I am a graduate of the immersion program in Regina. I didn't choose immersion, my parents chose it for me and I thank them for that decision. I am now trilingual and my knowledge of French has certainly opened doors for me.

In 5^th grade, I traveled to Edmonton to represent Regina at a Heritage Fair. It was the first time I had traveled without my parents and it was a very good experience. I also participated in a public speaking competition and won on a provincial level when I was in grade seven. These activities have helped to develop my skills and have given me the confidence to speak in public.

Knowing French has allowed me to travel. I meet interesting people wherever I go because I can speak languages other than English. North Americans tend to believe that English is the most important language and that it is spoken everywhere in the world. That is not the case. In Europe and in South America there are many places where no one speaks English.

I don't know if I will necessarily work in French in the future but the fact that I can speak French will always be useful in my life.

Camila Apablaza

Hello. My name is Tanya. I would like to tell you about how I learned French, how knowing French has opened doors for me, and how I benefit from this asset every day.

I was attracted to the French language at a young age. My parents were very involved in the Fransaskois communities of Willow Bunch and Gravelbourg. When I turned eight years old, my parents registered me in an immersion program, and this played a fundamental role in my learning of French. I am very thankful to them for having chosen French for me, since it was my knowledge of the French language that allowed me to discover Europe and the French-speaking world.

After obtaining a B.A. in French Literature at the University of Victoria in British Columbia and a diploma from the Université d'Aix-Marseille in France, I decided to return to my home province: Saskatchewan. I certainly could have chosen to go elsewhere in the country, but I feel very at home here; this is where I grew up. Once I discovered other cultures and traveled a great deal, I wanted to rediscover my own culture. Today, I am very happy to be living in Saskatchewan again. It is my dream come true!

I will face many challenges in my position as Coordinator for a Francophone organization, since French is my second language; however, I am well prepared for the challenge of working in French. My experiences living in Aix-en-Provence (in France) and in Rouyn-Noranda (in Quebec), in addition to my post-secondary studies in French, have provided me with the tools I will need to work in the Fransaskois community.

Tanya Helle

My name is Daniel Fontaine; I’m a young Fransaskois from Saskatoon who lives everyday in French. I’m currently finishing my bachelor in arts, majoring in French at the University of Saskatchewan with the intention of pursuing a career in French.

As great as it is to live one’s language and culture in a majority setting, living them as a minority also has its rewards. In Saskatchewan, I get to share my culture with people everyday. For me, speaking French means staying true to the language and heritage of my ancestors, pioneers in the foundation of this country. I’m proud to say that I come from a family, today exogamous (that is one of my parents is Anglophone), that has succeeded in keeping the French language in Saskatchewan for four generations. Language, like faith, must be preserved and protected because it plays a substantial role in the mind, spirit, and identity of its speakers.

Being bilingual has proven to be a huge cultural advantage for me. Thanks to French and English, my culture is two times the size it could be! And today, I feel like a true citizen of the world, sensitive to other minorities, languages and cultures. I’ve already moved on to learning other languages, starting with Spanish!      

My name is Camille Lapierre. I was born Camille Dion in Zénon Park in the north-west region of our beautiful province. I studied in French from Kindergarten to grade 12 at the École in Zénon Park. I was able to enrich my Fransaskois culture mostly during my high school years by getting involved with fabulous organizations such as the AJF and the Scouts. Thanks to them I travelled throughout Canada and had the richest experiences. I would also like to point out that along with these opportunities I also met my future husband. 

After graduating in 1994, I kept on studying at the Professional Institute of Massage Therapy in Saskatoon in English. In the medical field, many words relating to anatomy come from the Latin root. I was able to refer to my first language (also a Latin language) on many occasions! My knowledge of two languages certainly helped me to understand medical terminology. This is how my career as a massage therapist started. For nine years now, I have been working in the wonderful field of alternative medicine. Health is a field that requires a high communication level. Being bilingual has been a tremendous help especially with patients whose first language is French. It is a great relief for the patient who can only precisely describe what he feels in his first language! 

French will always be an important part of my life and of the daily life of my young family. I truly wish that the Fransaskois culture remain forever alive in this rich province of ours.

Camille Lapierre