2. Community profile for the region encompassing St. Isidore-de-Bellevue, Duck Lake, Domremy, St. Louis and Hoey
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2.1 Population6
2.1.1. History7
Saskatchewan’s Francophone community has its roots in large expeditions organized as far back as 1731 by Pierre Gauthier de Varennes, sieur de La Vérendrye. Attracted by the beaver trade and driven by a quest for treasure, the route to the Orient and missionary work, the first French colonists established their first permanent settlements at Fort-à-la-Corne and Île-à-la-Crosse.
A large number of coureurs de bois, voyageurs and explorers from the St. Lawrence valley continued to settle in the West during the 18th and 19th centuries. Marriages between French men and Native women gave birth to the Métis nation, a unique Francophone population in Western Canada.
Toward the end of the 19th century, the Canadian government launched a major initiative to colonize the West, giving this region a new Francophone population made up of Europeans, Franco-Americans and French Canadians. Deliberately dispersed by the authorities of the time, this population primarily took root in areas that were favourable to agriculture. A hundred or so small French-Canadian towns appeared, carrying on a tradition of Catholic institutions and community life.
Little by little, the arrival of immigrants reduced the demographic weight of Francophones in the province. In the early 20th century, the Fransaskois community began a long battle to ensure the survival of the French language and to preserve its identity. In 1912, it created a representative association that, over the years, would become the Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise (ACF). This association still mobilizes vital forces throughout the province to promote the development of Saskatchewan’s Francophone community.
The communities examined in this study are part of three distinct rural municipalities: St. Louis, Hoodoo and Duck Lake. Geographically, these communities are located approximately 100 km northeast of Saskatoon and approximately 50 km southeast of Prince Albert. They are the main centres serving neighbouring rural communities.
2.1.2 Demographics
Overall, the population in these rural municipalities dropped by 8.3% between 2001 and 2006, from 2,800 to 2,586 people. In 2006, 550 inhabitants declared French8 as their mother tongue, which represents approximately 21.2% of the population. When the number of people who declared both English and French as their mother tongues in 2006 are added, the number of Francophones rises by a mere 15 people, to approximately 565.
Table 2: Basic demographic data
| St. Louis | Hoodoo | Duck Lake | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total population 2006 | 1,006 | 804 | 776 | 2,586 |
| Total population 2001 | 1,154 | 701 | 945 | 2,800 |
| Variation (%) | -12.8 | 14.7 | -17.9 | -8.3 |
| Population whose mother tongue is French (2006) | 435 | 35 | 80 | 550 |
| Proportion (%) | 43.2 | 4.3 | 10.3 | 21.2 |
2.1.3 Language
Examining the population according to different linguistic variables sheds light on the presence of French in the lives of individuals living in the region.
Table 3: Knowledge and use of French
| St. Louis | Hoodoo | Duck Lake | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total population 2006 | 1,006 | 804 | 776 | 2,586 | |
| Individuals with knowledge of both official languages | (N.) | 535 | 50 | 115 | 700 |
| (%) | 53 | 6 | 15 | 27 | |
| Individuals who speak French most often at home | (N.) | 245 | 0 | 25 | 270 |
| (%) | 24 | 0 | 3.2 | 10.4 | |
| Population 15 and older who speak French most often at work | (N.) | 105 | 0 | 0 | 105 |
| (%) | 16.4 | 0 | 0 | 6.3 |
According to 2006 Census data, in this rural region of Saskatchewan, 700 individuals know both official languages, which represents approximately 27% of the total population. However, only 270 individuals (10.4%) stated that French is the language spoken most often at home. It should be added that a high majority of the regional population (83.5%) stated that English is the language spoken most often at home and 2.3% stated that they speak a non-official language.
With respect to language of work, only 6.3% of individuals 15 and older stated that they speak French most often at work.
2.1.4 Age
The median age of the regional population ranges from 44 to 48.3. This is higher than the median age for the population of the province of Saskatchewan as a whole, which is 38.7. The communities also have a higher percentage of individuals aged 15 and older than the province as a whole. The only exception is the community of St. Louis, where 80.1% of the population is over 15, compared to 80.6% for the province as a whole.
