Franco American Programs

Please join us for this year's Rassemblement! Lisa and I are delighted to invite you to our annual gathering.  We both hope that you will join us. We will post […]

Hélène Choquette will be in Orono on February 29, 2024 for a screening of her film, "A Story about the Taste of Language." The film is in French with English subtitles about the evolution of French in Quebec. A discussion with the director in English will follow the film.  We are also planning a light […]

In April 2023, Megan St. Marie and her father, Raymond Lambert, took a dream-come-true trip to France to visit places where their ancestors lived before the first of them emigrated to French Canada in the 17th and 18th centuries. Megan and Ray are delighted to share some their adventures in an online presentation hosted by […]

4pm: Talk and concert (HYBRID) by Robert Sylvain: http://robertsylvain.com/ As the keeper of songs in his generation, Robert inherited his Mémère’s cherished notebook of old Acadian ballads, which he has painstakingly researched for their historical sources, found the original melodies, translated and arranged the songs to present to new audiences as proof that Acadian culture […]

Traditionally, the Franco American Center has hosted a three-day Rassemblement (Gathering) for writers, artists and creative thinkers in the month of April. I am writing to you today because I believe that this year’s opening event may be of interest to you. On Friday April 21, at 3:30 p.m. at the Franco American Centre on […]

We have lots of fun events planned for our yearly gathering -- we hope you join us! All times in Eastern Standard Time. Zoom links and other information will be provided to registered attendees in advance of the event. Friday, April 21, 2023 3:30pm: Talk in English (HYBRID) by Pierre Lavoie, author of MILLE APRÈS […]

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 […]

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 […]

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.

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

. 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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,” […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Susan Pinette, Douglas Rooks and Severin Beliveau will be joining Jennifer Rooks on Maine Calling to discuss The First Franco. The book is published by Franco American Programs in association with the University of Maine Press. https://www.mainepublic.org/show/maine-calling https://umaine.edu/umpress/recently-published/first-franco-albert-beliveau-in-law-politics-and-love/

UMaine student Daniel Moreau describes his journey from inspiration to development of a ten-part video series on New England Mill Cities called Dawson.  Spanning nearly 500 years and partly taking inspiration from his hometown of Lewiston, ME, he takes a look at the themes that all these mill cities have had in common, and still […]

When: Apr 6, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this meeting: https://maine.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqdeyorTIrH9SwDBmvEYHIm5JSaiUpSzcc After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.  

The Franco American Portal Project is a five-university collaboration to build an online portal to Franco American archival collections. Our project addresses the need for online access to Franco American cultural history by: locating and identifying archival materials that concern French-Canadian, Québécois(e), and Acadian diaspora communities in the US Northeast–wherever these materials have been collected […]

While scholars have analyzed the phenomenal growth of the credit union movement in the United States, they have devoted little attention to the Québec origins of credit unions and, in particular, no one has examined in any comprehensive way Alphonse Desjardins’s fundamental role in assisting Franco-American and other groups in developing their credit institutions in […]

When: Feb 25, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this meeting: https://maine.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtdu2upjspGtDcPwLfcQNYQOFgcaXx34cY After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

When: Feb 16, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this meeting: https://maine.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZApdeCprD8rHtAWOvFM3udfreF7w_TP0YEt After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

  You are invited to a Zoom meeting. When: Jan 27, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this meeting: https://maine.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIlf-2upzkoE9H4Dv3L7KaQdI3N0JDHF5C9 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

  You are invited to a Zoom meeting. When: Jan 21, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this meeting: https://maine.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArcu2spzItG9YYAB8PKsRMtWXIP7IBoPdG After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

In search of Acadian settlements in Beaubassin Life-long journey completed: Historian Jason Theriot walks among his Theriot and Bourgeois ancestors in their last known village in Acadia.     Register in advance for this meeting: https://maine.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vdu6qqjovHtUSv2HZNWuhWOqkavwWgoVy After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Hi there, Lisa Michaud is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Book Club: Share your favorite Franco related books for discussion: Hosted by Abby Paige Time: Nov 19, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/81314703056?pwd=NWwrdE9ncm9VMVpMbWdsSDRIVkg2UT09 Password: 381926 Or Telephone: US: +1 312 626 […]

