The Francophone heritage in Alberta dates back to the earliest days of the fur trade when the Montreal peddlers came to the Northwest region in search of adventure and business opportunities. The voyageurs married Cree women and the first Francophone communities, Métis communities, were established. Members of religious orders came and were followed by settlers. In this process, which spanned over 200 years, significant contributions were made to the settlement of the West and the founding of Alberta.Alberta's Francophonie is important historically, politically, economically, culturally and socially. The documentation of the rich heritage of this official language community and the creation of materials to reinforce community identity and pride are of enormous importance. Alberta's Francophone Heritage website tells these individual and community stories from the era of the fur trade to contemporary Francophone communities confidently embracing the future.
To learn more about some of the significant events in the development of Alberta's Francophone communities, download the chronology by CLICKING HERE.
Source: Alberta Culture and Tourism
