Canada Day was the perfect date for the special recognition event adjacent to the display of flags and the flower garden that greets those entering North Battleford from the south.
It was the dedication of a commemorative plaque and the raising of the Fransaskois flag presented to the Battlefords area francophone community by the Government of Saskatchewan.
On behalf of Provincial Secretary Wayne Elhard, Battleford's MLA Herb Cox said, "It's wonderful to acknowledge the social and cultural legacy of the Battlefords area francophones, who have enriched our community and our province. It is especially appropriate as we celebrate 100 years as a city and Canada's 146th birthday."
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.
MC Claude Desnoyers, director of the Centre Francophone des Battlefords, described the rectangular flag as having a gold background that represents the wheat fields of Saskatchewan, because agriculture was the prime occupation of the first Francophone settlers. The green cross represents the colour of the northern forests and the role of the Catholic Church in Fransaskois history and culture. The red fleur de lys symbolizes "la Francophonie," which is the international name for French-speaking people.
French-speaking voyageurs came to the Battlefords area more than 200 years ago, while francophone farmers settled in nearby Delmas and Cochin more than 100 years ago. Today, the area is home to a vibrant francophone community.
"We sincerely appreciate the province recognizing the contributions made by the Fransaskois community in the Battlefords area as we continue to all work together to make Saskatchewan an even better place," Centre Francophone des Battlefords president Martin Prince said.
He described the flag as a welcome to the community to all people, and especially to the newcomers to the community.
New French-speaking residents continue to arrive, representing not just the mother country of France, but of countries throughout the world.
"It's beautiful to see this diversity we didn't know before," said Prince.
Francoise Sigur-Cloutier, president of the Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise also referred to the francophone community's contribution to the linguistic diversity of Canada.
The ceremony concluded with the raising of the flag by students Joshua Fitzel and Louis Prince and the singing of O Canada, led by Clarence Briand, regional representative of the Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise.
The Fransaskois flag has been presented to Duck Lake, Ferland, St. Denis, Gravelbourg, Zenon Park, Regina, Saskatoon and Bellegarde as part of a province-wide recognition initiative.
