Interview with Gilles Groleau (mp3)
Gilles Groleau, president of the ACF from 1999 to 2001, attributes the failure of the consortium to a political selling out.
(1720ko)
Interview with Gilles Groleau (mp3)
Gilles Groleau, former president of the ACF, doubts that the fransaskois community has the nessessary resources to support the structure proposed in the Renaud report.
(1232ko)
Interview with Gilles Groleau (mp3)
Listen to what Gilles Groleau has to say.
(975ko)
Interview with Gilles Groleau (mp3)
He explains that the Fête offered hidden talents the chance to showcase themselves.
(580ko)
Interview with Gilles Groleau (mp3)
He adds that it presented a wonderful occaision for exchange between professional artists from elsewhere.
(802ko)
Interview with Gilles Groleau (mp3)
Gilles Groleau describes that differentiated his group from others traditional musicians from Québec. The distinction was in the influences that gave a western flavor to their sound.
(1290ko)
Interview with Wilfrid Denis (mp3)
Wilfrid Denis, deputy of the ACF from 2000 to 2006, is responsible for cultural events at the time of the the creation of a permenant committee for the Fête in 2002. He underlines a source of tension between the different organizations: the question of financial responsibility.
(8389ko)
Interview with Wilfrid Denis (mp3)
Wilfrid Denis, former deputy of the ACF, talks about the suspicion of certain fransaskois organizations towards the ACF that didn't help discussions. He points out the importance of inter-exchange between fransaskois groups on account of their limited resources.
(1903ko)
Interview with Robert Therrien (mp3)
The fransaskois Robert Therrien does not understand the concept of creating a new structure for planning the Fête when the community already has an organisation who deals with the development and and planning of arts and cultural events.
(995ko)
Interview with Robert Therrien (mp3)
Robert Therrien believes that the end of the Fête can be blamed, among other things, on the lack of support for the CCF in the community.
(959ko)
Interview with Robert Therrien (mp3)
Robert Therrien is president of the COFF of Willow Bunch in 1994. He explains the role of the board of directors and compares it to the CCF.
(1451ko)
Interview with Robert Therrien (mp3)
It is a rare occaision when the Francophones of Saskatchewan can meet in a festive atmosphere, where traditional administrative meetings had no bearing.
(884ko)
Interview with Christie-Anne Blondeau (mp3)
This meeting of artists both local and from elsewhere created a hot spot for spreading word about fransaskois music.
(476ko)
Interview with Christie-Anne Blondeau (mp3)
The Fête doesn't just permit the spreading of local francophone artists, but also demonstrates to youth that it is possible to sing in french.
(945ko)
Interview with Christie-Anne Blondeau (mp3)
Christie-Anne Blondeau talks about how it touched her to be able to sing in front of her family at the Fête fransaskoise.
(657ko)
Interview with Christie-Anne Blondeau (mp3)
Fransaskois singer Christie-Anne Blondeau shares her memories of the Fête that illustrate the cross-generational nature of the festival.
(786ko)
Interview with Annette Campagne (mp3)
The Fête doesn't just permit the spreading of local francophone artists, but also demonstrates to youth that it is possible to sing in french.
(617ko)
Interview with Annette Campagne (mp3)
For two members of the illustrious Campagne family, Carmen and Annette, singing in front of the fransaskois public was a occaision for reconnection.
(1252ko)
Interview with Annette Campagne (mp3)
Annette Campagne evoques the freedom offered by the space of the prairies, the openness of the inhabitants and how it affects her creative endeavours.
(1969ko)
Interview with Carmen Campagne (mp3)
For two members of the illustrious Campagne family, Carmen and Annette, singing in front of the fransaskois public was a occaision for reconnection.
(1419ko)
Interview with Denis Rouleau (mp3)
The producer, Denis Rouleau, recalls the impact of his play that shines light on the controversial role of the church in the outcome of the Métis uprising of 1885.
(948ko)
Interview with Pierre L'Heritier (mp3)
Pierre L'Héritier, president of the CCF from 1997 to 2003, expresses the fear that they had that the essential spirit of the Fête would be lost if it fell into the hands of another organization.
(662ko)
Interview with Pierre L'Heritier (mp3)
Pierre L'Heritier, former president of the CCF.
(448ko)
Interview with Pierre L'Heritier (mp3)
When we ask Pierre L'Heritier about the Renaud report, he identifies one issue on which the CCF and ACF can not agree, the possiblity of a self-supporting Fête.
