Blog – Page 3 of 4 – Moderne Francos

As I continue the journey down the Franco-American rabbit hole, something I’ve become more interested in has been the traditional folk music and the modern interpretations of our history, language, and culture.

Although I can’t pick up on all of the French in the songs yet, the music itself is enjoyable to tap my foot to and let my mind wander into a folksy Franco-American story. I can’t dance to save my life but when the steady rhythm of the podorythmie and smooth melodies intertwine to create an upbeat sound, I can imagine dancing along in a room full of other people dancing to the same songs.

Yes, I’m a sucker for the Meryton Assembly dance scene in Pride and Prejudice. How would anyone guess? And obviously that other dance scene but that’s another story.

This traditional folksy-style music creates so much vibrant energy, even if you’re listening to it alone. So when I recently discovered that Franco-American music is an actual genre, I jumped right in and frantically searched for more.

How 20-Somethings Can Promote the Franco-American Story to the Mainstream

By Melody Desjardins

On April 23, 2021

In All Posts, Franco-American Stories, Quebec

I have found myself lost with things to say about being Franco-American.

Besides describing myself as a descendant of French-Canadians from Québec, I have found it challenging to find more words to define it.

I’ve seen so many videos while scrolling through social media of other people in my age range sharing aspects of their culture with the world. Either they know the history, they’re learning the language (if they aren’t already fluent), they dance to their culture’s music in their traditional dress, or sing along with their own meaningful songs.

It’s inspiring to see young people embracing their culture, especially online. Every time I see these stories, I badly want to share my own culture in the same way. Although I’ve thought of many ideas to participate in these “culture challenges,” there’s always the imposter syndrome that stops me.

What is traditional dress for Franco-Americans: do we even have that? Would we adopt the French-Canadian tuque or ceinture fléchée? Or adopt clothing styles that the early settlers of New France wore? And what is our traditional music? Who are we, really?

Could a Spark of Romance Prompt Interest in Québec Among Americans?

By Melody Desjardins

On April 9, 2021

In All Posts, Franco-American History, Franco-American Stories, Quebec

The romanticization of Parisian life can cause culture shock and “Paris syndrome.”

But this chic aesthetic does generate more interest in French culture. So would romanticizing Québec in the same way help or hurt for self-discovery?

Can We Make SJB as Mainstream as St. Paddy’s?

By Melody Desjardins

On March 26, 2021

In All Posts, Franco-American History, Franco-American Stories, Quebec, Traditions

A banner reading "Joyeuse Saint Jean-Baptiste Day!" with the Flag of Quebec and the Franco-American Flag.

With Mois de la Francophonie coming to a close, did you happen to see more fleur-de-lis or four-leaf clovers? Probably the latter, with Saint Patrick’s Day being the mainstream event every March. Throughout the month, rivers are dyed green along with the beer at every bar.

So how does one day take over an entire month? June 24 will be here before we know it. So it’s worth comparing the luck of the Irish to Saint Jean-Baptiste Day. How can it become just as widely known?

Could you imagine seeing a royal blue Niagara Falls? Served blue beer at the bar? Getting in line for a large Saint Jean-Baptiste parade, waving the Flag of Québec in a sea of blue and white? Or even waving the Franco-American flag?

Of course, Saint Jean-Baptiste Day is already a huge celebration in Québec. But how can we bring that pomp and circumstance to New England? Or even to the United States in general?

It’s all about messaging.

Voyage au Québec: An Inspiring Journey of Birthright

By Melody Desjardins

On March 12, 2021

In All Posts, Franco-American Stories, Quebec

Because of the Québec diaspora between 1840 and 1930, around one million French-Canadians left Québec for New England. With industrialization booming in the United States, they set out for opportunities in the mills.

Despite the discrimination they faced in their new home, their fate in Québec wasn’t promising with the lack of work. Some stayed in New England, and some went back.

But is this diaspora a reason to support a “birthright trip” to Québec for the descendants of these French-Canadian immigrants?

What Can We Do to Rebirth the Culture?

By Melody Desjardins

On February 26, 2021

In All Posts, DIY, Traditions

For many of us in the United States with a Franco-American or French-Canadian background, we’ve become more and more Americanized with each generation.

Although there’s nothing wrong with this assimilation, we have mostly forgotten the cultural qualities that made us a unique group.

With Francophonie Month coming up in March and spring around the corner, we can spend this time thinking about who we were and who we are today.

