L'Acadie Toujours!

CMA 2009

2009-09-02T05:48:00.000-07:00

For the past five years I looked forward to this year's Congres Mondial Acadien ... and then, at the end, I wasn't able to go.

From Lucie's review, I didn't miss much.

I certainly noticed the problems she did in regards to the organization--or lack thereof.

And it is inexcusable that the organizing committee refused to allow the LeBlancs of Memramcook to host a reunion.

In the end, it was the economy that kept me from attending, just as the economy kept many Canadians from attending the 1999 reunion in Louisiana.

Well, now we look forward to 2014 in Madawaska. Based on Lucie's review of the Caraquet situation, I wonder if Madawaska really has the infrastructure to host an event like this. Are there restaurants and hotels? Can the region host a substantial number of people? Another flop, and the CMA movement may well be dead.

Romeo LeBlanc, RIP

2009-07-11T15:03:00.000-07:00

Roméo LeBlanc, formerly Governor General of Canada, and the first Acadian to hold the position, died June 24. The funeral was held in Memramcook on July 3 (and here).

Overshadowing the death of LeBlanc has been a controversy over whether the Prime Minister of Canada should have received communion at the funeral.

I had the pleasure of meeting LeBlanc in 1999 at the LeBlanc family reunion in Erath, LA, held in conjunction with that year's Congres Mondial Acadien. His body guards pressed close, but he brushed them off and told them to enjoy themselves saying, "I'm with my family."

An Acadian Map

2009-05-14T11:29:00.001-07:00

CapAcadie.com has created a map of where Acadians live--add your name here.

CMA Update: LeBlanc, Melanson, and Bourque Reunion

2009-05-04T08:34:00.000-07:00

Here's the press release. Bummer--it's on August 21--several days after I've already returned home. The previous LeBlanc reunions were held just prior to August 15. To have the CMA climax on August 23 makes no sense--to have these family reunions on August 21 is like celebrating the Fourth of July on Bastille Day.

LeBlancs, Melansons and Bourques get ready: you will be having a reunion at the 2009 Congrès mondial acadien 2009!

(LAFAYETTE, LA - May 4, 2009) With less than 100 days left until the 4^th Congrès mondial acadien kicks off in New Brunswick’s Acadian Peninsula, over 85 Acadian family organizations are preparing their reunions.

The Congrès mondial acadien (CMA) is an international event that brings Acadians of the world together every five years in a different Acadian heartland. The two to three-week event features a diverse program of events such as community fairs, huge outdoor concerts, artistic performances, conferences, family reunions, sport and much more that attract Acadians from Eastern Canada, Louisiana, Québec, France and elsewhere. Seeing as Acadian heritage is the common thread connecting the participants, the family reunion component of the CMA is very popular. Therefore, as the Peninsula prepares, in Louisiana, Cajuns are planning their trips to Canada and their participation in these reunions. However, for the past few months, this southern Acadian community has been troubled by the absence of certain major families from the roster of official CMA Reunions. The Bourque, Melanson and most notably LeBlanc families weren’t planning on getting together for this historic gathering even though at past Congrès’ the LeBlanc reunion attracted thousands. Seeing an opportunity to remedy the situation, Louisiane-Acadie, Inc. decided to lend a hand and take on the challenge of coordinating one event for the three families.

Louisiane-Acadie, whose mandate it is to represent the Acadians of Louisiana on the international stage, took on the project knowing that it could only be successful if it was built on partnerships with organizations and individuals in “Acadie du Nord”. It didn’t take long for Acadian resourcefulness to take effect and numerous partners got involved in this pan-Acadian initiative. Incidentally, a date and evening entertainment were indentified thanks to legendary Acadian band 1755, a venue was secured thanks to the Town of Tracadie-Sheila, participants will be able to get information and register online thanks to Capacadie.com, great Cajun food will be served thanks to Louisiana Office of Tourism and the word will spread like wildfire thanks to CAFA (Confederation of Associations of Families Acadian in Louisiana) and FAFA (Fédération des associations de familles acadiennes in New Brunswick).

“It’s heartwarming to see Acadians coming together to make sure that LeBlancs, Melansons and Bourques also get to have a memorable reunion. When Cajuns need a hand, our Acadian cousins are there and now, we are able to return the favor on a much smaller scale. That being said, there’s no doubt that when there’s a party to be planned, Cajuns are the people you want at the helm!” explains Ray Trahan, President of Louisiane-Acadie, Inc.

