Acadian Communities Receive a Total of $1,000,000 to Celebrate Their Culture

As part of Canada 150, the Government of Canada is investing $1,000,000 to support events and celebrations of Acadian culture, including National Acadian Day, in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador

MONCTON, July 12, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced $1,000,000 in funding for 59 projects for National Acadian Day celebrations and related activities in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

This includes funding for the Festival acadien de Caraquet ($400,000 for its project Viens voir le pays) and for Grand-Pré 2017 ($250,000 for its project Un rassemblement de paix et d'amitié du peuple mi'kmaq et du peuple acadien). The remainder of the funding will support celebrations in 57 communities across the Atlantic provinces.

Thanks to the Canada 150 Fund, Canadians will be able to mark this memorable year by taking part in local and regional activities that showcase Acadian cultural diversity during the National Acadian Day celebrations in Atlantic Canada.

Quotes

"Canada 150 is an opportunity to shine a light on the many communities and cultures that make up this amazing country. The Acadian communities throughout Atlantic Canada will showcase their culture during National Acadian Day celebrations. I invite everyone to come out and experience these exciting celebrations."

?The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"Our Acadian communities across New Brunswick and throughout Atlantic Canada are a proud and diverse group of people who have helped to shape and build our great country. As we celebrate this year of Canada 150, I am extremely pleased to recognize the investments by our government toward these Acadian communities."

?The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard; and Member of Parliament for Beauséjour

"The Acadian culture and language are vibrant in Cumberland?Colchester. We have the country's most intact Acadian village in Cumberland County at Beaubassin, where a view park will open later this year. I am very pleased that our government is making investments to help celebrate the rich history and culture of the Acadian community in Nova Scotia and across Atlantic Canada."

?Bill Casey, Member of Parliament for Cumberland?Colchester

"I am pleased that the Carrefour de L'isle-Saint-Jean will be receiving funding to help celebrate Acadian culture and diversity in Charlottetown. The Celebrons L'Acadie: Charlottetown En Fête 2017 festival will be a celebration on National Acadian Day, giving Islanders the opportunity to learn more about the vibrant Acadian culture in PEI. These types of events are extremely important for sharing the traditions of such a rich heritage and for looking to our future, as we continue to preserve Acadian culture on Prince Edward Island."

?Sean Casey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament for Charlottetown

"I am proud that the Government of Canada is supporting projects that recognize the important contribution ?of the Acadian people and communities in the building of Canada."

?Serge Cormier, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship; and Member of Parliament for Acadie?Bathurst

"This fund is a wonderful opportunity for our community members to express themselves, encourage participation at local events, inspire a better understanding of Canada's vast cultural diversity and build a greater relationship between all Canadians, including Indigenous Peoples, newcomers, youth and official?language minorities. Local projects such as Célébrations du 15 août 2017: Fête nationale des Acadiens dans la Capitale provinciale allow us to underline the significance of Acadian culture in our region and celebrate its contribution to our country's diversity, rich history and proud heritage."

?Matt DeCourcey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Fredericton

"The Acadian community is an important part of Nova Scotia's rich culture. I'm proud of the many organizations in Dartmouth?Cole Harbour and across the province that are working hard to provide leadership within the vibrant and dynamic Nova Scotian Acadian and Francophone community. The Government of Canada is proud to support and fund these organizations so that they may continue their good work in our communities."

?Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth?Cole Harbour

"On August 15, Acadia celebrates! Each year, National Acadian Day celebrates the resilience, tenacity and dynamism of Acadian communities. In this year of Canada 150, I am delighted with the support provided to the numerous festivities by Minister Joly, including those in West Nova, which highlight the important past and present contributions of Canada's Acadian people."

?Colin Fraser, Member of Parliament for West Nova

"The Association régionale de la côte ouest (ARCO) provides exceptional educational services throughout Long Range Mountains and beyond. I am thrilled for the funding that they are receiving from the Canada 150 Community Projects for their Célébrons la Fête des Acadiens festival. These types of events highlight the wonderful diversity we have here in Newfoundland and Labrador. I encourage everyone to join the festivities on August 15th."

?Gudie Hutchings, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business and Tourism and Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains

"As the celebration of Canada 150 continues, it is wonderful to see organizations honouring Acadian heritage and what it means to New Brunswick. I look forward to taking part in the National Acadian Day festivities in Saint John?Rothesay."

?Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John?Rothesay

"From Labrador City, to the Port-au-Port Peninsula to Ecole Des Grands Vents overlooking St John's, Francophones contribute immensely to our cultural heritage and our economy. Community organizations such as those mentioned by Minister Joly today, along with all Canada 150 community projects, help to grow a diverse and prosperous Atlantic Canada."

?Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John's East

Quick facts

• Through the Canada 150 Fund, the Government of Canada is providing a total of $1,000,000 in funding for 59 organizations in the Atlantic region to support celebrations for National Acadian Day and related activities.
• The Canada 150 Fund has an overall budget of $200 million. Through the Fund, the Government of Canada makes investments in activities that support the community-based vision of Canada 150 and that encourage Canadians to participate.
• The Acadian people have been celebrating National Acadian Day on August 15 since 1881, the year in which the Acadian leaders received the mandate to set the date of this celebration at the first National Convention of the Acadians at Memramcook, New Brunswick.
• The Government of Canada passed the National Acadian Day Act in 2003.

Related products

News release announcing funding for Grand-Pré 2017 https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2017/03/mi_kmaq_and_acadianpeoplesgathertocelebratecanada150.html

Associated links

Festival acadien de Caraquet ? Viens voir le pays http://festivalacadien.ca/fr/canada-150 
Grand-Pré 2017 http://www.grandpre2017.ca/

Data table

SOURCE Canadian Heritage