|
|
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
|