Although the details of the day’s events and registration have yet to be finalized, Louisiane-Acadie wanted to announce the news now in order to give participants a chance to plan their trip to the Acadian Peninsula where numerous traditional and less conventional accommodation options are still available. As 1755 band member Roland Gauvin explains, one detail was quickly confirmed. “Since we are performing that night in Tracadie-Sheila, we are happy to offer a 5$ discount on our ticket price to everyone attending the reunion. These families are important branches of our Acadian family tree and we are happy that they will be joining us during our summer tour.”

Stay tuned for further details but in the meantime, mark August 21^ston your calendar.

August 15, 5:55 p.m.

2009-04-05T09:43:00.001-07:00

Why Acadians in New Brunswick honor the moment.

Texas Poutine?

2009-04-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

Judge for yourself.

The Acadian Flag @ 125

2009-03-27T21:18:00.000-07:00

This year is the 125th anniversary of the adoption of the Acadian Flag in Miscouche, PEI. A celebration was held in Saint-Louis-de-Kent, NB, home of Msgr. Marcel-François Richard, who proposed the flag. The story behind the flag.

Chez Yankois

2009-03-27T08:49:00.000-07:00

How did I miss the debut of the new Chez Yankois site? Take a look.

Enfin retrouvés, Chanson thème du CMA 2009

2009-03-26T12:48:00.000-07:00

Protesting Lack of French Signs in Biggest Acadian City

2009-03-20T16:03:00.000-07:00

Dieppe, NB, is the largest Acadian city--and yet no city ordinance requires bilingual signs. Some petitioners are trying to change that.

Michel Belliveau, vice-president of the Fédération d'alphabétisation du Nouveau-Brunswick, a literacy organization, said he finds it frustrating that 80 per cent of Dieppe residents are francophones but only about 50 per cent of the signs in the city are bilingual.

Dieppe Mayor Jean LeBlanc said he understands the concerns but when the petition first came in front of council, councillors said they were in no rush to adopt a sign bylaw. LeBlanc said they want to study how similar bylaws were received in other towns.

Acadian Memorial Festival

2009-03-19T13:25:00.000-07:00

The Acadian Memorial festival will be this Saturday in St. Martinville. Yvon Cyr will be speaking about genealogy. Article.

CMA 2014

2009-03-16T14:45:00.000-07:00

Louisiana would like to host CMA again in 2014; but Madawaska wants it, too. I've heard some would like to see it in France. Well, we'll know in August.

Seal Hunt Protests

2009-03-16T10:09:00.001-07:00

It's that time of year when activist groups around the world protest Canadian seal hunting (here, here, and here).

Few articles mention the fishermen who argue their livelihood depends upon it: Acadians of the Magdalene Islands.

National Geographic does.

Car license plates in Quebec—which includes the Magdalen Islands, or Îles de la Madeleine—bear the legend, Je me souviens, meaning "I remember." The Madelinots, as the 95 percent of islanders who are French-speaking call themselves, do not easily let go of their 250 years of history and traditions. They remember the dark days following 1755 when, fleeing deportation by the British, the islands' founding families made their way from what is now Nova Scotia to start a new life. Though farming folk, these exiled Acadians were forced to turn to the sea for sustenance. Today the fishing industry makes up 80 percent of the islands' economy. A thousand of the 13,000 islanders fish for a living, and a similar number process the catches of lobster, crab, herring, and mackerel.

Madelinot fishermen also remember the two decades of tribulation that began in the 1960s when antihunt campaigners, spearheaded by the International Fund for Animal Welfare and later by Greenpeace, triggered the eventual collapse of the seal trade. Portrayed as murderers and barbarians, fishermen suffered the contempt of the masses as television brought graphic scenes from the ice fields of the North Atlantic into the living rooms of Europe and North America.

Taking part in what had been known as the greatest hunt in the world—an enterprise that in the 19th century had involved more than 13,000 men and 400 sailing ships—was no longer a matter of pride but a mark of shame. Once hailed as "Vikings of the ice," the sealers were now the scum of the earth. The Madelinots' cries of Nous ne sommes pas des bouchers! — We are not butchers! — sounded hollow when accompanied by photographs of upraised clubs and bloodstained ice.

PETA says the seal hunt is "nothing more than a money-making scheme orchestrated by professional fishers." Well, of course! Use PETA's letter-writing form to let Canada know about the need to protect the unique culture of the Magdalene Islands.

Ste-Famille Cemetery

2009-03-16T09:58:00.000-07:00

Lucie posts a talk by John Wilson given at the cemetery's dedication.

CMA Bus Tour

2009-03-15T13:00:00.001-07:00

CAFA and the Acadian Memorial will be sponsoring a bus trip from Louisiana to the Congres Mondial Acadien. Informational meeting March 16.

Acadian Memorial Festival

2009-03-15T12:59:00.001-07:00

Next weekend, March 20 & 21, the Acadian Memorial in St. Martinville will have its annual festival.

C'est la vie!

2009-03-15T12:42:00.000-07:00

I originally started this blog to cover the 2004 Congrès Mondial Acadien. It's 2009, and I haven't posted for a year--too busy on my other blogs.

But it's time to reinvigorate this blog, as the next Congrès Mondial Acadien will take place this summer on New Brunswick's Acadian Peninsula. I attended the 1999 and 2004 gatherings, and hope to make it this year.

The Acadian Exile in Massachusetts

2008-06-23T21:22:00.000-07:00

Check out the on-line exhibit on Le grand derangement at the Massachusetts Archives.

Madawaska Acadian Festival

2008-05-18T21:13:00.000-07:00

The Acadian Festival of Madawaska, Maine, is coming up; it's running June 22 to 29. I'll be in Maine at the end of the week, but I'll be in Freeport, over six hours away.

Acadians in Maine

2008-05-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

A Maine webpage looks at Franco-Americans in the state.

250th Anniversary of Expulsion from PEI

2008-05-05T10:07:00.000-07:00

The Acadians of Ile Saint-Jean (now known as Prince Edward Island) were expelled by the British three years after the expulsions from Nova Scotia. Locals are preparing for celebrations.

Support for CMA?

2008-03-30T22:24:00.001-07:00

The Canadian Government has announced that it will support next year's fourth Congres Mondial Acadien.

The question is, will Acadians? I've heard nothing about a LeBlanc reunion, which has been the largest reunion at the previous CMAs. I've asked people who should know, but so far it seems no LeBlancs are picking up the ball to run with it.

A Find at Grand-Pre

2008-03-30T22:22:00.000-07:00

Silver Cross reveals a piece of Acadian history.

Loups Marins--and a Boating Tragedy

2008-03-30T22:06:00.000-07:00

I was taken aback when I first saw the recipe for galettes au petit-lard de loup marin in the cookbook, A Taste of Acadie, by Marielle Cormier-Boudreau and Melvin Gallant. Seal fat cookies? The description of the recipe notes that they are popular on the Magdalen Islands, as well as in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Acadians in the Maritimes have been hunting seals for centuries, having learned it from the native peoples. It's an unbroken tradition in the Magdalen Islands, whose Acadians were not dispersed in 1755. My great-great-great grandparents, Hilaire Gautrot and Domithilde LeBlanc, lived there for awhile, but that's the only family connection I know of.

Why is this on my mind? It's the peak time for the annual seal hunt--and for protests by PETA and other animal rights organizations.

And this year there has been a human tragedy--a boating accident yesterday that left four fishermen dead. A boat based in the Magdalen Islands, L'Acadien II, lost its rudder, and overturned while being towed back. The government is investigating. The families are mourning
--and are angry at the Coast Guard, and demanding explanation.

Acadian Christmas Traditions

2007-12-27T18:50:00.000-08:00

PEI Writers' Guild has a post about the release of a book, Acadian Christmas Traditions, by Georges Arsenault.

Réveille!

2007-11-14T15:00:00.000-08:00

Video of Zachary Richard and friends performing "Réveille" at the 1994 Congrès Mondial Acadien.

August 15--the Acadian National Day

2007-08-14T15:25:00.001-07:00

This time each year the newspapers are filled with tales of Acadie in celebration of the Acadian National Day. Here's a sampling:

Canada

Acadian National Day to be celebrated at W. Pubnico museum.
Excavation uncovers Acadian aboiteau (Amherst).
Acadian tradition celebrated in Minudie (Blessing of the Crops).
Acadian National Day at Grand-Pre.
Cheticamp Ready to Celebrate.

Louisiana

Day of activities commemorates Cajun culture (St. Martinville).
Celebrating Acadian culture (Vermilionville).
C'est Vrai: Lawmakers asked for medal for bicentennial of Acadians' expulsion (back in 1955)

On Longfellow's Bicentenniel

2007-05-24T10:38:00.001-07:00

Story of fictional Evangeline evokes emotions in Acadians.

