OFFICIAL VOYAGEURS

Brigitte (née Sabourin) grew up in the vibrant Franco-Manitoban community of Saint-Norbert. Proud of her heritage, she traces her roots back to the French pioneers who arrived in New France in the 17th century. A direct descendant of the Sabourin, Fontaine, Beaudry, and Laurendeau families, she represents the 14th Canadian generation since their arrival, a heritage that links her personal history to the broader history of Francophonie in Canada. An artist at heart, she has been a singer with the Madrigaïa group, a dancer with the Ensemble folklorique de la Rivière-Rouge, and an actress and director at the Cercle Molière. She studied at the University of Saint Boniface and also obtained her Red Seal in hairdressing, a field that has become another outlet for her creativity. Since childhood, encouraged by her parents to participate in French-language activities, she has developed a deep passion for Francophone culture and its artistic expressions. These experiences have allowed her to strengthen her French, assert her linguistic identity, and find a strong sense of belonging to the Francophone community. Today, as part of an exogamous family, she is committed to passing on this identity to her children, offering them a strong connection to their mother tongue and culture. Recently, Brigitte decided to return to school to become a teacher, convinced that it is now time for her to give back to the community everything she has received.

Born in Winnipeg, Ryan is the first member of his family to be born in Canada. His parents immigrated from Jamaica, bringing with them a deep pride in their Canadian life while preserving their Jamaican roots and heritage. Following in the footsteps of his father and brother, Ryan distinguished himself as a star athlete in track and field. A passionate music lover, he plays the keyboard, guitar, and drums, and is also an accomplished singer. An undisputed master of surprising facts, Ryan has an incredible talent for remembering sports statistics, naming songs and their albums and release years...nothing escapes him. In his professional life, Ryan is an accomplished salesman in the electrical field, but with his deep voice and encyclopedic knowledge, he could have become a world-class radio host. Although he is an English speaker, he amazes those around him with his French. He also attaches great importance to passing on French culture and language to his children. A true master in the art of bringing friends and family together, he always puts them first and infuses every party with a contagious joie de vivre.

Malik is 16 years old and in 11th grade. The first time he set foot at the Festival du Voyageur, he was only two weeks old... and music has been part of his life ever since. An accomplished pianist, he spends hours composing, creating mixes, and entertaining dance floors as a DJ. Passionate about all genres of music, he also dances with the Red River Folk Dance Troupe, where he shares his energy and sense of rhythm. A big fan of video games, Malik is also a master of interesting facts and remembers every statistic thanks to his impeccable memory. He also enjoys participating in track and field training and competitions, where he puts his perseverance and taste for hard work into practice.

Maelle is 14 years old and in ninth grade. Curious and passionate, a born artist, she has a genuine love for all genres of music, which she explores through her guitar, flute, and baryton saxophone, as well as through her headphones, which are almost always glued to her ears. With her 111 carefully curated playlists, she has a soundtrack for every moment of the day. A great lover of words, she spends hours reading and inventing stories. Maelle also likes to express her creativity in the kitchen, where she enjoys preparing original dishes and imagining new flavors. She also finds great pleasure in athletics, a sport that allows her to push herself and stay active, as well as dancing with the Red River Folk Ensemble.