5. Community Strategic Framework for the 400th
A . COMMUNITY VISION
The community commemorations of 400 years of the French presence in Ontario are a living legacy of the francophone community’s contribution, from 1610 to today, in every area of activity and every region of Ontario, and of its contribution to francophone cultural visibility in Canada. The vision was developed in 2009-2010, revised by the Provincial Community Steering Committee for the 400th in summer 2012, and validated in the committee’s working session on October 18, 2012.
B. VALUE S AND GUIDING PRINCIPLE S
The committee reflected on the principles that would guide its operations and actions. More than 20 values were identified, of which five primary values were selected to encompass all the values discussed.
Open-mindedness: Being inclusive and fair to all ideas and all target groups, recognizing the richness of Ontario.
Excellence: Striving for a high standard of effectiveness and valorizing everyone’s skills.
Transparency: Demonstrating integrity in decision-making and fostering open communication with the community and partners.
Community leadership: Counting on the contribution of the grassroots; valorizing the engagement and participation of the community. Commitment: Exhibiting solidarity, perseverance and determination in order to ensure the community commemorations are successful.
C. PRIORITY A SPECTS OF THE COMMUNITY COMME MOR ATIONS
During the Summit on the Future of Franco-Ontarian Cultural Heritage, four priority aspects were identified to underpin the 2013-2015 community programming for the commemorations of 400 years of the French presence.
The priority aspects identified in 2009 are as follows:
Heritage
Tourism
Education
Arts and culture
Following the strategy session held October 18, 2012, the committee reincorporated the education aspect as a priority for the community commemorations of 400 years of the French presence in Ontario, and other items were modified. The framework now includes four priority aspects.
The priority aspects identified for the community commemorations of the 400th are as follows:
PRIORITY ASPECTS FOR THE 400TH |
HERITAGEPreservation and, especially, transmission of French Ontario’s cultural heritage is at the core of the community programming for the commemorations of the 400th anniversary of the French presence in Ontario. It is intended not only as a tool for developing a sense of belonging in Ontario’s francophones, but also a source of wealth in order to promote the cultural diversity and collective memory of Ontario as a whole.(See Appendix A – Reference framework for Franco-Ontario cultural heritage) |
TOURISMCommunity programming for the 400th anniversary of the French presence in Ontario will be a tool for developing first-rate local, regional, provincial, and national tourism. |
EDUCATIONCommunity programming for the 400th anniversary of the French presence in Ontario will be a tool for promoting and transmitting culture and history, while promoting identity- building in the school community, from early childhood to the post-secondary level. The programming also seeks to reach out to immersion programs and adult education centres. Several transmission drivers will be promoted, including intergenerational activities and the development of teaching resources for the 400th. |
ARTS AND CULTUREEach cultural and artistic discipline is a transmission medium par excellence of the rich cultural heritage of French Ontario, and should be at the forefront of the community commemorations of the 400th anniversary, since they are accessible at all levels. The goal of the strategies is to use the arts and culture to make heritage relevant in today’s world. |
D. TARGET GROUPS OF THE COMMUNITY COMME MOR ATIONS
Encouraging successors and the active involvement of target groups is essential to building a sense of belonging to French culture, and thereby ensuring the sustainability of Ontario’s francophone community, as well as its visibility across the country.
The community programming for commemorating 400 years of the French presence in Ontario should incorporate targeted strategies so that the target groups play a major active role.
The target groups identified for the community commemorations of the 400th are as follows:
Aboriginals (First Nations)
Immigrants and newcomers
LGBTQ
Persons with disabilities
Seniors and retirees
Women
Youth
E . PROGR A MMING FR A MEWORK
The community programming framework for the 400th encompasses the community programming profile, the scope of community programming, and the inventory of events. These three components were identified during the Summit and worked on in committee. In the strategy session, the committee and the RPFO validated the three components and changed some of the aspects of the components:
i. Community programming profile
The programming of the community commemorations of 400 years of the French presence in
Ontario should:
be accessible to all linguistic and ethnic communities and all ages;
be inclusive of all priority target groups;
have a local, regional, and provincial scope, in order to ensure it reaches all across Ontario;
be reflective of the cultural identity of all francophones in Ontario in all areas of activity;
unify Ontario’s grassroots, who will focus their energy on a shared vision.
ii. Scope of community programming
The programming of the community commemorations of 400 years of the French presence in
Ontario will be spread out from 2013 to 2015:
The year 2013 marks Champlain’s first visit to Ontario (travelling up the Ottawa River) in 1613.
The year 2015 marks Champlain’s visit to Huronia, where he spent the winter from 1615-1616.