Rhea Côté Robbins, Susan Poulin, Ellen LaFleche, and Kristin Langellier, Ph.D. will present their views on life changing events and choices they made for their future selves as Franco-American women/girls. The focus of this panel ison the future of the situation Femme Franco-Américaine and how modern women define their lives by their conscious choice of […]

  Topic: Student Round Table Discussion: Facilitated by Meghan Murphy and Daniel Moreau Time: Nov 12, 2020 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/81148900575?pwd=cTJUdU8xN3AwekdpdmIvYnNQcHpkUT09 Password: 563308 Or Telephone: US: +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 346 […]

Possible topics of discussion, en français: ·        Des mémoires du siège d’en arrière (voyages avec la famille) ·        Le cousin/la cousine qui me tombait le plus sur les nerfs ·        Près de la rivière ·        La cuisine de ma tante – la même chose que chez nous mais pas tout à fait. ·        Mon père […]

  Topic: Franco-American Center - John Tousignant Time: Nov 4, 2020 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/97945221746?pwd=YVd1N1U3S28zNCtyeUhHMjNIaGFEQT09 Password: 160761 Or Telephone: US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 408 638 0968 or +1 669 900 […]

It's a "trunk" filled with pedagogical tools to help teach the history and culture of Acadians and Franco Americans. Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/95684763811?pwd=cDBUQmV6dzJwVzNYbkZMK09hWTE3Zz09 Password: 401721 Or Telephone: US: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 408 […]

The French in Maine have long played an extremely important role in the politics of the Pine Tree State. In this election year, we are hosting a panel presentation with three prominent voices from the Franco community that aims to highlight the relevance of Franco Americans in Maine politics and voting: Severin Beliveau will speak about the […]

  Topic: In search of Acadian settlements in Beaubassin Life-long journey completed: Historian Jason Theriot walks among his Theriot and Bourgeois ancestors in their last known village in Acadia. Time: […]

Possible topics of discussion, en français: ·        Des mémoires du siège d’en arrière (voyages avec la famille) ·        Le cousin/la cousine qui me tombait le plus sur les nerfs ·        […]

Mill Town is an investigative memoir, where I examine the past, science, laws, regulations, government and corporate malfeasance, and my family tree to illuminate the rise and collapse of the […]

Susan Poulin will be reading from her Maine humor books, Finding Your Inner Moose: Ida LeClair’s Guide to Livin’ the Good Lifeand The Sweet Life: Ida LeClair's Guide to Love […]

  Topic: Around the Kitchen Table with Susan Poulin & Maureen Perry: Family Heirlooms. What do we do with them? Time: Jun 11, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and […]

  Topic: Lise Pelletier: Acadian Archives University of Maine at Fort Kent Time: May 26, 2020 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or […]

  Topic: Writers Round Table Facilitated by Susan Poulin: How does my Franco-American identity show up in my work and my work ethic? Time: May 21, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/91099211422?pwd=bE01VzlHNTRhNjhqcDBIdFVvbktlUT09 Password: 650957 Or Telephone: US: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 […]

  Topic: Patrick Lacroix: "Right or Privileges? Franco-American Religious Battles, 1884-1914." Time: May 18, 2020 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/96651250958?pwd=YjBuWUdmN2hSU0I0UWcwNS9KbC90dz09 Password: 631586 Or Telephone: US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 408 638 0968 […]

Hi there, lisam@maine.edu is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Kitchen Table Conversation: Franco-Americans Sheltering in Place: What are you doing during the global pandemic? Faciliated by Susan Poulin Time: May 14, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/95799436908?pwd=Z0tkVjR3THdBcDVBNXNwaytGMkh5dz09 Password: 207769 Or Telephone: US: +1 […]

Topic: Norman Desmarais: France in the American Revolution:  the secret aid they provided before they declared war Time: May 12, 2020 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/93257875243?pwd=MWNDYTRqQXRFV2psajRXem96U2xqZz09 Password: 448397 Or Telephone: US: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 346 248 […]

