La Veillée | Fall 2022

Fall 2022

La Relève: La Nouvelle Génération de Musique Louisianaise | Episode 116 | La Veillée

The majority of native speakers of Louisiana French are seniors, and some think this reality could endanger the language’s survival. In Lafayette and its surrounding communities, there is hope in the new generation of young musicians, who not only sing in French but try to live the language and culture daily to keep it alive for future generations.

Ecole St. Landry: French Immersion La Flavor | Episode 112 | La Veillée

Parents interested in French immersion often wonder "what French" is taught in the schools. In Sunset, we learn from teachers and a school leader - all from Louisiana - who prioritize including Louisiana culture and dialect in the classroom at Ecole St. Landry. Arnaudville native Lainey Pickett invited us into her 2nd grade class to show us how her background affects her teaching, and we got to see Eunice native Sarah Savoy share her Cajun roots through music class too. We then delved into the challenges and opportunities of opening a school like Ecole St. Landry with School Founder Lindsay Smythe Doucet of Cameron Parish.

Leblanc Elementary: French Immersion Program | Episode 111 | La Veillée

Vermilion Parish considers itself to be the most Cajun place in the world, but its French immersion program is still just a few years old. In this episode, we learn what makes French immersion unique and why it's critical for keeping alive the rich culture of places like Vermilion. At LeBlanc, 3rd grade student Reed Such Stewart and immersion education coordinator Mario Charest run us through the mechanics of how immersion teachers from around the world help Louisiana students become bilingual. Then, we talk with Mrs. Bonnie Broussard, a community member and native French speaker, on her experience with Cajun language and culture over her lifetime and her involvement with the school today.

Louisiana Creole: A Language of Its Own | Episode 110 | La Veillée

In Louisiana, Louisiana French isn't our only heritage language; Louisiana Creole is another language that is woven into our cultural fabric. In this episode, we talk with two leading experts and advocates for revitalizing the unique yet endangered Louisiana Creole language and passing it on to the next generation. First, college student Taalib Auguste gives us some language lessons and explains the history, variations, and linguistic context of the language. Then, we talk with Herbert Wiltz on his efforts to preserve and develop Louisiana Creole language and culture over the decades, in particular as a co-founder of C.R.E.O.L.E., Inc.

French Radio for Acadiana | Episode 109 | La Veillée

KRVS has been a pillar in French-speaking Louisiana culture for 60 years. We talk with DJs at the station on the station's impact in maintaining the cultural fabric that makes Acadiana and Louisiana so unique. We follow musicians and hosts Cedric Watson and Blake Miller during their shows, learning about their respective approaches to playing and discussing music from Louisiana and around the world. Then, we talked to Marketing Director and Host Megan Brown Constantin on the impact and importance of KRVS in the region's Cajun and Creole music and culture over the years.

French Language in Louisiana | La Veillée

Cameron and Calcasieu: 2 Years After Hurricane Laura | La Veillée

Lower Lafourche: The Coastal Frontline | La Veillée

Saving Rural Schools | La Veillée

Visit Grand Caillou and Catahoula, two small towns fighting to reopen their community schools. Learn more about École Pointe-au-Chien, a success story where a community was able to reopen their school by doubling down on their unique language and culture.

The Renaissance of the Small Town | La Veillée

Louisiana's small towns and cities are at the heart of our shared culture, but many are struggling to retain population and economic activity to remain vibrant for generations to come. The team visits Franklin, Louisiana to explore their revitalization efforts. Plus - how the unique culture of Avoyelles Parish has helped drive a revival there.