James Domengeaux:

History and origin of CODOFIL:
-Domengeaux realized shortly before 1968 that the French language was disappearing due to encroaching Anglophone influences/Americanization;
-Cajuns were handicapped (illiterate, uneducated, etc.) and blamed it on the French language;
-Louisiana was the last state to succumb to the melting pot in the U.S.;
-Domengeaux had no appeal in the French language, making speeches in Congress;
-Cajuns had not yet overcome the inferiority of the French language;
-Statement from two Quebec students in The Daily Advertiser--destruction of the French language. Numerous people spoke French and nothing was being done about it;
-Petition presented to the Senate and legislature in early 1968 and they agreed to support the creation of the council, but did not appropriate any funds for at least the first two years;
-France Lemay from Quebec;
-Bicentennial of the Acadians, film presented at the Lafayette auditorium by the local heritage committee/chamber of commerce;
-Supper in Baton Rouge inviting Francophone officials from 21 provinces/nations around the world;
-Leo LeBlanc--helped Domengeaux create a Quebec department in Lafayette;
-Prime Minister Bertrand and Governer John Mckesson;
-Legislative funding didn't start until 1970;
-Movement needed to overcome the inferiority of the French-speaking people to the language, support from public as well as school administrators. Create pride in the French language;
-Economic benefit must face reality. Many factors were out of our control here in Louisiana (ex: snowmobiles and maple syrup). Largest has been tourist development;
-Unique and unorthodox methods, never tried before;
-Tourism strictly incidental;
-Desire to keep the French language and making Louisiana bilingual;
-Language as an irritant and being side by side with religion (French Catholics vs. English Anglo-Saxons);
-Approval of Anglo-Saxon people of North Louisiana;
-Boundaries of Francophone Acadiana according to Domengeaux--extremely fertile foundation upon which to build a second language;
-CODOFIL consists of a chairman and 50 members to meet the needs that were read earlier as well as give adequate representation. Completely new enterprise with appointed people who were not dedicated;
-Domengeaux takes responsibility in not giving attention to the organization;
-Getting the council to function more properly and more effectively;
-French television. The board was never appointed because it was never funded. Efforts were made to attain money and licenses, but radio and television requires a great amount of money;
-Representatives in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Monroe;
-Instructional programs in French in Baton Rouge;
-Depending upon sponsors;
-Second language programs in schools. Petitioning used as a last recourse to get these programs and getting an adequate number of teachers. Trying it in L.J. Alleman Middle School as an elective course which is found to be unsatisfactory;
-Lafourche parish schools have been uncooperative? 8 schools petitioned for these types of programs;
-Attitude of the French language changing? Supported unanimously at the beginning of CODOFIL in all their programs. The legislature does not originate the budgets, from the superintendent of education. Administrative officials offering more support;
-Attitude of Louisiana universities to the French renaissance. They've been supportive, but are generally weak in their French departments. They have abandoned the requirements of second languages. Offering little leadership and support;
-Scholarship program in France. Supporting 8 colleges at the present;
-Domengeaux is not greatly concerned with the universities because he believes they should support this French movement. Universities have failed by giving French majors a degree to teach in elementary schools--make students feel like they must teach after graduation;
-Attitude of governments of France, Quebec, Belgium, and other foreign Francophone countries. They understand the potential that we do. French taught in French colonies. Interest as well as monetary aid;
-CODOFIL's refusal to make political waves? More interest and devotion to the French language. Not enough people in Louisiana who are educated in the way to teach the French language. Francophone Louisiana does not have the political power as Quebec does;
-Educational, cultural, and economic reasons are the sole reasons for the French language in Louisiana;

James Domengeaux