FOLKLORE AND FOLKLORISTS OF LE DÉTROIT

FOLKLORE AND FOLKLORISTS OF LE DÉTROIT

Like Francophones everywhere else in the province, French-Canadians from both sides of the Detroit River have preserved a traditional folklore that is rich and fascinating. Due to the age of the community - this is in fact the oldest permanent European settlement in what is now Ontario - this folklore is especially significant. Some of the elements found here are unknown in the rest of French Canada; even when they are, the local versions can be very different, reflecting the unique historical character of this isolated corner of la francophonie.

In spite of this, most folklorists have overlooked the rich vein of French oral heritage running along both banks of the Detroit River. In this section, we will examine the work of three people who recognized the value of this legacy.