THIS WEEKEND cultural heritage enthusiasts will gather for the Natchitoches French Table meeting to discuss topics related to the Louisiana French language.
The group’s purpose is to ensure preservation of the Louisiana French language which is made up of collective dialects spoken in Cajun, Creole and American Indian communities throughout the former Louisiana Purchase Territory.
Dustin Fuqua, a cultural resource specialists, said while Louisiana French technically lacks qualifying criteria for threatened or endangered status and significant cultural maintenance must occur now to ensure preservation and reciprocation.
Native speakers, amateurs and heritage enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to attend. The meeting is Saturday, January 12th, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in the Overseer’s House at Magnolia Plantation which is located at 5529 Highway 119 in Derry, Louisiana.
The meeting is hosted by the Cane River Creole National Historical Park. For more information call Dustin Fuqua at 318-352-0383.
Several communities in Louisiana host weekly or monthly French Table meetings. An effort is now underway to establish a French Table meeting series in Natchitoches Parish.