Que tu viennes de Lafontaine ou de North Bay…
To mark Franco-Ontarian Day, the NAC teamed up with talented Franco-Ontarian Métis mural artist and renowned badass Mique Michelle. In a nod to the rich diversity – of cultures, accents, and backgrounds – within the Franco-Ontarian community, Michelle’s colourful world will be illuminated by the NAC’s Kipnes Lantern on September 25 and will be a sight to behold for passers-by.
“This mural is a collaboration with the Francos in Lowertown,” says the artist, who’s originally from Field. “They shared traditional fabrics and patterns with me, which led to all these beautiful colours and shapes.”
On this day of celebration, scaled back this year because of the current circumstances, the NAC is sending a message from afar to Ontario Francophones: Happy birthday, and thank you. Thank you for giving us the Jean Marc Dalpés, the Yaos, the Céleste Lévis; for inspiring the Medhi Cayennes, Mélissa Ouimets and Stef Paquettes. Thank you for dreaming up the Franco-fêtes, the Échos d’un peuple, the Nuits sur l’étang. For preserving those precious regionalisms and sweet accents. And thank you for persisting, proud, strong, unshakeable, for the sake of the green and white. For the sake of the French language.
On September 25, the curtains will stay closed at the NAC, but the 45-year-old Franco-Ontarian flag will fly proudly outside its walls. Nous sommes, nous serons… aujourd’hui pour demain.
Happy Franco-Ontarian Day!