Franco-Ontarian flag raising in Welland

25 September is Franco-Ontarian Day. That day, in Welland, the green and white flag went up in front of city hall, and SOFIFRAN was there.

Green, white, and a good crowd

The weather was fine. On the square, in front of the tall windows of city hall, green was everywhere: on jackets, scarves, head wraps, hats, and the little fans waving at arm’s length. Families, neighbours, City representatives, community partners. Many knew one another, others spoke for the first time.

The children sang

A school choir stood in front of the building, lined up close together, the youngest sitting on the ground at the front. They sang. It is a fine reminder of what the day celebrates: a language passed on, still alive because children sing it outdoors, on a September morning, in front of their city hall.

Why SOFIFRAN was there

Because the women and families the organization supports are Franco-Ontarian too. Some arrived in Niagara twenty years ago, others a few months ago. The flag that goes up that day is theirs as well, and their place on that public square is not something to ask for: it is already theirs.

Being present at this gathering says to the community and to the City that Welland’s Francophonie is diverse, that it comes from everywhere, and that it stands together.

Thank you

Thank you to the City of Welland for the welcome, to the schools and the young people who sang, to the partners who came, and to everyone who wore the green and white that morning.

Your voice, our strength, our future.