The Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta ''(French Canadian Association of Alberta)'' is a Canadian

association Association may refer to: *Club (organization), an association of two or more people united by a common interest or goal *Trade association, an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry *Voluntary associatio ...

that seeks to represent and promote the culture of

Franco-Albertans Franco-Albertans (french: Franco-Albertains) are francophone residents of the Canadian province of Alberta. Franco-Albertans may also refer to residents of Alberta with French Canadian ancestry, although publications from the government of Alberta ...

within Alberta. It is the largest organisation of its kind in Alberta. The goals of the ACFA are to provide a collective voice for francophones by working on political grounds, and by providing and organising French language media and cultural events.

History

During the early 20th century, English was the only language used by the

Government of Alberta The government of Alberta (french: gouvernement de l'Alberta) is the body responsible for the administration of the Canadian province of Alberta. As a constitutional monarchy, the Crown—represented in the province by the lieutenant governor—i ...

and the sole language used for instruction, with the exception of a primary course that intended to provide a single year of French language instruction at primary schools. In spring of 1925, the

francophone French became an international language in the Middle Ages, when the power of the Kingdom of France made it the second international language, alongside Latin. This status continued to grow into the 18th century, by which time French was the ...

community and the Minister of Education,

Perren Baker Perren Earle Baker (August 10, 1877 – February 13, 1974) was a Canadian politician who served as Alberta Alberta ( ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is part of Western Canada and is one of the three pra ...

, worked together to establish ministerial regulations in regards to French language education in

Alberta Alberta ( ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is part of Western Canada and is one of the three prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, the Northwest Ter ...

. Under the rules established, one hour a day could be spent on French, beginning in Grade 3. Following this, there was a strong need for organisation within the French Albertan community. On 13 December 1925, 400 French Albertans gathered for a convention at the Hotel Macdonald in

Edmonton Edmonton ( ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Alberta. Edmonton is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Alberta's central region. The city anc ...

to create the ''Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta'' (French Canadian Association of Alberta; ACFA), a general association for their community. A provisional committee was formed, presided over by Dr. Joseph-Étienne Amyot, to organise the ACFA, held its first congress from 15 July to 18 July 1926. Originally, the ACFA was divided by volunteers into 'parish circles' composed of members from a specific parish or

Catholic mission Missionary work of the Catholic Church has often been undertaken outside the geographically defined parishes and dioceses by religious orders who have people and material resources to spare, and some of which specialized in missions. Eventually, p ...

. This structure was replaced in 1960, when Alberta was divided into five regional circles. The organisation was financially supported by the

Secretary of State of Canada The Secretary of State for Canada, established in 1867 with a corresponding department, was a Canadian Cabinet position that served as the official channel of communication between the Dominion of Canada and the Imperial government in London. Scot ...

until the position's dissolution in 1996. The ACFA were in attendance of and took part in the

Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism The Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism (french: Commission royale d’enquête sur le bilinguisme et le biculturalisme, also known as the Bi and Bi Commission and the Laurendeau-Dunton Commission) was a Canadian royal commissio ...

and the

Meech Lake Accord The Meech Lake Accord (french: Accord du lac Meech) was a series of proposed amendments to the Constitution of Canada negotiated in 1987 by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and all 10 Canadian provincial premiers. It was intended to persuade the go ...

References

{{reflist Franco-Albertan culture 1926 establishments in Alberta

History

See also

References