On July 8, the Centre culturel franco-manitobain announced the appointment of Patricia Bitu Tshikudi as its new CEO. As CEO, Tshikudi emphasized the importance of protecting francophone identity in Manitoba while celebrating diversity.

In an interview, Tshikudi shared her sense of accomplishment and responsibility in her new role.

“I’m feeling very proud, humble, and I also feel the weight of that in a good way […] I know how important an organization like the Centre culturel is for the French-speakers in Manitoba because we are not only St. Boniface-oriented, but we also [are] Winnipeg-oriented and Manitoba-oriented,” she said.

Tshikudi was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and moved to Montreal with her family at 11 years old. After graduating with a degree in journalism, she moved to Winnipeg in 2007 to work for La Liberté.  She stayed in the city and eventually worked for Radio-Canada for 14 years.

Tshikudi said her background in French-language media helps her understand the character and challenges of the francophone community in Manitoba. For example, Franco-Manitobans are surrounded by English, making it difficult for some to hold onto their language.

“I have daughters, they are nine and ten, and we made the decision for them to only speak and do activities in French, just to protect that element of francophonie for them. And it only took one year of English classes and being in the [English-speaking] world for them to pick up English,” said Tshikudi.

“That’s one of the challenges that, as francophones, we have to face. We have to protect that element of unicity while being open and being just Manitoban as well.”

Alongside her commitment to preserving cultural identity, Tshikudi stressed the changing demographics of the francophonie in Manitoba and her goal of inclusivity in the community as CEO.

“Just in about 20 years, the face of the francophonie has changed so much with imports of people from Africa, from Europe, from North Africa,” she said. “Also, I have to mention all the francophiles […] Those Manitobans who go to immersion school and then get to learn French and embrace the French […] I really love that and I’m a big advocate for that.”

“This is all the French pool that we can tap [into], and give room for everybody to feel home when they come to the Centre culturel because that’s who we are now. We are francophones born here, francophones coming here, and those who just learned the language and love it and embrace the culture.”

Tshikudi said the best way to promote the language is for people to attend French community events and have fun.

“We know how hard it is for the cultural organizations right now across the board around Canada to survive,” she said.

“And the only way we stay relevant and alive, is [by] putting out [programs] that people enjoy and people showing up. That’s all it is. And then you create relationships, friendships and you learn a few French words as well. And that’s how we create a vibrant and beautiful community.”