Research on Usher Syndrome

2007-02-09T21:04:00.000-08:00

The Sound of Hope: New research helps the fight against a rare disease that afflicts descendants of the original Acadians.

New DVD

2007-02-06T16:01:00.001-08:00

The Story of the Acadians.

Ethnic slurs

2007-02-04T20:57:00.000-08:00

Storm about use of the derogatory term "coonass" (a slur against Acadians) by Alabama coach Nick Saban. Saban gave a non-apology apology, saying he could "understand how some would take offense." But afterwards he claimed "It's a term of endearment down in Louisiana." Erath attorney Warren Perrin, president of CODIFIL, however, says, "It is highly offensive."

"The most insulting and derogatory term levied against Acadians is the term 'coonass,' Perrin wrote. "The use of this offensive term re-affirms negative stereotypes and its vestiges of pre-civil rights era racial discrimination. This insulting slang was never a proud or complimentary term affixed to the Acadian people. We will not tolerate the use of this racial slur which has pejorative connotations."

Perrin also cited the Roach vs. Dresser Industrial Valve and Instrument lawsuit of 1980 in which an employee was allegedly terminated for protesting his superiors' use of the term coonass.

"The case resulted in a federal judge declaring Cajuns a bona fide minority group protected by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and thus protection from ethnic slurs like "coonass," Perrin said.

Perrin added that in 1981 that the Louisiana Legislature condemned the use of coonass.

"Cajuns over the years have been successful in discouraging the term's use, both by non-Cajuns and fellow Cajuns alike," Perrin said. "It's just not good for people visiting Louisiana to hear that word either. You can't get away from the vulgarity of the second part of the word."

Here and here.

Talking Acadian

2007-02-04T20:55:00.000-08:00

John Chetro-Szivos, of Fitchburg, MA, has written Talking Acadian: Communication, Work and Culture.

The book provides a look into the lives of French-Speaking American Acadians, particularly those who left eastern Canada to settle in Massachusetts in the 1960s. It begins with a description of a fall fair at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Gardner and goes on to explain the role of the church in the ethnic identity of the Acadian community.

CMA -- 2014!

2007-02-04T20:53:00.000-08:00

Lafayette is starting its campaign to bring the Congres Mondial Acadien back to La Louisiane in 2014.

But some have been hoping for some time that we'd be going to France for a CMA.

New blog

2006-09-07T03:56:00.000-07:00

Lucie LeBlanc Consentino has a blog: Acadian Ancestral Home.

Acadian Day in Nova Scotia

2006-08-19T21:52:00.000-07:00

Proud to be an Acadian--on this year's celebrations in Nova Scotia.

Latest discoveries at Grand-Pre

2006-08-19T21:49:00.000-07:00

Significant Acadian artifacts found: Archeologists believe they may point to site of deportation

Acadian children

2006-08-14T06:59:00.000-07:00

Day of the Acadians remembers the children

Homestead of Daniel LeBlanc

2006-08-07T18:51:00.000-07:00

Canadian artist Daniel LeBlanc has created a watercolor painting of the Homestead of Daniel LeBlanc, and is making limited edition prints available. Click on the link for more info.

Madawaska

2006-07-07T21:28:00.000-07:00

Acadian Festival opens in Madawaska, Aroostook County, ME.

Acadian Village

2006-07-07T21:27:00.000-07:00

Acadian Village in Lafayette, LA, recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.

PS: It's a hoax.

2006-05-01T19:34:00.000-07:00

60 Minutes takedown of The Priory Of Sion.

Halifax's Grou Tyme cancelled

2006-04-30T11:39:00.000-07:00

Axing Grou Tyme upsets Acadian communities.

The Chinese of the Eastern States

2006-04-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

I've transcribed and posted to my webpage much documentation related to the 19th controversy over Carroll Wright's reference to French Canadians as the Chinese of the Eastern States.

C. Mel Surette

2006-04-29T08:41:00.000-07:00

Fr. C. Melvin Surette of the Archdiocese of Boston was removed from ministry in 1995 because of charges of inappropriate conduct with young men. He was then given a job in the chancery, where his job was to find jobs for other priests who had been accused, including Fr. Ron Paquin--he was kind of the fox guarding the henhouse, you might say. This ended in 2000. Surette, living in the Peabody area, keeps busy these days writing for Acadian and French Canadian genealogy newsletters, and speaking at conferences on this topic. I met him at the Congres Mondial Acadien in 2004. The link above will take you to a Google search.

