Our cultural link update

Our cultural link … continues! Slowly but surely we are making our comeback! In 2022, we co-hosted trilingual art workshops, coordinated events at regional libraries, and even a Coffeehouse … and we are going to keep doing this as we go forth here in 2023.  AFFNO will continue to present special events in conjunction with our Mobile Library.  Our next planned events: a rendez-vous for Sandspit (and all islander) Francophones at the Sandspit Golf Course, Friday, September 15, starting at 5:30 p.m.! And following that, AFFNO will co-host a bilingual puppet show (The Three Little Pigs) at the Kitimat Public Library on Saturday, September 23, at 2 p.m.! AFFNO is currently looking at hosting more Coffeehouses in our local communities in the near future, so stay tuned!

Saint-Jean Baptiste Day

AFFNO hosted Saint-Jean Baptiste Day on June 25, at Heritage Park Museum, in Terrace. The day of the event was very hot, and the temperature likely affected the number of participants; that sad, approximately 100 people (including volunteers) participated. Skeena Skiffle provided the music, and there were various activities for children such as the scavenger hunt and tug-of-war. But the highlight, like every year, was the poutine eating contest! Tyler Harris, from Prince Rupert, was the winner, while Noah Grielens and Manuel Dancause (both from Terrace) finished 2nd and 3rd respectively. Thank you to our partners, such as le Patrimoine Canadien, B.C. Gaming, Northern Savings, Heritage Park Museum, Mr. Mike’s, and Aquaclear! We love you!

Franco-fun 2023

AFFNO celebrated its 10th annual Franco-fun Festival in Kitimat February 23 to 26. The highlight as always was the brunch that took place Sunday, February 26, at the Hirsch Creek Golf & Winter Club. More than 100 people participated, including volunteers and special guests. The festival began at Kildala Elementary on Thursday, February 23, with Will Stroet hosting workshops. On the Friday, his band performed live for the entire school. That same day, after lunch, Kildala finally was able to hold its Carnaval events including a visit by Bonhomme, and AFFNO served up toffee on the snow for the first time in three years! Friday evening, AFFNO, in partnership with Artsy-Fartsy Kitimat, hosted an art workshop at the Legion. On the Saturday, Stroet hosted a bilingual Early Years workshop at the Kitimat Library, and his band was present for the brunch on Sunday. Thank you to all of our partners, particularly Drax, Rio Tinto, Cook’s Jewellers, le Patrimoine Canadien, B.C. Gaming, the District of Kitimat, CFNR, Bounce Radio, and the rest of our partners. Thank you!

The great reopening: art workshops

The ‘re-opening for AFFNO, in 2023, featured? trilingual art workshops hosted by First Nations artists – in English, but with translation in French. Each artist also spoke a bit of their native tongue. The first workshop took place January 29 inside the Prince Rupert Library, featuring Tsimshian/Nisga’a artist Francess Jackson. The workshop was a “Cedar Rose” workshop. Then, on March 10, inside the Terrace Art Gallery, Nisga’a artist Kari Morgan presented a First Nations drawing workshop. Finally, Gitxsan artist Michelle Stoney (who can speak three languages, including French!) presented a paint workshop at Misty Rivers Coop, in New Hazelton, on March 17. For each workshop, more than 20 people participated, including volunteers (note that there was a limit of 20 people per workshop due to space, respect for the artists, etc.) That said, every workshop was free of charge. Thank you to le Patrimoine Canadian for supporting our ‘Re-opening’ and also B.C. Gaming!

Franco-fun ski day in Smithers

AFFNO had the chance to enjoy a great week in Smithers at the beginning of March. As usual, AFFNO hosted our Franco-fun Ski Day up on Hudson Bay Mountain, Saturday, March 4. We served up toffee on the snow, and Bonhomme swung by for a visit. Then, later on that afternoon, Will Stroet and his band performed live inside the Whisky Jack Lounge. Tons of fun! Prior to March 4, Stroet hosted workshops at la Grande Ourse School on March 1st, and then, at Muheim Elementary March 2-3. Thank you to Hudson Bay Mountain for the opportunity to hold our event!

Sugar Shack 2023

Finally, AFFNO had the chance to hold a proper Sugar Shack Festival, without restrictions, in the community of Prince Rupert January 26 to 29. The highlight, as usual, was the brunch that took place Saturday, January 28, inside the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre. More than 250 people participated, including volunteers and special guests. During the festival, AFFNO also hosted our Kick-off Social at Cowpuccino’s, an evening of theatre at the Tom Rooney, Open Mic at the Wheelhouse Brewery, and finally, a free art workshop, featuring First Nations artist Francess Jackson. Thank you to our partners, in particular Drax, D.P. World, AltaGas, le Patrimoine Canadien, B.C Gaming, the City of Prince Rupert, the District of Port Edward, CFNR, Bounce Radio, and the rest of our partners. And our course … OUR VOLUNTEERS! We love you!

Light up Kitimat

On Sunday, December 4, AFFNO participated during ‘Light up Kitimat’, with assistance from Kitimat Parents for French. Terrace/Kitimat Coordinator Manon Daigle was present with our kiosk, and AFFNO had the opportunity to chat with many francophones and francophiles. It was the first time the community of Kitimat had held this event since prior to the pandemic, and even on a day that was very cold, it was very busy! The highlight of the day was when the students from Kildala Elementary showed up and sang in French!

A day of healing

Before reconciliation can become a reality, the healing must begin. On Monday, September 27 at the Ksan Village in Hazelton, AFFNO, in partnership with the Francophone Youth Council of B.C. (CJFCB) invited the Hazelton Secondary School students (HSS) to participate and listen to stories from residential school survivors.

Gary Patsey, a survivor, was the main speaker at the event. Shanna McCarthy, a French Immersion Grade 11 student at HSS who is also Gitxsan, is one of 12 participants who were chosen by the CJFCB for the Connecte Project, and she worked hard throughout September to organise A Day of Healing for her school. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and concerns, only 100 people participated. AFFNO produced T-shirts in three official languages (English, French, and Gitxsanimaax) with the message “Every Child Matters” and Michelle Stoney, a Gitxsan artist but also a French Immersion grad, created the artwork for the event.