Table 4: Age of the population
| St. Louis | Hoodoo | Duck Lake | Saskatchewan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44 | 48.3 | 44.8 | 38.7 |
| Population aged 15 or older (%) | 80.1 | 86.3 | 81,9 | 80.6 |
2.1.5 Socioeconomic conditions
According to Statistics Canada, education levels in the regions being studied are quite similar to those of Saskatchewan’s overall population. For example, in both cases, approximately 30% of the population does not have a secondary school diploma, while 26.2% has a secondary school diploma or equivalent. However, in the rural regions being studied, only 8.7% of the population has a university degree, as compared to nearly 13% for the province’s population as a whole.
Moreover, median revenues for residents in the regions studied vary from $18,401 to $23,015. On the whole, these revenue levels are slightly lower than the median revenue for the entire population, which is approximately $23,755.
2.2 Projet du terroir
The Projet du terroir is a rural development project that consists of promoting regional agriculture, culture and heritage through the concept of terroir. It was conceived by the ACF and the Institut français at the University of Regina in response to the major challenges faced by rural regions of Saskatchewan: outward migration, aging of the population and a reduction in the number of small agricultural producers. The project initiators wanted to boost the community’s vitality through a terroir approach.
During UNESCO’s “Planète Terroirs” international meeting in Paris in 2005, the following definition was proposed and validated:9 “A Terroir is a determined geographical area, defined by a human community, which generates and accumulates along its history a set of distinctive cultural traits, knowledge and practices based on a system of interactions between the natural environment and human factors. The know-how involved carries originality, confers its typical nature, and enables recognition of the goods and services originating from this specific geographical area and thus of the people living within it. These areas are living and innovative spaces which are more than just about tradition.”10
In Saskatchewan, the project proposes recognition of the region’s living heritage and products through consideration of the environment, culture, knowledge and know-how found in a rural setting, particularly one with a Francophone culture.
The project initiators chose the region encompassing St. Isidore-de-Bellevue, St. Louis, Domremy, Hoey and Duck Lake as the project site due to its high concentration of Francophones, resources, authenticity, heritage and vitality.
The Projet du terroir is continuing to move toward its objectives, which can be broken down into four main themes: collaborative economics, identity and a sense of belonging, demography and migration, and intercultural dialogue.11
2.2.1. Collaborative economics
The Projet du terroir seeks to create conditions that are conducive to collaboration between stakeholders in the agri-food chain. It is hoped that these collaborations will lead to the creation of jobs that strengthen the region’s French presence and Francophone identity. Communities believe that a strong and vital rural economy is achieved by recognizing local cultures and products and by revitalizing the agricultural sector (production, processing and commercialization). A strong and prosperous rural economy requires sufficient infrastructures and a qualified workforce. This kind of economy is also defined by the degree to which it attracts tourists and residents of urban centres.
2.2.2. Identity and sense of belonging
With regard to the preceding paragraph, the communities are hoping that the Projet du terroir will result in a strong sense of pride and solidarity within the population. By collaborating and developing projects such as economuseums, agritourism and terroir interpretive centres, communities will be recognizing their shared heritage. Such initiatives will help to project a more powerful image of Francophone communities and improve the image that citizens have of themselves.
2.2.3. Demography and migration
Fransaskois communities that participated in the study believe that the Projet du terroir could inject greater vitality from a demographic perspective. It could be said that the Projet du terroir will be considered a success once it has helped to slow down and reverse problems related to outward migration and aging of the population. The project will create regional jobs, recognize the farming profession, promote quality of life in a rural setting and intervene strategically with youth.
2.2.4. Intercultural dialogue
Given their geographic and sociolinguistic situation, rural communities in Saskatchewan believe that intercultural dialogue plays an increasingly important role in strengthening their identity and economy. The Projet du terroir is an opportunity to build bridges and create new connections with Aboriginal and Anglophone communities.
2.3 Community resources
Francophones in the region encompassing St. Isidorede-Bellevue, St. Louis, Domremy, Hoey and Duck Lake are part of the greater Fransaskois family and its leading organization, the ACF. The area is also one of the 12 electoral districts of the ACF. These districts are based on the division of the provincial electoral map. In keeping with the ACF’s governance structure, individuals in the area may elect their community representative.
