Led by their green mascot, the Tintamarre parade wound through Prince Albert's downtown. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Proud of our culture

‘We are here to stay’: Prince Albert’s French community makes some noise

Mar 21, 2023 | 1:03 PM

Equipped with various horns, rattlers and signs, Prince Albert’s French community made its presence felt on Tuesday.

Close to 500 local area students participated in the Tintamarre parade – a proud Acadian tradition which involves participants using what ever instrument or noise maker they have at their disposal.

Due to COVID, it’s been almost four years since the last event was held. Josée Bourgoin, vice-president of Sociéte canadienne-française de Prince Albert (SCFPA), told paNOW the parade represents an opportunity to show the French culture and language are alive in the community.

“Just let everybody know we’re still around, we still exist and that we are here to stay,” she said.

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The tradition dates back to the mid 1950s, when during the 200-year celebration of the Expulsion of the Acadians, a Maritime Archbishop told families to kneel in outdoor prayer once the church bells began. Once the prayer was finished, he told residents to enter into a joyful tintamarre, featuring anything, everything and everyone that can make noise, shout and ring.

The move was reported as a rebirth of the French-speaking Acadians, two centuries after it was supposed to have been extinguished.

Noting the event is open to all Canadians to come and take part in French activities, Bourgoin explained similar events were being held in a number of communities across province including Moose Jaw.

“It’s kind of an interesting little competition between our French communities.” she noted.

Roughly 40 kids were bussed in from Bellevue. Teacher Celeste Jensen, a teacher at École St-Isidore said it was important for them to attend.

“You know we are all proud to be French and this is kind of the time for us to show who we are to the community and just show how proud we are of where we came from,” she said.

Students from Arthur Peachey show their French pride. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Ecole Valpis. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell