The president of La Société de l'Acadie du Nouveau-Brunswick says the provincial government must actively support French immersion education to ensure the survival of francophone culture in the province.

"Slowly but surely, we're losing our culture," Nicole Arseneau-Sluyter said in an interview with the NB Media Co-op's Lucas Reynolds. She emphasized that maintaining the French language in schools is crucial not just for education but for preserving a way of life that has defined generations of Acadians in New Brunswick.

Immigration, she noted, plays a key role as the education system faces a growing shortage of French teachers. The lack of personnel is not unique to schools but affects many sectors where French language skills are essential.

"We don't have enough coming in, and we don't have enough programs for immigrants to learn French," Arseneau-Sluyter said. She stressed that this gap threatens the vitality of francophone communities and limits opportunities for new immigrants who wish to integrate while maintaining the French language.

She also emphasized the importance of making francophone immigrants feel welcomed in the Acadian community. "The way I feel, if you wanna live in French in New Brunswick, you're part of the Acadian family," she said. This inclusive vision, she explained, strengthens the social fabric of Acadian communities and encourages newcomers to actively participate in cultural and civic life.

Arseneau-Sluyter made the comments while reflecting on the deep history of Acadian culture throughout New Brunswick, particularly highlighting the enduring role of cooperatives in supporting the community. She pointed to examples such as La Caisse populaire acadienne, a network of credit unions also known as UNI Financial Cooperation. These institutions historically empowered Acadian people who were often excluded from anglophone-dominated banking systems, providing essential financial resources and a sense of economic independence.

"Through those years, people worked really, really hard, and still today," she said, noting that the cooperative movement continues to be a cornerstone of Acadian economic and social life. She highlighted the community of Lamèque, on the Acadian peninsula, which is widely recognized as the capital of cooperatives. "So it's still a very important aspect of businesses and Acadians," she said, underscoring the lasting influence of cooperative structures on local culture and commerce.

Arseneau-Sluyter’s reflections serve as a reminder that preserving the French language and Acadian traditions is not just about education; it’s about nurturing a community, welcoming newcomers, and ensuring that cultural institutions like cooperatives remain strong and relevant.

Check out the full interview for more details.