A $10,000 grant from the Alberta Culture and Tourism Francophone Secretariat is a much needed boost to further develop programs and events for the ever-growing Francophone and Francophile community in the Bow Valley.
The Canmore and Banff Region Association of Francophones in Alberta (ACFA) is the recipient of the grant and, while most of their work has been in Canmore thus far, the money will allow it to expand its operation to address the needs of the 4,200 French-as-a-first-language population from Bragg Creek to Lake Louise.
It will also continue to offer programs and services to primarily French-speaking transient or short-term residents, French language learners and French immersion students.
Genevičve Poulin, president of the ACFA, said the money will be used to focus on making programs more accessible throughout the Bow Valley and on building relationships with businesses and organizations in the community.
“We don’t yet have the manpower to be on our own, and frankly, I don’t think we’d want to be because partnership is the best solution,” she said.
“It will be us meeting with people, meeting with stakeholders, getting a feeling of what the community wants. For example, what does the hotel association want from us so we can better support them? What does the town need? Are there issues specific to Banff and Lake Louise that we could target and try to alleviate?”
Part of the ACFA upgrade is a new and improved website which offers a virtual bulletin board for referrals and connection building within the Bow Valley Francophone community.
“If somebody needs a ride, or needs an apartment, or has a room to rent, or if they want services for their kids or specialists – those are the questions people can ask and we’re hoping that providers will post their resources there as well,” said Poulin.
The site can help newcomers find jobs by promoting bilingual employment opportunities, as well as refer them to a variety of services and supports including legal assistance and lodging.
ACFA members can use the new site to search out programs and events in their area, which in the past have included everything from movie nights to caregiver information sessions, legal workshops, avalanche training, French and English language courses and yoga, cooking, music and sewing classes.
Many events are free or offered at a discount to ACFA members, and cater to all ages.
Poulin said they rely almost exclusively on volunteers to run their classes and events.
“The way we try to set up our programming is by using our skillsets. Who in the (Bow) Valley can offer something interesting? So people were coming to us and saying, ‘Well, I can do this,’ or, ‘I can do that’.”
The AFCA has three major events coming up this fall: a day trip to Calgary to watch the Stampeders take on the Montreal Alouettes on Sept. 29; the Creators Ball on Sept. 30, a costumed event featuring circus performers and live art and a music series called Coup de Coeur, presenting Francophone musician Damien Robitaille at Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon in Banff on Nov. 14.
“We are open to anyone, and I would say even for events that are just for members, if people want to come and they don’t have the money for a membership or they don’t know yet if they want to be a member, just come. We want people to take part in our culture and we want people to positively share,” said Poulin.
“You don’t need to have French as a first language, just come and experience what French culture is. And if you’re Francophone and you’ve shied away from the community for some time, feel free to come back. We would be happy to welcome you.”
More information on memberships and volunteer opportunities can be found online at www.acfacanmorebanff.com.
