Creoles Sans Limites is an informal organization dedicated to the preservation of the Creole language and culture. During the late 1980's and early 1900's several members of the Slidell area Creole speaking community gathered to discuss the decline of the Creole language. Many customs practiced by parents and grandparents of current residents had long since been lost. It was determined , that if some action was not taken to restore the culture , specifically the language, within the next ten years or so, all would be lost. Therefore, several Creole speaking and non-Creole speaking members of the community agreed to meet to determine an approach to teaching the Creole language and customs. This founding group consisted of ten people, who are listed separately.
Initially, Creole lessons were given each Saturday at 6 pm at the meeting room on the St. Genevieve church grounds. Lessons soon became more structured and were conducted at the auxiliary building, also on church grounds, on the second Tuesday of each month. By then, the group had grown to approximately twenty-five people. Also, it was concluded that practice only once a month was not conducive to language retention. In order to enhance retention and to restore some of the old Creole custom of house parties, classes were additionally conducted on each fourth Tuesday at individual club members' homes, on a rotational basis. It was also determined that training could be intensified by use of a self-developed audiotape. Through the efforts of Doris Torregano and Mary Battle, an audiotape of the Creole language, as it is spoken today, was developed. The tape consists of materials translated from English to Creole and then to French, and provides an excellent Creole/French comparison.
Creoles Sans Limites has presented several anniversary programs since its inception. Each celebration has consisted of displays of Creole and Native American artifacts, architectural pictures of old homes in the community, food, refreshments, and dining.
Creoles Sans Limites has not limited its activities in promoting Creole culture to the Slidell area. It has participated in activities of the groups Creole Incorporated of Lafayette, LA. and St. Augustine Historical Society of the Cane River community Isle Brevelle, LA. The group participated in the 1997 Louisiana Creole Heritage Day sponsored by Creole Incorporated. Contributions included presentations on early Creole life, the good and the bad, coupled with story telling and Creole music. Attendance and involvement in other cultural activities sponsored by Creole Incorporated at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, with a similar agenda, terminated another successful year in 1998.
In the year 2001, Creoles sans Limites again committed to participate in Louisiana Creole Heritage Day in Natchez, Louisiana. As part of the events, the group presented two plays incorporating use of the Creole language and the cultural relations between children and their elderly relatives. These participations were in concert with St. Augustine Historical Society. Activities were held on the beautiful grounds of old historic St. Augustine Catholic Church in Isle Brevelle.
Locally, Creoles sans Limites has participated in the efforts of Slidell Heritage Festival and of Guardians of Slidell History. The group expects to continue these joint efforts in the future.
CHARTER MEMBERS
Doris Faciane Torregano
Marshal Troullier
Laura Narcisse
Salvadore and Albertine Galatas
Mary Pichon Battle
Peter Cousin (Lacombe)
Udell Jackson
Edwin and Isabella Cousin
CURRENT OFFICERS
President: Melvin White
Vice President:Doris Torregano
Secretary: Albertine Galatas
Treasurer: Andrella Morris
Financial Asst: Mary Eunette Battle