Only 3 more years!

2006-03-30T19:45:00.000-08:00

CMA 2009.

Museum mounts binational exhibition on Seven Years' War

2006-03-30T18:27:00.000-08:00

Museum mounts binational exhibition on Seven Years' War; Clash of Empires: The War That Made Canada 1754-1763, will start at Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, and will end up at the Smithsonian.

More idiotic headlins

2005-10-23T14:07:00.000-07:00

Scout.com: Fear and Loating in Cajun Country. I'm not sure what "loating" is -- but there's nothing in this article about "Cajun Country."

Say what????

2005-10-23T14:05:00.000-07:00

Louisiana loses French flavor after hurricanes: Many fear Cajun, Creole inhabitants will never return
. What complete idiocy! More due to ignorance of the headline writer of the content of the article than to the article itself, which is an old AP story that I linked to a few weeks ago.

From Maine ...

2005-10-23T14:02:00.000-07:00

UMFK board hears about Acadian Archives.

Boston Globe on Erath damage

2005-10-23T14:01:00.000-07:00

In La., Acadian museum presses on - The Boston Globe.

Disaster Strikes Acadian Museum

2005-10-04T09:55:00.000-07:00

Disaster Strikes Acadian Museum (photos)

The Acadian Museum of Erath and its annex on Lake Pigneur was flooded by waters from Hurricane Rita. On Sunday September 25, 2005, the US Marines provided the man power and use of their truck to enter the floodwaters covering town of Erath, the Erath Fire Deptartment , with the help of Erath Mayor George Dupuis, and Erath Chief of Police Steve Peltier (and some good Samaritans), museum directors Warren Perrin, Mary Perrin and Jean Ouellet led an effort that successfully "rescued" the priceless Queen's Royal Proclamation, whereby Queen Elizabeth for the first time in history acknowledged the wrongs done to the Acadian people during the Acadian Deportation in 1755. Along with removing the Proclamation, the rescue effort managed to also save a truck load of museum artifacts, including priceless photographs, clothing, materials and maps from the Acadian Museum of Erath. The artifacts and materials are safely stored in the Lafayette home of Warren and Mary Perrin where they are being dehumidified under the direction of the Louisiana State Archive's, including Director Dr. Florent Hardy and Doug Harrison and UL Art Museum's Joyce Penn. Photographs of the rescue are on the Acadian Museum website. Museum employees and directors are making futher arrangements to continue retriving and preserving the remaining materials which are threathened by exposure to the elements exposure to heat and dampness, both which promote the growth of mold and mildew.. Maintaince Suprivisor of the museum, Ron Miguez, is organizing the effort to remove the water, debris and sediment form the building. Anyone wishing to volunteer with the preservation efforts are asked to call Darylin Barrousse at 337-237-8500.

From Warren Perrin in Erath

2005-10-03T20:45:00.000-07:00

Good to hear from you. DL was lucky not to have water in his house; it came within 2 inches. We had major damage in the Acadian Museum--loss about 2000 books and files etc. The French Ambassador to the US came for a visit on Sat. We are seeking donations. There were stories in the Morning Advocate (Sept. 29th "Erath, Delcanbre..") and Sunday's Advertiser (Recusing pieces of Acadian's past) about the US Marines helping us save the most impt. materials. Visit our web site and you will be able to find out more info. to send to your friends and readers. It should be on the site in a day or so.
Warren A. Perrin

Some Rita pictures from SW Louisiana

2005-10-03T20:43:00.000-07:00

Josh LeBlanc has pictures of the flooding in Vermilion Parish.

"In Vermilion Parish, they didn't wait for the cavalry"

2005-10-02T07:43:00.000-07:00

Cajuns roll up sleeves, hustle to save their lifeblood.

So, as Hurricane Rita turned homes into swamps, roads into waterways and fences into memories, the cattlemen and rice growers, oil workers and alligator farmers of Vermilion Parish didn't need government to tell them what to do: They launched rescue boats from front yards and high-water trucks to pull their neighbors to safety.
And as the tidal surge receded, they advanced, using airboats, trucks and horses to round up thousands of stranded, loose cows and bulls, fighting to keep the livestock – their livelihood – from plunging off the high road into submerged sidetracks.

