Our Lady of Sorrows Welcomes the Lieutenant Governor
A Celebration of La Francophonie and Cultural Identity
The Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board (NPSC) was honoured to welcome the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Elementary School in Sturgeon Falls.
Organized in partnership with Canadian Parents for French, the visit marked the Month of La Francophonie and celebrated the French language and culture that is alive and well across many of our NPSC schools.
The visit also provided an opportunity to reflect on the connections between language, identity, and belonging within Catholic education and the communities we serve. In welcoming the Lieutenant Governor, students of Our Lady of Sorrows immediately demonstrated what makes their school community so unique and special by singing O Canada in the three languages that bring vibrancy to their classrooms — Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe), French, and English — along with American Sign Language.
The moving performance was a powerful expression of cultural pride and inclusion, reflecting the diversity that strengthens the school as well as its communities. Following the welcome, the Lieutenant Governor participated in a school-wide tour led by Principal Stacey Malette. The tour was attended by NPSC Director of Education Paula Mann, Board Chair Shawn Fitzsimmons, Executive Director of Canadian Parents for French (Ontario) Betty Gormley, and West Nipissing Mayor Kathleen Thorne Rochon.
The first stop was Ms. Candace Fisher’s Anishinaabemowin language classroom, where students proudly showcased their growing proficiency through song, prayer, and conversation. The Lieutenant Governor actively engaged in the lesson — singing along, practicing pronunciation, and asking thoughtful questions — and expressed admiration for the students’ confidence and skill. The tour continued in Mme Valerie Liard’s Intermediate French class, where the Lieutenant Governor spoke with students about her constitutional, ceremonial, and community role as the Crown’s representative in Ontario. She explained how her work includes supporting responsible government, welcoming visiting dignitaries, and recognizing individuals whose contributions strengthen communities across the province.
She also emphasized the importance of listening to one another’s experiences, building connections, and coming together to celebrate and honour the people and histories that shape our province.
In Mme Anne-Marie Fox’s Grade 2/3 French class, students delighted guests with an energetic French song performed in a lively call-and-response style. Their enthusiasm filled the room, with students singing confidently and joyfully, bringing smiles to the faces of all those who were watching. The visit concluded with a presentation and discussion, during which Principal Stacey Malette shared more about Our Lady of Sorrows’ French and Anishinaabemowin language programs.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary later this spring, the school has long served as a community hub where students are encouraged to learn openly about culture, language, and identity in a welcoming and faith-filled environment.
The discussion was attended by those who had participated in the school tour, along with NPSC Superintendents of Education Jody Weller and Audrey Gribbons, French Second Language Coordinator Jeff Goulet, and Teachers Laura O’Hagan and Lisa Faubert. “Our Lady of Sorrows is a unique and welcoming community, known for its warmth and the strong sense of safety and belonging felt the moment you walk through our doors,” said Principal Stacey Malette. “We take great pride in our trilingual and tricultural identity, and we honour language and culture as meaningful pathways to identity, connection, and community.” “As a Catholic school board, we are entrusted with stewarding schools that reflect dignity, respect, and care for the whole person,” said Board Chair Shawn Fitzsimmons. “It was a true privilege to share those values with the Lieutenant Governor.”
At the very end of the visit, Our Lady of Sorrows Indigenous Graduation Coach Mr. Jordan Mowat dedicated an Anishinaabe Honour Song to the Lieutenant Governor. Her Honour expressed that she was deeply moved by the gesture, describing it as a significantly meaningful gift. In her closing remarks, the Lieutenant Governor reflected on the importance of taking the time — as individuals and as communities — to come together, slow down, and share parts of ourselves with one another in order to better support and understand each other.
“We were deeply humbled to welcome the Honourable Edith Dumont to Our Lady of Sorrows for a celebration of community and shared identity,” said Director of Education Paula Mann. “Our students so clearly showed what can flourish when learning spaces celebrate their languages and cultures, honour who they are, and invite them to grow with confidence and pride.” The Month of La Francophonie provided a meaningful context within which to recognize and celebrate culture, while reflecting on themes of identity and belonging.
The visit of the Lieutenant Governor to Our Lady of Sorrows offered a moment to recognize the role Catholic schools play in nurturing understanding, inclusion, and connection within the communities they serve.
The Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board extends its sincere gratitude to the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, the students and staff of Our Lady of Sorrows, Canadian Parents for French, and the Municipality of West Nipissing for helping to make this visit possible.
