Richard Caumartin
Canadian Multiculturalism Day, celebrated on June 27, honours the many cultural communities that help build a strong and vibrant Canadian society. In Central Southern Ontario, these communities are playing an increasingly important role in the regional francophone community. This is particularly true of the Congolese community, which took the opportunity to gather for a double celebration on the last day of June in Stoney Creek.
With support from Welcoming Francophone Communities and the Centre francophone Hamilton, the Congolese community celebrated the 64th anniversary of their country of origin’s independence and Canadian Multiculturalism Day with a gala on the theme French in Our Homes. Why this theme? Because it explores the challenges faced by families from francophone ethnocultural communities in general as French is abandoned as the first language of instruction.
“This situation does not make it easier for newcomers to integrate, as most of them find themselves at the crossroads of the two official languages and end up abandoning French in favour of English,” explains the president of the Congolese community, Jean-Jacques Somwe. “This theme, however, calls for effective collaboration among the region’s francophone ethnocultural communities, mobilizing their respective members to breathe new life into the use of French in our homes.”
Hosted by Nancy Tshibola and Éric Saïdi-Sadi, two active members of the Congolese community, the evening began with the Canadian and Congolese national anthems, followed by a video about the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Mr. Somwe then addressed the guests.
“Over the past five years, our community has raised more than $100,000 to help newly arrived Congolese people going through difficult times. It is proof of a deep love for our own. We must be proud ambassadors of our culture. Our generation is responsible for preparing our children’s future. The board of directors is convinced that building a cultural centre would be a dream come true and the solution to strengthening our culture and our foundations for the long term,” says the president of the Congolese community.
“To everyone who believes this dream is impossible, I say that if the 5,000 members of our community each donate $10 a month — which many already do to support our organization — we will raise $50,000 a month. Multiply that over three years and, with interest, we will have nearly two million dollars to set up a lasting foundation and aim to open a Congolese House. Our children will then benefit from an organized structure for the future of our community. The ball is in our court!” The speech drew loud applause from the audience.
The event continued with a speech by Julie Jardel of the Centre francophone de Hamilton on the importance of French in the home. She spoke about her journey as an immigrant from France to Canada and the need to protect one’s francophone identity and promote the use of French in a minority setting.
Ms. Jardel drew a comparison with the myth of the Tower of Babel to help the audience understand the importance of communication for a minority community.
“With our French, we can still become the solid foundation of this tower — a tower of communication and community support. Beyond communication, this language allows us to pass on our values, our traditions and our stories. French must not only survive, it must also thrive. Every person who chooses to speak French helps keep the language alive and vibrant. We have a responsibility to pass on our language and culture to our children. By doing so, we enrich our cultural identity.”
After the speeches, the roughly 200 guests enjoyed a multicultural buffet. Performances by Congolese artists from the region, an auction and a DJ dance celebrating 64 years of DRC independence made for an evening full of hope for the future of this community.
Photo : Jean-Jacques Somwe, president of the Congolese Association
Source: Le régional.com
