Beach Grove Home, P.E.I. French Health Network work together to mark National Acadian Day

The Prince Edward Island French Health Network (PEIFHN) assisted in organizing festivities for residents at Beach Grove Home in Charlottetown on Aug. 15 to mark the annual National Acadian Day.

The activity was part of efforts to improve Frenchlanguage services for Francophone residents of long-term care homes on the Island.

Jennifer Jelley, who oversaw the event at Beach Grove Home, was responsible for hosting the festivities in both official languages.

“The group effort and involvement of the staff were plain to see at this event, which is part of an initiative launched in April 2017 to enhance services in French at Beach Grove Home,” she said.

“We were thrilled by the success of the first National Acadian Day celebrations to be held at Beach Grove.”

At least 40 residents, many of them francophone, along with staff members, students, volunteers and family members, took part in the celebration organized outdoors in one of the home’s courtyards.

After Jelley welcomed everyone, a “tintamarre” or traditional noise parade was held featuring children from the day care, accompanied by fiddler Zakary Cormier and step dancer Kaylee Arsenault. One employee could not resist jumping up and dancing a jig to the lively music. The participants then enjoyed asty sweets decorated in Acadian colours.

“This shows the importance for the French Health Network of continuing to foster partnerships and seek solutions targeting the increased presence of French in our public institutions,” said Élise Arseneault. “We are doing this both for the current residents and for those who will come after them.”