Michel Robitaille
Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Centre 

Marie-Claude Francoeur
Québec Delegate to New England-Boston 

Aaron Emmitte

Biography: Aaron Emmitte is Associate Teaching Professor and Introductory French Program Coordinator in the Department of French & Francophone Studies at Georgetown University. A sociolinguist by training, his research focuses primarily on the various dialects of francophone Louisiana. In particular, he explores the origin of phonetic variation between different French-speaking Louisiana communities. Other academic interests include the notion of Cajun and Creole identities, the preservation of minority languages, as well as language pedagogy and the teaching of French as a second language.

Sarah Fayen Scarlett

Sarah Fayen Scarlett discuss French-Canadians in the Upper Great Lakes and share ongoing research about those attracted to Michigan’s upper peninsula by industrial copper mining. Scarlett is part of a project called “Three Centuries of Francophone Migration in North America, 1640–1940,” which includes over 40 international researchers funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Nathan Rabalais

Nathan Rabalais talk about he links between Louisiana and French-speaking Canada date back to the early 18th century, during the first colonies in the territory. As a result of the Great Upheaval, and the deportation of the Acadians, about 3,000 Acadians settled in Louisiana from 1764. To this day, there are many cultural, political and institutional links and exchanges between French-speaking Canada and Louisiana.

Patrick White

Patrick White discuss, how about a century ago, more than 900,000 French Canadians crossed the border to work in textile factories in New England. Families, as large as 14 children, came to New England and shaped the cultural landscape. Patrick White also talk about the French-Canadians fight to preserve their language and culture in the context of Melting Pot and assimilation.