(1417ko)
Interview with Pierre L'Heritier (mp3)
When we ask Pierre L'Heritier about the Renaud report, he identifies one issue on which the CCF and ACF can not agree, the possiblity of a self-supporting Fête.
(806ko)
Interview with Jeannine Poulin-Denis (mp3)
Behind the party, adding to the pleasure of the meet, there was that of living without constraining ones francophone identity.
(619ko)
Interview with Denis Desgagnés (mp3)
Listen to the director fo the ACF, Denis Desgagnés.
(607ko)
Interview with Denis Desgagnés (mp3)
Denis Desgagnés, director of the ACF, believes that the recommended route of action outlined in the report favored the development of the Fête.
(1344ko)
Interview with Michel Vézina (mp3)
He presents his hypotheses to explain the flucuation in participation in the Fête from from year to another.
(3320ko)
Interview with Michel Vézina (mp3)
According to Michel Vézina, director of the CCF from 2002 to 2006, the lack of resources created emergency situations that rendered the cooperative efforts more difficult.
(986ko)
Interview with Michel Vézina (mp3)
Michel Vézina, director of the CCF from 2002 to 2006, explains why the protocol agreement was signed.
(1700ko)
Interview with Michel Vézina (mp3)
Michel Vézina also believew that the CCF could handle the Fête, provided they were better equipped than they are at the present.
(984ko)
Interview with Michel Vézina (mp3)
He identifies three blocks on the development of the Fête: the financial support provided by fransaskois organisations, the difficulty of managing the finances and the fundamental belief amongst donors that the Fête would one day be self-sufficient.
(3162ko)
Interview with Michel Lalonde (mp3)
Commentary from fransaskois artist Michel Lalonde.
(1973ko)
Interview with Michel Lalonde (mp3)
In the opinion of Michel Lalond, a member of the group
La raquette à claquettes , the Fête provided a strong leg up to fransaskois artist in an era when the radio stations no longer did.
(867ko)
Interview with Michel Lalonde (mp3)
Michel Lalonde tells a fondly remembered anecdote that reflects the warm atmosphere for which the Fête was known.
(917ko)
Interview with Michel Lalonde (mp3)
Michel Lalonde, Franco-Ontarian of origin, talks about the osmosis with the prairie lands that tinted his music.
(809ko)
Interview with Philippe Potié (mp3)
Philippe Potié of Zenon Park recalls the good impression of the francophone community the Fête made to the people of his region.
(2105ko)
Interview with Philippe Potié (mp3)
Philippe Potié, president of the board of directors of the Fête at Zenon Park in 2000, explains the schism between their committee and the CCF.
(1581ko)
Interview with Philippe Potié (mp3)
He adds that tha CCF has not completely withdrawn from the organisation.
(1533ko)
Interview with Annette Labelle (mp3)
Annette Labelle, director of the CCF from 1999 to 2001, explains the motivations that lead to the incorporation of the Fête.
(684ko)
Interview with Annette Labelle (mp3)
The corporation had only one message for the ACF: it was not their job to manage the Fête fransaskoise.
(1186ko)
Interview with Annette Labelle (mp3)
It is the opinion of Annette Labelle, director of the CCF from 1999 to 2001, that the failure of the consortium may reflect the fear of debate among fransaskoises organizations because of their vulnerability.
(964ko)
Interview with Annette Labelle (mp3)
Annette Labelle, former director of the CCF, believes that the youth with bring back the Fête.
(551ko)
Interview with Annette Labelle (mp3)
Annette Labelle seeks to understand the low turnout of the younger participants certain years.
(1186ko)
Interview with Léon Marchildon (mp3)
He recalls the work that went into the decorations for the Fête.
(744ko)
Interview with Léon Marchildon (mp3)
(708ko)
Interview with Hélène Marchildon (mp3)
Fransaskois Hélène Marchildon explains what drew people to Zenon Park.
(756ko)
Interview with Hélène Marchildon (mp3)
Hélène Marchildon of Zenon Park
(995ko)
Interview with Hélène Marchildon (mp3)
Hélène and Léon Marchildon were part of the COFF since the Fête was hosted by Zenon Park. They recall the multitude of jobs that waited for the volunteers.
(1155ko)
Interview with Hélène Marchildon (mp3)
Hélène Marchildon of Zenon Park questions the great expense of inviting artists from outside of Saskatchewan.
