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June 2021
Jeanne Douillard Presents: Silent Presence – The French in New England
Jeanne Douillard believes the past is important. To her way of thinking, history shapes people, shapes cultures. History does matter. “We are the heirs of our ancestor’s journeys,” she says. “Their experiences matter. We carry them with us even if their story is lost to us.” Her talk, “Silent Presence - The French in New England,” brings a unique, fresh look to the story of “un petit people.” It is an approach which combines history and story, attempting in its essence,…
Find out more »October 2021
Young Franco Americans Summit
Our first YFAS this weekend! On October 16th from 9:30am to 4:00pm, we are having a conference with other young (which we defined our age range to be 18-35) Franco-Americans; the Young Franco-American's Summit. This event will be held both in-person, at the Franco-American Programs at the University of Maine, and over Zoom. We will be having presentations by fellow Francos, a keynote presentation by Ryan Fecteau, a free lunch, kahoot trivia (with a prize), and a musical performance. There…
Find out more »Paul Marion and Steven Riel-Poetry Reading
Join us virtually on October 27th, 7:00 p.m., as poets Paul Marion and Steven Riel read from their new books. Marion, editor of the early writings of Jack Kerouac and author of several books, will read from his recent publication Lockdown Letters & Other Poems. Riel, whose latest book of poetry is titled Edgemere, serves as Editor-in-Chief of Résonance, the Franco-American online literary journal at UMaine. When: Oct 27, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for…
Find out more »November 2021
Join us in celebration of Greg Chabot’s Life and Work
. We will be honoring Greg during a virtual event on November 5 from 6:30-7:30. We invite you all to join us and his family to spend 5 minutes talking about what Greg's work has meant to you and your work. Please share this and help us spread the word! Register in advance for this meeting: https://maine.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrcOmorzosHtGXJQcUPQXhEk6dgi6FBZBw After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Find out more »January 2022
“The Franco-American Political Agenda and the Challenge of Ethnic Cohesion.” by Patrick Lacroix
From the early years of Franco-Americans' political involvement, community leaders dreamed of creating a monolithic voting bloc that could sway elections for either party. Those hopes were frequently disappointed. This presentation explores the issues and interests that fractured the Franco electorate and undermined ethnic cohesion. As we will see, splits within the community can be interpreted as evidence of political maturation; in some locations, those divisions may actually have enhanced Franco-American influence. When: Jan 12, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time…
Find out more »February 2022
Ray Lambert and Megan St. Marie present: Pain at the Root: Le Grand Dérangement and Our Family History
Although most of their ancestors came to the United States from Québec, father and daughter Raymond A. Lambert and Megan D. Lambert St. Marie also trace their family tree to Acadians who were impacted by Le Grand Dérangement. In this presentation, Ray and Megan will provide insights into the history of the expulsion of the Acadians by highlighting some of their ancestors’ and relatives’ stories, while also commenting on how learning this history has enriched and informed their lives today.…
Find out more »March 2022
Jack Kerouac at 100
Tribute to Jack Kerouac: 100 Years, Still Alive! Are you curious about Jack Kerouac’s francophone legacy and the French fact in the United States in the first half of the 20th century? The Tribute to Jack Kerouac: 100 Years, Still Alive! panel, organized in collaboration with the Quebec Delegation in Boston as part of the Mois de la Francophonie 2022, will be held on March 15, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. (EDT). Jack Kerouac is a significant figure among the American writers of the 20th century. Through his many writings, he…
Find out more »Around the Kitchen Table Discussion: Grand Ménage with Susan Poulin
When: Mar 23, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this meeting: https://maine.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwufuiqrD0oGtX5Fzim4gM86Uo7I6aRRDDs After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Find out more »April 2022
Rassemblement 2022
We at the Franco-American Centre at the University of Maine, Orono are excited to announce a new and innovative plan for our 2022 Rassemblement of Franco-American artists, writers, and other cultural workers. We originally planned a virtual gathering for this spring; perhaps you already registered for it. But with COVID case-numbers trending down and Zoom fatigue being felt by many, we have instead planned a unique hybrid format that we hope will provide space for the joy of reconnection wherever…
Find out more »May 2022
“Les Filles à Marier” or “marriageable girls” presented by Ray Lambert & Megan St. Marie
Today known as "Les Filles à Marier" or "marriageable girls," roughly 260 Frenchwomen arrived in Québec before 1763, predating the arrival of the better-known Filles du Roi. Drawing on Ray Lambert's extensive genealogy research, he and his daughter Megan St. Marie will share a bit about their ancestors who were among this early group of French settlers in North America.
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