The Saskatchewan francophone collections

The 7 collections that comprise our project are the result of research sponsored by the Bureau de la minorité des langues officielles (B.M.L.O.). This effort was realized with the purpose of offering elementary and high school students a handy tool for studying and research. Mr. Laurier Gareau, a local author, was responsible for the research and editing.

Mr. Gareau is well known throughout the francophone community; he presents a weekly editorial to "l'Eau Vive", a French newspaper. He is also the author of many theatrical plays and books that tell the tale of the evolution of French in Saskatchewan. Much of his work in these collections have been published in his weekly editorials.

This French collection is divided into 7 subjects and deals with the history and evolution of the francophone community in Saskatchewan. In the first category, "the French communities", we discover the history of the foundation and the evolution of 17 communities. Each community is described and treated separately witf geographical maps and photos which complement the text.

The people which deal with francophone men and women, métis men and religious and community organisations. These factors compose the second category. The author describes the life and influence that these people and organisations have exercised in the evolution of the French community.

In the third and last category which includes culture and theatre, Mr. Gareau helps us discover different customs and cultural influences that the early pioneers had brought with them, either from Québec, from Acadie or even from francophone countries in Europe.