Erath by Boot

2005-10-01T19:22:00.000-07:00

Flood waters can't dampen the spirits of Erath's own.

DL snuck out the back door

2005-10-01T19:20:00.000-07:00

Times of Acadiana reports that D.L. Menard is doing fine.

Hurricane Rita couldn't stop D.L. Menard. Erath's most famous resident, whose face is on the town mural, waited out the storm in Scott. Despite water in his house, Menard was in his usual good spirits the Monday afterwards.

Parish by parish summary

2005-10-01T06:51:00.001-07:00

HoustonChronicle.com - NEWS FROM LOUISIANA

Governor decries 'red tape' in visit of towns hit by Rita

2005-10-01T06:51:00.000-07:00

"We need help"

2005-10-01T06:49:00.000-07:00

Governor Blanco visits Erath.

LeBlanc and other Erath residents were frustrated by not having Federal Emergency Management Agency officials in town and only a small presence from the American Red Cross. National Guard soldiers dropped food, water and ice in the town, but mostly local volunteers distributed it.

"Man bites hurricane"

2005-09-30T20:52:00.000-07:00

Michael Graham at "Jewish World Review" writes of differences between Katrina and Rita aftermath, and between folks in SE Louisiana and those in SW. Not sure I would agree entirely, but there are some striking differences in the ways people have responded.

Other comments on the piece here.

TownOnline.com - Marshfield Mariner - Arts & Lifestyle

2005-09-30T20:45:00.000-07:00

Winslow House symposium tells Acadians' story

The Province of Massachusetts Bay led the charge to remove the Acadians from what was now known as Nova Scotia (New Scotland) in 1755.

The Patriot Ledger at SouthofBoston.com

2005-09-30T20:43:00.000-07:00

Exiled: 250 years after Acadian 'derangement'; Symposium to explore 1755 deportation.

Winslow remains a controversial figure. Schmidt says his diaries suggest that he didn't relish the project, and did what he could to keep families and hamlets on the same ships, despite frenzied boarding.
Faragher sees a different man in the journal entries - an ambitious officer who wanted to impress the British high command in London, in hopes of securing a prestigious wartime appointment. He says Winslow also acted as an informal real-estate broker for land-hungry Yankees.
‘‘He does express some discomfort, but he was enthusiastic about that assignment,'' Faragher said. ‘‘He was one of the perpetrators.''

Expulsion of Acadians examined - The Boston Globe

2005-09-30T20:41:00.000-07:00

Expulsion of Acadians examined - General Winslow played key role.

In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the expulsion of the French Acadians from Nova Scotia, the Isaac Winslow House, at 634 Careswell St., Marshfield, is hosting a daylong symposium Saturday titled ''Beyond Longfellow's epic poem Evangeline: The Acadian Odyssey and the Role of New England." Eight historians who have studied various aspects of the Acadians and their expulsion will take part in the symposium.

Damage at Erath Acadian Museum

2005-09-30T20:28:00.000-07:00

2theadvocate.com: News - Vermilion mops up after flooding 09/29/05:

A block over at the Acadian Museum, founder Warren Perrin pulled out stacks of Cajun history books, maps and stacks of files with names like 'Truman Visits Abbeville Photographs,' 'Vermilion Parish Railroads,' and 'Thibodeaux Family Genealogy.'
All were stacked in a heap behind the museum, destined for the trash. Perrin said everything within 15 inches of the floor was soaked.
'They weren't letting anyone in on Sunday, but we managed to get in with the help of the Marines,' Perrin said. 'They gave us an hour. We got a truckload of the rarest items.'
Perrin said he trudged through about 6 inches of mud and grabbed most of the Acadian textiles held by the museum 'and as many of the original maps that we could carry.'

Above the floods: Avery Island

2005-09-28T16:33:00.000-07:00

On salt dome "island," Tabasco plant was safe from Rita's floods.

"Where Bayou towns stood, only Bayou remains"

2005-09-28T10:01:00.000-07:00

"Rita scraped away entire towns as it made its way across the region."

More pictures

2005-09-28T05:29:00.000-07:00

Hurricane Rita Images

"Total devastation"

2005-09-28T05:26:00.000-07:00

Erath Residents Visit Damaged Homes.

In Rita's Path

2005-09-27T17:29:00.000-07:00

In Rita's Path -- photos at LA Times.

Photo

2005-09-27T17:05:00.000-07:00

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Erath.

