News Release

For immediate release
October 8, 2003

Government of Canada Helps Promote Acadian Culture

Cheticamp, N.S. – The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) announced today, Government of Canada funding, through ECBC, to assist the community of Cheticamp and area prepare for the Acadian World Congress (Congrès mondial acadien), to be held in Nova Scotia in 2004.

La Société Saint-Pierre has received assistance to research, translate, print and circulate four books that are currently not available in French. These books deal with everything from Cheticamp’s Acadian culture, to the history of rug-hooking, the genealogy of Cheticamp’s AuCoin family and the life of famous Cheticamp storyteller Marguerite Gallant.

La Société Saint-Pierre has also been granted financial assistance to cover the cost of hooking a rug which will depict the founding Acadian families of the Cheticamp area and their Acadian history. This rug, which will be done in the traditional Cheticamp hooking style, will be displayed at the cultural centre, Les Trois Poignons, for visiting tourists as well as locals during the 2004 celebrations. Assistance will fund the designs, dyes, and frames needed to tackle the creation of the huge hooked rug, which will be unveiled during the Congress.

The Acadian World Congress is an international celebration of Acadian heritage. Previously held in New Brunswick in 1994 and Louisiana in 1999, the Congress will be celebrated throughout Nova Scotia in August of 2004. It is the biggest cultural event ever held in this province.

“As thousands of visitors get ready to come to Nova Scotia in 2004, promotion of the Acadian culture is more important than ever,” said Rodger Cuzner, MP for Bras d’Or–Cape Breton, speaking on behalf of Minister Byrne. “Publishing books about Cape Breton’s Acadian culture as well as showcasing
rug-hooking to a new audience will promote Cape Breton Island and attract more visitors. That is great news for tourism operators and craftspeople located throughout the Island.”

“The hooked-rug as well as the books will become important tools to provide information on local culture and heritage to visitors as well as members of the community,” said Lisette Cormier, Director General of La Société Saint-Pierre. “These projects will give everyone the opportunity to learn more about Cheticamp’s rich Acadian culture.”

The total estimated cost of the project is $87,500. La Société Saint-Pierre is receiving a non-repayable contribution of $43,750 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency through its Business Development Program. The balance of the project will be funded through Canadian Heritage.

La Société Saint-Pierre is an organization that seeks to preserve the Acadian heritage including local history and language. It also promotes the intellectual, cultural, social and economic interest of Acadians. The Society supports development in the communities of Cheticamp and Saint-Joseph du Moine.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA's programs in Cape Breton and the Mulgrave area.


FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ralph Meechan
Office of the Minister of State for ECBC & ACOA
Tel: (613) 957-9959
Fax: (613) 941-7844

Office of Rodger Cuzner, M.P.
Bras d’Or-Cape Breton
Tel.: (902) 842-9763
Fax: (902) 842-9025

D.A. Landry
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation
Tel: (902) 564 3617

Lisette Cormier
Director General, La Société Saint-Pierre
Tel: (902) 224-2642