Isolement et identité: L'espace vécu dans deux communautés francophones de la Basse-Côte-Nord

Abstract

This research takes a social geography approach to studying different aspects of the lived space of francophones residing in two villages located on Quebec's Lower North Shore: Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon and Tete-a-la-Baleine. These villages are part of an archipelago of isolated communities situated at the eastern end of the province. Though they are located in Quebec, they are closer to Newfoundland and Labrador, with no road network linking them to the rest of the province. For the francophone communities, this geographical isolation is two-fold due to the fact that the Lower North Shore region has a predominantly anglophone population. This thesis explores how this dual isolation shapes identity. We interrelated certain behaviours and perceptions, both geographic and linguistic, as well as feelings of regional belonging and linguistic identity. By focusing on identification as essential to understanding lived space, the main objective of this research is to shed light on this key factor of community vitality in minority isolated locations. With data obtained mainly through a community survey administered to francophones living in each of the study areas, we show that the interrelation of a territorial sense of belonging and linguistic identity can contribute to maintaining and developing the region economically and culturally.