03/16/2026
Tribute to Lucien Loiselle
December 8, 1940 – March 14, 2026
In 2007, Folklore Canada International, the Canadian chapter of CIOFF (International Council of Folklore Festivals and Traditional Arts), paid tribute to Lucien Loiselle to recognize his commitment to and contribution to the intangible cultural heritage and folk arts that shape Canada.
Given Lucien Loiselle’s involvement at both the local and international levels, the North American chapter of CIOFF also decided to honour him by awarding him a CIOFF Silver Medal.
Originally from Saint-Boniface, a Francophone suburb of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Lucien Loiselle is an inspiration and a role model for the transmission and dissemination of intangible cultural heritage. This social sciences professor was an extraordinary cultural leader in his community. Among other things, he revived the Red River Dancers Folk Ensemble in 1970, thus breathing new life into a cultural organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the traditional culture of Manitoba's Francophone minority. Having been a member of the Red River Folk Ensemble, Lucien Loiselle believes that the survival and influence of culture is worth all the effort he devotes to it. "I love my culture and my folklore. I do everything I can to ensure they are protected and remain alive." From 1977 to 1979, he and his wife were the official Voyageurs of the Festival du Voyageur, which has become a major Manitoba event.
In the early 1980s, he also served on the organizing committee of Folklorama, a multi-ethnic festival that is now one of Canada's most important heritage events. In 1987, he received the Manitoba Award from the government, presented by the Department of Culture, Heritage and Recreation, which recognizes various contributions to multiculturalism in the province.
In 1986, Lucien Loiselle co-founded Folklore Canada International. He served as its president for 20 years, from 1986 to 2006. Throughout these two decades, he chaired all the Canadian Conferences on Heritage Expression, held in various cities across Canada. His commitment inspired many Canadian folk associations and ensembles to promote their intangible cultural heritage. His dedication contributed to the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in Canada.
As president of the Canadian section of CIOFF, Lucien Loiselle participated in five World Congresses of the International Council of Folklore Festival and Traditional Arts Organizations (CIOFF), held in various countries. He also served as CIOFF's North American Representative from 2003 to 2006, sitting on the CIOFF Board of Directors.
A significant part of his life was dedicated to preserving, transmitting, and disseminating the intangible cultural heritage of his community and the diverse communities of Canada.
He passed away on March 14, 2026, and we pay tribute to his immense contribution to building the societies of tomorrow in friendship and peace. Our deepest sympathies to his family and the wider community of intangible cultural heritage.
Guy Landry, Honorary Member of CIOFF
