Released on September 23, 2016
On September 23, 2016, the Government of Saskatchewan will present a Fransaskois flag to the Hamlet of St. Isidore de Bellevue and area to recognize their contribution to French language and culture.“It’s a privilege to present this area’s residents with this flag to honour their rich Francophone heritage,” Provincial Secretary Nadine Wilson said. “It is through their hard work and dedication that they have formed such a deep-rooted Fransaskois community, which helps all of Saskatchewan thrive.”
The Fransaskois flag was adopted as a provincial emblem in 2005 to recognize the status of French as one of Canada’s official languages and to acknowledge the heritage of Saskatchewan’s Francophones and their significant contributions to the province.
A commemorative plaque will also be unveiled in recognition of the St. Isidore de Bellevue, Domremy and St. Louis communities as locations where Francophone pioneers from Quebec first settled in 1882. One of the early settlers was Azarie Gareau who built his homestead in the Batoche region. Today, the communities, including surrounding farms are home to approximately 1,200 people. In St. Isidore de Bellevue alone, Francophones make up 95 per cent of the population.
The flag and plaque have been presented to the communities of Regina, Duck Lake, Ferland, St. Denis, Gravelbourg, Zenon Park, Saskatoon, North Battleford, Bellegarde, Ponteix, Prince Albert and Moose Jaw as part of a province-wide recognition initiative.
For more information about French-language services provided by the Government of Saskatchewan, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/bonjour.
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For more information, contact:
Larisa Tardif
Intergovernmental Affairs
Regina
Phone: 306-798-7045
Email: larisa.tardif@gov.sk.ca