Powwow Country: La Fete Fransaskoise, July 6-8, 2012 - Batoche, Saskatchewan

La Fete Fransaskoise, July 6-8, 2012
Batoche

Declaring 2012 as the “Year of Fransaskois”, which has set the stage for a year of events to celebrate and learn about the French community in Saskatchewan. The Métis Nation-Saskatchewan has partnered with the Assemblee Communitaire Fransaskoise to bring the July festivities to the site were Back to Batoche days occurs every year. To celebrate 2012, artists from Métis, First Nations and Fransaskois are gathering to have fun, celebrate their diversity and share their cultures through artistic expression.“This initiative is intended to increase intercultural understanding by opening artistic dialogue for the first time among these three constitutional minorities, thus strengthening the relationships among them,” says Institut Francais director Peter Dorrington. During the summer event, there will be activities for children, including water games, readings from the “Bouquinerie Gravel” and public/carnival entertainers. The weekend will also consist of many family activities, such as card games/horseshoe toss, visit to Batoche National Park, fitness break hosted by Inmotion, banquet, Fransaskois Idol music contest, community kiosk and a Sunday mass. There will also be evening entertainment for the adults with beer gardens that is located near the stage. La Fete Fransaskoise has been the largest gathering of Francophones in Saskatchewan. This tradition, which dates back 33 years, is sure to be a memorable event with a strong celebration of diversity for Francophone and Aboriginal communities in Saskatchewan.

Photo: courtesy www.fransaskois.com/info)