Hurricane photos from SW Louisiana

2005-09-27T17:01:00.000-07:00

Hurricane photos from throughout SW Louisiana.

A watery search in Cajun country

2005-09-27T15:28:00.000-07:00

Worldandnation: A watery search in Cajun country

'Whole communities are gone' in Louisiana

2005-09-27T15:26:00.000-07:00

'Whole communities are gone' in Louisiana--including mention of Erath.

Townspeople survive - but not the towns

2005-09-27T15:24:00.000-07:00

Townspeople survive - but not the towns

Rebuilding after Rita

2005-09-27T15:23:00.000-07:00

Globe and Mail on the commitment to rebuild in SW Louisiana. One feature, Holly Beach (the "Cajun Riviera") has been wiped out: "Holly Beach is no longer there. The only structure left there is the water tower. Holly Beach is now just a sand flat."

NOAHLEANS.com

2005-09-27T15:20:00.000-07:00

NOAHleans.com -- New Orleans And Houston (NOAH) Employment and Relocation Aid for Musicians Displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Zachary Richard on Katrina

2005-09-27T15:18:00.000-07:00

Zachary Richard - Monthly Report - 2005, on devastation caused by Katrina.

Mud invades homes in Delcambre, Erath

2005-09-27T15:16:00.000-07:00

Mud invades homes in Delcambre, Erath. Erath was the location of the LeBlanc Reunion during the 1999 Congres Mondial Acadien.

"Washing away the Cajun culture"?

2005-09-27T15:15:00.000-07:00

Newsday.com: Washing away the Cajun culture. Too pessimistic. If Acadians survived Le Grand Derangement, those in Louisiana will survive a hurricane. This is hardly the first.

Winslow House

2005-09-08T19:23:00.000-07:00

Winslow House Symposium Oct. 1 on Le Grand Derangement.

New Orleans cooking

2005-09-08T19:22:00.000-07:00

New Orleans' precious, imperiled culinary legacy

Canada's Support and Assistance to the U.S. in Wake of Hurricane Katrina

2005-09-08T19:20:00.000-07:00

More on sympathy for plight of Katrina victims based on Acadian heritage.

The New Orleans accent

2005-09-08T19:14:00.000-07:00

Why Do People in New Orleans Talk That Way?

PEI Acadians eager to welcome Katrina victims

2005-09-08T19:13:00.000-07:00

P.E.I. premier says his province ready to help victims of Katrina

Madawaska Acadians

2005-09-05T14:50:00.000-07:00

Acadians in Maine, Louisiana renew bond.

September 5, 1755

2005-09-05T14:48:00.000-07:00

Today is the 250th anniversary of the expulsion of the Acadians--Le Grand Derangement. On this day John Winslow addressed the men of Grand-Pre, locked in the church of St. Charles-des-Mines:

Gentlemen, - I have received from his Excellency, Governor Lawrence, the King's Commission which I have in my hand, and by whose orders you are conveyed together, to Manifest to you His Majesty's final resolution to the French inhabitants of this his Province of Nova Scotia, who for almost half a century have had more Indulgence Granted them than any of his Subjects in any part of his Dominions. What use you have made of them you yourself Best Know.
The Part of Duty I am now upon is what though Necessary is Very Disagreeable to my natural make and temper, as I Know it Must be Grievous to you who are of the Same Speciea.
But it is not my business to annimadvert, but to obey Such orders as I receive, and therefore without Hesitation Shall Deliver you his Majesty's orders and Instructions, Vist:
That your Land & Tennements, Cattle of all Kinds and Livestocks of all Sorts are forfeited to the Crown with all other your effects Savings your money and Household Goods, and you yourselves to be removed form this Province.
Thus it is Preremtorily his Majesty's orders That the whole French Inhabitants of these Districts be removed, and I am Through his Majesty's Goodness Directed to allow you Liberty to Carry of your money and Household Goods as Many as you Can without Discommoding the Vessels you Go in. I shall do Every thing in my Power that all those Goods be Secured to you and that you are Not Molested in Carrying of them of, and also that whole Family Shall go in the Same Vessel, and make this remove, which I am Sensable must give you a great Deal of Trouble, as Easey as his Majesty’s Service will admit, and hope that in what Ever part of the world you may Fall you may be Faithful Subjects, a Peasable & Happy People.
I Must also Inform you That it is his Majesty’s Pleasure that you remain in Security under the Inspection and Direction of the Troops that I have the Honr. to Command.

