Editor’s note: Nov. 1-7 is National Francophone Immigration Week. Sudbury.com’s Communities beat reporter Jenny Lamothe has produced a series of stories to highlight the contributions of French-speaking immigrants to the Greater Sudbury area.
National Francophone Immigration Week, Nov. 1-7, is marked this year by three Cs.
Celebration, Continuation, and, unfortunately, Coronavirus.
But the organizations behind the support of Francophone newcomers to Sudbury have great reasons to celebrate – even if it is virtual. Additionally, they know the work must continue and that is the reason the themes for this year are diversity in the community, and a discussion of systemic racism.
National Francophone Immigration week, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, is an opportunity to share with Sudbury the achievements of the Francophone Immigration Support Network for Northern Ontario and organizations like the Centre de santé communautaire du Grand Sudbury, the two French school boards, Collège Boréal, as well as Sudbury cultural institutions like Carrefour francophone de Sudbury, Éditions Prise De Parole and Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario.
But it is also to share the stories, hardships and suggestions on how to welcome these newcomers – to watch just how a newcomer’s addition to the community, to the workforce, and to the diversity of cultures adds richness to the fabric of everyday life.
It is also an opportunity to ensure the continued success, especially economic success, of Sudbury, Ontario and Canada. As the population ages and the birth rates decrease, basic systems woven into Canadian society, like healthcare and pensions, are only maintained and kept stable by immigration.
Monique Beaudoin, co-ordinator of health promotion at the Centre de santé communautaire du Grand Sudbury, said National Francophone Immigration week offers an opportunity to highlight work that is taking place year round in Sudbury, but additionally, “to increase opportunities for dialogue, exchange, and transformational change to ensure Sudbury is a community where Francophone newcomers can thrive, raise their families, and contribute their skills, knowledge and expertise in an environment that is respectful and welcoming of diversity.”
This year’s events have also been boosted by Sudbury’s selection as a chosen community for the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative – a federal initiative to support newcomers to Canada – as one of 14 communities selected to receive $12.6 million (over three years) for projects to make Francophone newcomers feel welcome in their new community.
And their sense of belonging can mean a world of culture, diverse viewpoints and new ideas for Sudbury – at a time when the community could use all the help it can get.
National Francophone Immigration Week begins with a Mayoral Proclamation on Nov. 3 at 1 p.m. Beaudoin said it will be a chance to acknowledge the efforts of local organizations, but also the launch of new immigration projects.
“It will highlight the many years of work, by many organizations – in our community and beyond – who have made Francophone immigration a priority,” she said. “That hard work has led to the creation of a number of new projects and services, and of on-the-ground-resources to support newcomers in their settlement and integration in our community.”
It’s a big deal, and one they are proud to celebrate. With COVID-19 restrictions in place, of course.
The celebrations continue with an ode to the ways in which stories can convey emotion, as well as information and learning. To understand a culture – particularly when you come to a place such as Canada – it is often through the stories people tell, the ones that last through the years, that demonstrate the subtle nuances of language, of meaning and of history.
A Literary History walk will be hosted downtown on Friday Nov. 6 from 4-6 p.m., with Stéphane Gauthier, celebrating the impact of literary and historical figures who were pillars of the Francophone community.
“It will provide newcomers with an inkling into the extraordinary engagement of Francophones in building institutions, movements and artistic practices that continue to thrive and push boundaries far beyond Sudbury’s borders.”
This literary theme continues on Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. Well-known and award-winning Sudbury author Melchior Mbonimpa, who is originally from Burundi, will participate in a talk hosted by Éditions Prise De Parole and facilitated by Radio-Canada reporter Bienvenu Senga. The two will discuss the immigration experience through literature – which is often inspired by true, and sometimes traumatic events.
And these events can even be compounded by the trials of the immigration process. For this reason, Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. will see a talk hosted by Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario.
“The goal of the talk on social connection after a long journey through immigration is to support newcomers who are trying to integrate into the community,” she said. “It will be an opportunity to hear testimonies from others who have immigrated and are now well established, who will share their tools and strategies.”
On Nov. 5, from 12-2 p.m., there will be a talk on discrimination and mental health. Beaudoin said the organizations realized a need to have a dialogue about intersectionality as a way of increasing the community’s understanding of — and sensitivity to — the multiple barriers that newcomers of colour face in their integration into the community.
“It will look at some of the challenges faced by newcomers from an intersectional perspective,” said Beaudoin, “and give people from the host community greater awareness on these issues and provide a forum for discussing them, and for exploring possible solutions.”
Intersectionality (when already marginalized social ‘categorizations’ like race, class and gender overlap and create new and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage) and an approach built around it ensures that all of the issues facing newcomers are addressed as a holistic unit, rather than symptoms of different problems.
And this year, a necessary focus on racism.
“This year, National Francophone Immigration week is an opportunity to open a dialogue on the reality of systemic racism — which many immigrants suffer — and to learn about other cultures. In the wake of the brutal death of George Floyd, Brionna Taylor and others, the Federation of Francophone and Acadian communities felt it was important to foster a conversation about systemic racism and to address it in its various forms through the work that we do on the local level.”
And this local level is where every born or raised Sudburian can help. To welcome a newcomer to your community, you need only share your stories with them, and be curious about their stories.
“Offer to tell them stories about Sudbury,” said Beaudoin. If you can, offer a ride around town, or perhaps employment or shelter: “There are many ways to welcome a newcomer to your community: if you are an employer, offer them a job; if you are a landlord, offer them housing.”
If that is beyond your means, “ensure that they are not judged on the basis of the colour of their skin, or their different accent. Ensure that they are not discriminated against by police, the justice system, the medical system, schools – the workplace.”
Even simple conversations, and an attempt to understand – and impart – cultural traditions can make everyone feel like they belong.
“Learn to understand the cultural differences between us. Because if we think that newcomers are different, they think we are different, too! We need to take the time to get to know them.”
In essence, be curious. Hear their stories, and tell your own. You’ll hear of journeys and hopeful opportunities that will change your view of the world, your community, and certainly, your heart; you’ll be able to impart the tools and wisdom to help your new neighbour thrive in this community.
For more information and a full list of the events of National Francophone Immigration Week, visit the website.
Jenny Lamothe is a Local Journalism Reporter at Sudbury.com, covering issues in the Black, immigrant and Francophone communities. She is also a freelance writer and voice actor. Contact her through her website, JennyLamothe.com.