The territory is rich in historic milestones. It includes Batoche, the site of the final battle of the Métis uprising in 1885, Fort Carlton Provincial Park, Duck Lake Regional Interpretive Centre and the bison antiquus that symbolizes St. Louis. The region has a fairly successful tourist industry, thanks largely to its recreational activities and its proximity to highways linking Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Many volunteer groups, most dedicated to culture, do work in the region. The list below presents the main services and community resources.
Local organizations
- Centre francophone BDS Inc. (new organization created by the merging of the Association culturelle de Bellevue, the Association culturelle Coeur-franc de St. Louis and the Centre fransaskois de Domremy)
- Archives de Bellevue
- St. Louis Historical Society
- Amis de Batoche
- Dizaines for Batoche Development Co-operative Ltd.
Services and other resources
- Tourist information centre
- St. Isidore School
- Foyer Jésus Marie (seniors’ home)
- Bed and breakfast chez Tina
- Community newsletters
- St. Laurent Pilgrimage
- Pioneer Park (St. Louis)
- L’Eau vive (weekly newspaper)
- Scenic routes
- Service Canada Centre
- Camping grounds
Provincial associations with local branches
- Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise
- Association des parents fransaskois
- Association jeunesse fransaskoise
- Conseil de la Coopération de la Saskatchewan
- Conseil culturel fransaskois
- Fédération des aînés fransaskois
Other organizations or programs that support the Projet du terroir
- University of Regina (Institut français)
- Batoche National Historic Park
- Prince Albert National Park of Canada
- Bellevue Hamlet Board
- Rural municipality of St. Louis No. 431
- Town of Duck Lake
- Canada Research Chair in Rural Development (Université du Québec à Rimouski)
- UNESCO Chair – Université Laval
- Centre local de développement of the Charlevoix regional county municipality
- Midi-Pyrénées region (France)
Notes
6 The statistics presented in the following section were drawn or compiled from 2006 community profiles prepared by Statistics Canada for the rural municipalities of St. Louis (RM431), Hoodoo (RM401) and Duck Lake (RM463). It should be noted that the rural municipality of St. Louis also includes the communities of St. Isidore-de-Bellevue, Domremy and Hoey. The references for these profiles are the following: St. Louis rural municipality: Statistics Canada, St. Louis No. 431, Saskatchewan (table), 2006 Community Profiles, 2006 Census, product no. 92-591-XWE in the Statistics Canada catalogue, Ottawa, 2007, on-line version (http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/index.cfm?Lang=E
) consulted November 17, 2009.
Hoodoo rural municipality: Statistics Canada, Hoodoo No. 401, Saskatchewan (table), 2006 Community Profiles, 2006 Census, product no. 92-591-XWE in the Statistics Canada catalogue, Ottawa, 2007, on-line version (http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/index.cfm?Lang=E) consulted November 17, 2009.
Duck Lake rural municipality: Statistics Canada, Duck Lake No. 463, Saskatchewan (table), 2006 Community Profiles, 2006 Census, product no. 92-591-XWE in the Statistics Canada catalogue, Ottawa, 2007, on-line version (http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/index.cfm?Lang=E) consulted November 17, 2009.
7 Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise, Portrait fransaskois, ACF, Saskatchewan, 2002, 27 p.
8 For the past few years, there has been a growing interest in research of definitions of the Francophone population that reflect the diversity and complexity of the Canadian Francophonie. Efforts in this area have been undertaken at the federal, provincial and university levels. For example, the Government of Ontario recently introduced a new definition of the province’s Francophone population. This new definition counts those whose mother tongue is neither French nor English, but who know French and speak it at home. Further information can be found on the Office of Francophone Affairs Web site at www.ofa.gov.on.ca/en/news-090604.html.
9 This definition of “terroir” is the product of a collaboration between the Institut national de la recherche agronomique and the Institut National des Appellations d’Origine (re-named Institut national de l’origine et de la qualité in 2007).
10 UNESCO, A Project for the Terroirs Around the World, information materials for the UNESCO 34th General Conference, October 16-November 3, 2007, 10 p.
11 As will be seen later, these themes are implicit in the Projet du terroir logic model.
