The manuscript is divided into four parts. The first is a summary of the historical events and circumstances that led to the permanent settlement of the French in Newfoundland. The second part is an overview of settlement on the west coast of the Island which includes a discussion of the Acadian French population of the Bay St. Georges region and the conditions which contributed to the decline of their French language and culture. Part three concentrates on Newfoundland's native French population of the Port-au-Port peninsula where the traditional French language have survived to the present. An account of the forging and the peopling of the French communities on the Peninsula is provided, as well as a discussion of the evolution of the French on the Peninsula and the forces that worked against the survival of their native language and culture. Finally, part four describes the defeats and triumphs of French Newfoundlanders in their efforts to effect quality French education.