After all, the weeks ahead are a time to remember the rebirth of life, so why not focus on the rebirth of French America?

We’ve got to start somewhere to relight the spark that never died in the first place. Just like every tulip bulb hidden in the soil, it always grows back no matter how many harsh winters it endures.

4 Life Lessons We Can Learn From the Filles du Roi

By Melody Desjardins

On January 22, 2021

In All Posts, Franco-American History, Les Filles du Roi, Women's History

The King’s Daughters mural by artist Annie Hamel in Montreal.

Les Filles du Roi, or The King’s Daughters, arrived in New France between 1663-1667 with the mission to repopulate the province.

King Louis XIV provided about 800-1000 young women mostly in their 20’s with dowries, clothes, supplies, and a place to live with the nuns.

These women boarded ships to the New World, leaving behind everything they knew in France. They suffered terrible conditions on these ships, from a lack of proper hygiene to the looming risk of sickness. If that weren’t enough, they also faced possible death on the very ship bringing them to new opportunities.

We today cannot imagine how uncomfortable these conditions must have been for months on end. Once onboard, these young women had no other choice but to tough it out on the dreadful, long voyage.

Boarding the ships into the unknown shows us their determination to leave their less fortunate lives in France. All for the chance of making a life in a land they never knew.

Through historical accounts, we can only get a glimpse of the challenging lives of these women. From history and current forms of storytelling, we can gather lessons from the past that can enlighten our modern times.

The Last Franco-American: A Real Life Franco Journey

By Melody Desjardins

On December 4, 2020

In All Posts, Franco-American History

Growing up in Manchester, New Hampshire, I was torn between two cultures, two languages and two worlds. Questioning what was happening to the north of me, in modern day Québec, my family’s motherland. Can Franco-Americans ever find peace within two cultures? What if I were the last Franco-American?
Rémi Francoeur, The Last Franco-American

Rémi Francoeur is a writer on a mission to reclaim the Franco-American story. Born and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire, he describes his life as living between French-Canadian and American culture.

Although Francoeur has been living in Montreal, Québec, he couldn’t help but notice how different he was as a Franco-American even when living among other Francophones.

He realized how many Franco-Americans never grew up speaking French, making him feel like the last person of the younger generations to speak the language.

He began to write his book about these experiences, calling it “The Last Franco-American.”

With this book as his ongoing passion project, he wants to bring more understanding and pride to Franco-American culture by sharing his own experiences and adding the experiences of other people who had to rediscover their own Franco-American heritage.

Burgundy Fleur-de-Lis? Mixed Reactions to Jersey Honoring Québec Nordiques

By Melody Desjardins

On November 20, 2020

In All Posts, Hockey, Sports

On November 16, Colorado Avalanche unveiled their Reverse Retro jersey. This was in collaboration with Adidas and the NHL in releasing a collection of jerseys that blend the past and present designs for all 31 teams.

The Colorado Avalanche’s jersey is a throwback to 1972 when the team was previously known as the Québec Nordiques in the World Hockey Association (WHA) before joining the National Hockey League (NHL) in 1979.

Québec Nordiques igloo from 1972-73 to 1978-79.

Originally based in Québec City, the Nordiques were well-known for their powder blue and white uniforms. Although, from 1973-75, they adopted a dark royal blue color. The fleur-de-lis was first added to the uniforms for the 1974-75 season.

The jersey evolution from the Québec Nordiques to the Colorado Avalanche.

Now let’s take a look at the Avalanche’s Reverse Retro jersey!

What You Didn’t Know About the Franco-American Flag

By Melody Desjardins

On October 17, 2020

In All Posts, Franco-American History

Let’s go over the Franco-American flag I mentioned in my first post.

Each color and symbol represents an aspect of the Franco-American story.

So let’s break it down:

Moderne Francos

All About the Franco-American Experience

Page 3 of 4

Discovering Our Story in the Franco-American Music Scene

How 20-Somethings Can Promote the Franco-American Story to the Mainstream

Could a Spark of Romance Prompt Interest in Québec Among Americans?

Can We Make SJB as Mainstream as St. Paddy’s?

Voyage au Québec: An Inspiring Journey of Birthright

What Can We Do to Rebirth the Culture?

4 Life Lessons We Can Learn From the Filles du Roi

The Last Franco-American: A Real Life Franco Journey

Burgundy Fleur-de-Lis? Mixed Reactions to Jersey Honoring Québec Nordiques

What You Didn’t Know About the Franco-American Flag

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