(1224ko)
Interview with Hélène Marchildon (mp3)
(783ko)
Interview with Robert Chabot (mp3)
Robert Chabot, coordinator of the Fête from 1989 to 1997, regrets that they killed the life of the party just at the moment when provincial partenerships were developing amongst local organisations, particularly when they had the potential to augment the impact of the event.
(3565ko)
Interview with Robert Chabot (mp3)
The hardest part was always getting finances for the festival, which was not stable from year to year.
(912ko)
Interview with Robert Chabot (mp3)
He recalls the complicated process of applying for grants.
(655ko)
Interview with Robert Chabot (mp3)
Innumerable tasks awaited the volunteers. Robert Chabot describes some.
(713ko)
Interview with Robert Chabot (mp3)
Numerous tasks awaited the volunteers whose numbers were long bolstered by the students of the french immersion program at the University of Saskatchewan.
(758ko)
Interview with Robert Chabot (mp3)
The coordinators often kept their fingers crossed in the hopes of having only nice weather, which was not always the case. Poor weather however, never ruined the good humor of the fransaskois.
(604ko)
Interview with Robert Chabot (mp3)
Robert Chabot is the coordinator of the Fête from 1989 to 1997. He talks about his work.
(1354ko)
Interview with Robert Chabot (mp3)
The coordinator Robert Chabot talks about his contribution.
(592ko)
Interview with Robert Chabot (mp3)
He was sorry for having to leave his role as coordinator when adolescents and young adults started regaining interest in the festival.
(931ko)
Interview with Robert Chabot (mp3)
Robert Chabot, coordinator for many years, talks to us.
(744ko)
Interview with Jean Liboiron (mp3)
Jean Liboiron, director of the CCF from 1986 to 1998, talks about fruitful partnerships established over the years as part of the Fête fransaskoise.
(2408ko)
Interview with Jean Liboiron (mp3)
Jean Liboiron presents his thoughts as to why the number of participants fluctuated from year to year.
(1519ko)
Interview with Jean Liboiron (mp3)
Jean Liboiron, directeur de la CCF de 1988 à 1998, commente les coupures de Patrimoine Canada qui ont poussé l'organisation a laisser tomber la gestion de la Fête.
(1227ko)
Interview with Jean Liboiron (mp3)
Jean Liboiron comments on the budget cuts that lead Heritage Canada to decide to drop funding for the Fête.
(1227ko)
Interview with Jean Liboiron (mp3)
He does not believe that grants should be proportionate to the number of fransaskois.
(585ko)
Interview with Jean Liboiron (mp3)
Jean Liboiron agrees that the formula proposed in the Renaud report risks destorying the community spirit that is central to the Fête.
(869ko)
Interview with Muriel Denis (mp3)
Fransaskoise Muriel Denis tells us about an outstanding tradition of the Fête.
(480ko)
Interview with Muriel Denis (mp3)
(573ko)
Interview with Laurier Gareau (mp3)
Laurier Gareau, who participated in
On s'garoche a Batoche , explains why he believes it is essential for young people of Saskatchewan to know their history and local culture.
(1593ko)
Interview with Laurier Gareau (mp3)
(1737ko)
Interview with Laurier Gareau (mp3)
Laurier Gareau explains that the withdrawl of the CCF was a form of protest against the cuts by Heritage Canada.
(1517ko)
Interview with Laurier Gareau (mp3)
Laurier Gareau describes how the the CCF was acused of abandonning the community of Bellegarde.
(1091ko)
Interview with Laurier Gareau (mp3)
Laurier Gareau, events coordinator at the CCF from 1992 to 2008, recalls the nearly insurmountable challenge of convincing numerous organizations to work together on a single project.
(366ko)
Interview with Laurier Gareau (mp3)
Laurier Gareau proposes instead to provide resources to organizations that already exist. This does not favor the plan for urban centers.
(2098ko)
Interview with Laurier Gareau (mp3)
Laurier Gareau explains that performers invited from Quebec were greatly appreciated though they weren't the main draw for many festivaliers.
(537ko)
Concert of Western artists (mp3)
Gilberte Bohémier sings
L'histoire du Canada (4351ko)
Concert of Western artists (mp3)
Danielle Julien sings
En veillant sur le perron (1991ko)
Concert of Western artists (mp3)
Nicole Bremault sings
J'ai besoin de tout recommencer (2231ko)
Concert of Western artists (mp3)
Gisèle Lemire sings
Les secrets de la colline (4022ko)
Concert of Western artists (mp3)
Norman Lemoine sings
L'illusion (6397ko)
Concert of Western artists (mp3)
Maurice Aubain sings
Emonotone (4077ko)
Concert of Western artists (mp3)
Nicole Bremault sings
Assimilation (2912ko)
Concert of Western artists (mp3)
Gisèle Lemire sings
Ch'u tanné blues (3611ko)
Concert of Western artists (mp3)
Gilberte Bohémier sings a traditonal song.
(2752ko)
Concert of Western artists (mp3)
Maurice Aubin sings Louis Riel
(4520ko)
Concert of Western artists (mp3)
Maurice Aubin sings
Sans amour (7925ko)
La Fransasque (mp3)
The poem La Fransasque recited by Andrée Noonan.
(1849ko)
On s'garoche à Batoche - Un festival historique (mp3)
The coordinators discuss the event.
Laurelle Favreau, president of the Association jeunesse fransaskoise, explains why this particular event was chosen.
(3094ko)
On s'garoche à Batoche - Un festival historique (mp3)
Michèle Smith, of the Conseil jeunesse provincial du Manitoba, comments of the choice of certain activites over others.
(2788ko)
On s'garoche à Batoche - Un festival historique (mp3)
Gisèle Bélanger, provincial coordinator of the Fédération jeunesse colombienne, talks about the participants of the festival.
(2429ko)
On s'garoche à Batoche - Un festival historique (mp3)
Agathe Gaulin, director of Francophonie jeunesse en Alberta, talks budget.
(3781ko)
On s'garoche à Batoche - Un festival historique (mp3)
Bernard Lavigne talks about the historic slidshow he produced for On s'garoche à Batoche.
(2821ko)
On s'garoche à Batoche - Un festival historique (mp3)
The actors of the scenes discuss the personalities they represented. We hear as well, an excerpt of their performance.
(5921ko)
On s'garoche à Batoche - Un festival historique (mp3)
The actors of the scenes discuss the personalities they represented. We hear as well, an excerpt of their performance.
(4789ko)
On s'garoche à Batoche - Un festival historique (mp3)
The actors of the scenes discuss the personalities they represented. We hear as well, an excerpt of their performance.
(1904ko)
On s'garoche à Batoche - Un festival historique (mp3)
Laurier Gareau also talks about the play
Une nation provisoire that he co-wrote for the occaision. The participants include their impressions at the end of the event.
(3636ko)
On s'garoche à Batoche - Un festival historique (mp3)
The participants give us their impressions at the end of the event.
(4591ko)
On s'garoche à Batoche - Un festival historique (mp3)
The participants give us their impressions at the end of the event.
(7077ko)
On s'garoche à Batoche - Un festival historique (mp3)
The participants give us their impressions at the end of the event.
(5245ko)
On s'garoche à Batoche - Un festival historique (mp3)
Laurelle Favreau is questioned on the hoped for impact of
On s'garoche à Batoche. (3169ko)
Interview with Annette Labelle (mp3)
Let's end our refloction on the Fête fransaskoise with these prophetic words from Annette Labelle about the return of the Fête.
(177ko)
Interview with Robert Therrien (mp3)
Robert Therrien, director of the Conseil de la Coopération de la Saskatchewan, would like to adopt an imtimate structure for the Fête, similar to that of its last years.
(633ko)
Interview with Laurier Gareau (mp3)
Fransaskois historian Laurier Gareau believes that yes, the Fete could be brought back, if the organisation of it was left in the capable hands of a single committee.
(479ko)
Interview with Philippe Potié (mp3)
Philippe Potié, president of the the board of directors of the Fete at Zenon park in 2000, talks about the how the event was one of the few occaision the Fransaskois had to fraternise and reflect on the dynamise of their community.
(1031ko)
Interview with Hélène Marchildon (mp3)
Hélène Marchildon of Zenon Park was let down by the cancellation of the Fete. She points out the most immediate consequence, the estrangement of other francophone communities in the province.
(410ko)
Interview with Gilles Groleau (mp3)
Gilles Groleau recalls that the economic support brought to communities by the Fete also brought with it humanitarian support.
(981ko)
Interview with Hélène Marchildon (mp3)
Hélène Marchildon reflects on the unifying effect the Fete had on the inhabitants of Zenon Park upon the success of the community project.
(699ko)
Interview with Philippe Potié (mp3)
He points out that many anglophones took part in the organization of the Fête when it was hosted in their communities.
(1466ko)
Interview with Laurier Gareau (mp3)
Laurier Gareau indicates that the later Fêtes helped people connect and ultimately learn to work together.
(483ko)