  Topic: Anna Faherty, Doris Bonneau, Mary Rice-Defosse: Notre Pain Quotidien: Franco-American Entrepreneurs Sustaining Community Time: May 6, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/91592732432?pwd=eGxlYk92K0daaTJrTlcwWVFpbmZYQT09 Password: 927552 Or Telephone: US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 408 638 0968 or […]

  Topic: Robert Sylvain: Mémère's Notebook:  Acadian Folksongs from Maine Time: May 4, 2020 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/96698510329?pwd=ekI2cXNIcmpFQUwvUkRPK2tVYXF2QT09 Password: 761519 Or Telephone: US: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 346 248 7799 or […]

Topic: Around the Kitchen Table with Susan Poulin: Spring cleaning: What is the legacy of tidiness in your Franco-American family? Time: Apr 30, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/697131493 Or Telephone: US: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 346 […]

  Topic: James Myall: “Plague and Prejudice: Franco-Americans and Infectious Diseases in Maine” Time: Apr 28, 2020 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/118716310 Or Telephone: US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 301 715 8592 […]

Topic: Lucie LeBlanc Consentino: Acadian Genealogy Time: Apr 23, 2020 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/788393343 Or Telephone: US: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 408 638 0968 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 […]

Topic: Lucie LeBlanc Consentino: Acadian History Time: Apr 21, 2020 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/211577074 Or Telephone: US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 408 638 0968 or +1 […]

  Topic: Around the Kitchen Table with Greg Chabot: My Hometown and Me, Then & Now Time: Apr 17, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/99019495481?pwd=SXlnQUhvcFVMWHZvLzJRSXJXM1ZNdz09 Password: 969234 Or Telephone: US: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 900 6833 […]

Topic: James Myall:   “Making America Great Again...And Again, and Again: Maine Nativism 1854-1924” Time: Apr 16, 2020 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/691561505 Or Telephone:         US: +1 646 876 9923  or +1 312 626 6799  or +1 253 215 8782  or […]

Topic: Phillip Daigle, Author, The Acadian Time: Apr 14, 2020 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/417405626 Or Telephone:         US: +1 312 626 6799  or +1 646 876 9923  or +1 669 900 6833  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 301 715 […]

This is a small group gathering held on Zoom. These gatherings are for people to share time together, discussing the topic announced above.  This event will be moderated by Gregoire Chabot. Topic: Around the Kitchen Table:  My Home Town and me:  Then & Now Time: Apr 10, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) […]

Hello/Bonjour! You are invited to attend an upcoming Virtual presentation by David Vermette Topic: David Vermette:   “Couldn’t Have Done It Without Us: How Franco-Americans Saved the U.S. Economy.” Time: Apr 9, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/921480826 Or Telephone:         US: […]

This is a small group gathering held on Zoom. These gatherings are for people to share time together, discussing the topic announced above.  This event will be moderated by Susan Poulin. Topic: Around the Kitchen Table:   Family:  Health, Healing & Illness, then & now Time: Apr 7, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and […]

Hello/Bonjour! You are invited to attend an upcoming Virtual presentation Franco American Suffragist Movement by Rhea Côté Robbins Thursday, April 2 at 10:00 a.m. Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/682070974 Or Telephone: US: +1 312 626 6799  or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592  or +1 346 248 7799 […]

This is a small group gathering held on Zoom. These gatherings are for people to share time together, discussing the topic announced above. Topic: "Around the Kitchen Table," French words my family used that I still don't understand. Time: Apr 1, 2020 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS […]

This is a small group gathering held on Zoom. These gatherings are for people to share time together, discussing the topic announced above. Time: Mar 30, 2020 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/712529122 Or Telephone:         US: +1 312 626 6799  or […]

Join Lisa for an informal get-together with the Franco American Centre community group. Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/629271541 Or Telephone: US: +1 646 876 9923  or […]

Come help spiffy up the Franco American Centre!  We'll be painting on Maine Day, please come and join us!  We'll have snacks and drinks too.

This panel will examine Franco American experience during and after World War I. Speakers Patrick Lacroix, “Arduous Ascent: Ethnic Transition in the Northeastern United States, 1914-1924” Mark Richard, “It is […]