Language, Identity, and Resilience: Exploring the Importance of French in Minority Language Communities

We thank Heritage Canada for its generous support of this conference and French language programming at Massey College.

This conference builds bridges between anglophone and francophone communities, and deepens anglophone understanding of contemporary issues within francophone communities in Canada.

Featuring expert-led sessions, this event will address key challenges and opportunities for French-speaking populations in the province. We will delve into the critical role of the French language in shaping identity and fostering resilience in Ontario’s Francophone minority communities.

This conference is an opportunity for students, alumni, and subject matter experts to connect over meaningful dialogue. French language learners can deepen their appreciation for bilingualism through the exploration of these topics, while native French speakers can strengthen their professional networks and foster connections within their language community.

Please join us for networking at 2:30pm over coffee and tea in advance of the speaker series.

We will have live translations to support French language learners and to improve accessibility. This event will be live streamed. Link to follow.

Agenda 

2:30 – 3:00pm: Coffee and Networking in the Upper Library 

3:00– 3:15pm: Welcome Remarks  

3:15– 4:00pm :  Navigating l’insecurité linguistique: The challenges of life as an Official Language minority

• Marco Fiola, Principal, Glendon College
• Julia Caron, Radio-Canada
• Marco Fiola, Glendon College
• Geneviève Grenier, CSC Mon Avenir
• Pamela Pascal, Official Languages Canada

4:00-4:45pm: Breaking barriers: An interactive panel on challenges accessing health, legal, and community services

• Nicolas Haddad, Host of Radio-Canada’s Y a pas deux matins pareils
• Eunice Boue, Executive Director, Toronto Book Fair
• Christian Hirwa, Director, Réseau TNO Santé, Fédération franco-ténoise
• Angela Ogang, AngeLAW

4:45pm to 5:30pm: Fostering Francophone excellence: French language and cultural engagement opportunities

• Cynthia Laure, Alliance Française
• Jacques Charette, Francophone en fête
• Sandhya Mylabathula, Melon D’Oh La La

5:30-5:45pm: Closing remarks

This conference is organized by Sandhya Mylabathua (Melon D’Oh La La) & Justice Julie Thorburn

Sandhya Mylabathula (@steam.sisters) is an award-winning researcher, science communicator and educator – and recently an entrepreneur! She is also a passionate Francophile who loves exploring the language and culture. She directs the French programming at Massey College, through which she organizes French language lessons and cultural activities. She founded a linguistic entrepreneurial venture, Melon D’Oh La La, which offers linguistic exchanges and organizes in-class visits to explore the diversity and richness of the francophonie through hands-on activities.

Justice Thorburn is a Senior Fellow at Massey College and was appointed to the Court of Appeal for Ontario in 2019 following a distinguished 12-year judicial career on the province’s Superior Court. Justice Thorburn co-authored a 2015 report to improve access to justice for French-speaking litigants, prepared at the request of the Attorney General of Ontario, and has worked with young people as part of the Ontario Justice Education Network Board of Directors, planning and executing programs with youth to help them better understand our justice system.

Full speaker list and bios to follow.