Fenwick, President of ARCO. "Louise has the talent and the experience necessary to capture the stories and music from here and transform them into movement and theatre. Vive la danse is an intergenerational project that all generations will benefit from. As President of the Association régionale de la côte ouest, I would, once again, like to thank Canadian Heritage for its support."
The Government of Canada has provided this funding through the Development of Official Language Communities Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to promote the development of Canada's minority-language Francophones and Anglophones and to help them to fully participate in all aspects of Canadian life.
Information: Katie Locke
Director of Communications and Parliamentary Affairs,
Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific Gateway) (2010 Olympics)
(Official Languages)
819 997-7788
Beth Ryan
Communications Advisor
Canadian Heritage, Newfoundland and Labrador
709 772-3076
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
1 866 569-6155