It was the uprooting and attempt to destroy a people. They weren't a large people at the time--perhaps 10,000 or so were deported (fewer than the number of people on cots in the Astrodome today). But that doesn't matter. This was the result of a policy, created in Halifax and Boston, to systematically eradicate a population. From Grand-Pre, Piziquid, Cobequid, Annapolis Royal, Beaubassin, and other villages the exiles were marched, their homes in flame, their animals crying for them; families ripped apart; scattered to the winds.

Most of my ancestors were in the Beaubassin area, and fled to Ile-St-Jean (Prince Edward Island) or up the Peticodiac River to Mirimichi. Those on Ile-St-Jean were eventually rounded up. Some of those who fled north made it to Quebec; others, after starving through the winter, made their way south and were captured. Some were deported to France; some of these died on the way, the rest died in France of disease. Some were imprisoned in what is best described as a concentration camp at the former Ft. Beausejour.

But they survived. They returned to the Beaubassin area, to Cheticamp and to the Peticodiac. Some of their cousins went from France to Santo Domingo, and then, courtesy of the Spanish king, to La Louisiane. They survived all that the cruelty of man could devise, and flourished, and retained a sense of national identity.

The resilience of humanity to disaster--a good thing to remember today.

Iles de la Madeleine

2005-08-30T18:28:00.000-07:00

Unwired & unwind--Cape Cod paper looks at the Iles de la Madeleine. Photo caption refers to the "Arcadian Flag."

Katrina bearing down on Louisiana

2005-08-28T08:17:00.000-07:00

Storm could be Category 5 before coming ashore. New Orleans officials say, "Get out!" Update: Katrina upgrades to Category 5--New Orleans orders immediate mandatory evacuation of the entire city.

Bias against Franco-Americans in New England remains

2005-08-27T20:58:00.000-07:00

Franco-American dialogue. Bowdoin College webpage said of Portland, Maine: "Unpopular suburbs include Old Orchard Beach, unless you are a dirty French Canadian." The administration is embarrassed. Another story.

A review of "Grand-Pre" musical

2005-08-26T08:45:00.000-07:00

'Grand Pre' makes us all proud. The critic makes one major gaffe:

Set in Grand Pre, Nova Scotia, in 1755, the play centers on the Romeo and Juliet-like relationship between a young Anglo-Saxon girl (Ashley Lopez) and her Acadian boyfriend (John Oliver).

Sorry, Ray--you got that reversed. She's Acadian, his father is an Englishman married to an Acadian. Otherwise, a good review.

Were they reading this blog?

2005-08-23T20:06:00.000-07:00

Evangeline's trials becoming a tale of two movies 08/22/05 -- looks at the travails of Joe Castille, whose take-off, "Evangeline: A True Love Story," is delayed, and the hopes of Joe Reed, who wants to film a story of the deportation, with the myth of Evangeline less important.

Clive Doucet, Acadian Homecoming

2005-08-22T18:50:00.000-07:00

Clive Doucet, Acadian Homecoming; memento of the 2004 Congres Mondial Acadien.

Canadian government going down ...?

2005-08-22T15:22:00.000-07:00

Trouble in Canada: NDP is sending the Liberals on their way.

Louisiana native to shoot film based on 'Evangeline'

2005-08-21T15:23:00.000-07:00

Another story of someone who wants to film Evangeline. So did another fellow, who said his movie was going to be out in September 2005.

Protestant Evangelization of French Canadians

2005-08-20T19:51:00.000-07:00

Protestant Evangelization of French Canadian Immigrants in 19th Century New England.

When you're on the Gulf Coast ...

2005-08-20T19:41:00.000-07:00

Be sure to tune in Sunday mornings on KLVI to Tee Bruce's Cajun Jamboree. It's a hoot.

Grou Tyme in Halifax

2005-08-18T20:07:00.000-07:00

7th Grou Tyme fest marks anniversary of Acadian expulsion

"Beyond Evangeline"

2005-08-17T20:19:00.000-07:00

Michel Doucet (28 Oct. 2002) comments on the Manifeste Beaubassin.

And from Acadiana ...

2005-08-16T15:29:00.000-07:00

Day of Acadians -- focus on paintings of Mary Anne de Boisblanc at the Acadian Memorial.

"Acadians celebrate culture"

2005-08-16T15:28:00.000-07:00

New Brunswick report on Acadian Day celebrations.