The commemorations will kick off in January 2013 and wrap up in September 2015 in order to highlight the activities associated with the official Franco-Ontarian Day.
For its part, the Government of Ontario will hold official activities in June 2013 and summer 2015. iii. Inventory of events
The community programming for the commemorations of 400 years of the French presence in
Ontario will include events of various sizes on a local, regional, provincial, and national scale.
One strategy that will be essential to the success of the celebrations at the local, regional, provincial, and national level certainly involves prioritizing existing initiatives within the community.
In Fall 2012, the RPFO will inventory all the groups and organizations responsible for existing events, activities, and tools where a “sense of the 400th” could be lent to their initiatives, as well as new initiatives that are in keeping with the community orientations of the 400th in Ontario.
F. L A STING OUTCOME S AND LEGACIE S OF COMMUNITY PROGR A MMING FOR THE 400TH
The community programming for the commemorations of the 400th should leave its mark, with initiatives and projects that will have lasting outcomes in every region of Ontario, as well as reaching across the country. The committee has identified three lasting outcomes for the programming, including lasting outcomes for the francophone community, lasting outcomes for Ontario, and lasting outcomes for Canada.
Lasting outcomes for the francophone community:
Developing leadership and ensuring a succession pool.
Bringing the community sector (francophone, anglophone and aboriginal) closer together.
Expanding and diversifying the range of partners.
Carrying out activities and projects to ensure the long-term development and sustainability of the francophone community in Ontario (legacy).
Developing a sense of belonging and pride in being francophone in Ontario and within our communities.
Developing and strengthening the sense of belonging in Ontario.
Lasting outcomes for Ontario:
Using and highlighting the richness of the francophone cultural heritage in order to enhance
Ontario’s cultural and tourism identity.
Recognizing Ontario’s diversity, and highlighting the contribution of francophones within various areas of activity (arts, culture, business, education, etc.).
Highlighting Ontario as a whole, and each of its individual regions and communities.
Recognizing that the image of “an Ontarian” reflects the province’s diversity.
Strengthening the social fabric.
Ensuring there are economic and tourism spinoffs in the province.
Raising the awareness of the populace to the French fact and its added value.
Lasting outcomes for Canada:
Creating synergy among all Canadians, whether francophone or francophile.
Ensuring the sustainability and visibility of Canada’s francophone communities.
Strengthening the social fabric in order to build a Canada that is united in its diversity.
Becoming a springboard for celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017.
G . STR ATEGIC OBJECTIVE S
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OBJECTIVE 2: STRENGTHENING TIES | |
Overall outcomeThe committee, on behalf of its partners, will facilitate the emergence of new partnerships with a view to the community commemorations of 400 years of the French presence in Ontario. | Strategic outcomes associated with the overall outcome Increased development of current and future partnerships associated with events and activities related to the 400th. New cooperation with anglophone groups will
be established in order to help them understand the value of the history and culture of the French presence in Ontario over the past 400 years. Better dialogue with various government departments so they can provide budget envelopes for the community commemorations of the 400th. Funders will give priority to organizations applying for funding associated with a 400th- themed activity that is in keeping with the strategic orientations. |
Shared strategies Communicate with missing economic, educational, community, municipal, and ethnocultural partners. Create an interdepartmental strategy. | Action planNovember/December 2012:Present the final community strategic orientations and community evaluation framework to funders.
January to March 2013: Consult with the community and present the plan. |
EvaluationIndicators: Number of partnerships created
Government Community Organizers Number of programs that prioritize activities for the 400th. |
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OBJECTIVE 4: ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY | |
Overall outcomeThe committee will have completed the “community commemorations of 400 years of the French presence in Ontario” project efficiently and effectively. | Strategic outcomes associated with the overall outcome The committee, through its members, will have developed new skills. The committee, through its members, will have
established an evaluation system to demonstrate that the outcomes are being achieved. Funders will have given priority to organizations applying for funding for a 400th-themed activity. |
Shared strategies Hire resource people with the necessary skills to carry out the project in light of the priorities established and financial resources available. Consider the possibility of creating sub-
committees to support each step of the project. Identify champions in each region of Ontario. Come to an agreement on the definition of Ontario’s regions. |
Action planNovember – December 2012:Present the final community strategic orientations and the community evaluation framework to funders (strengthening ties).
January to March 2013: Consult with the community and present the plan (raising awareness and strengthening ties).
April 2013 to April 2014: Implement the evaluation framework in anticipation of accreditation. |
EvaluationIndicators: Funding obtained
Committee Human resources recruited Permanent and contract Volunteer Skills acquired Effectiveness Efficiency |