Americans don’t think of Canada as a source of potential terrorists—speaking a foreign tongue, serving a foreign religion, and invading their country. But when nearly a million French-Canadians crossed the border between 1840 and 1930, many seeking work in New England’s burgeoning textile industry, elements in the public sector, press, clergy, and academia cast them […]
Many years ago some people decided that the St.Pierre’s, Dupuis’, Morneau’s, and Pelletier’s shouldn’t speak French anymore. They decided it wasn’t useful, it wasn’t pretty… They declared it was the linguistic stamp of the undereducated and it was a verbal confirmation that in the years past there has been a lot of catholicism, even more […]
Join us for a special session, co-hosted by the UMaine Alumni Association and Franco American Programs, which celebrates the release of First Franco: Albert Beliveau in Law, Politics, and Love, a biography of Maine’s first Franco American Supreme Court Justice. The webinar will feature excerpts from the book shared by author Douglas Rooks, remarks by […]
We have at least 60 who are ancestors, including Elisabeth Aubert who married French immigrant Aubin Lambert Champagne. We would like to focus on their vital contribution to French-Canadian colonization along with a recognition of the dispossession of Native Americans of their lands. Register in advance for this meeting: https://maine.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIodu6opzopHNSvPt-e4CQ87mG29cRRMLuT After registering, you will receive […]
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,” […]
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 […]
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 […]
. 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
