In West Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia, National Acadian Day holds significance beyond mere festivities, according to Rébécca-Sarah Potvin, the executive director of L’Acadie de Chezzetcook, which is marking its 30th anniversary this year.
Potvin emphasized the importance of expanding the event to showcase the history of L’Acadie Chezzetcook and the local community. The celebration, attended by numerous individuals, featured music, a barbecue, and demonstrations of traditional Acadian practices like butter churning and clam shelling.
Notable figures such as Canada’s Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, Marc Miller, Central Nova MP Sean Fraser, and Coun. David Hendsbee were present at the event. Cameron DeBaie, chair of L’Acadie Chezzetcook, highlighted the 30th anniversary as a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to revitalize and preserve Acadian culture and the French language in Chezzetcook.
Shirley Doucette Lowe, a community member and volunteer at the Acadian House Museum, shared her involvement since the inception of L’Acadie Chezzetcook in 1996. She echoed the sentiment of a growing interest among the youth in preserving their cultural heritage and language.
Doucette Lowe pointed out the importance of initiatives like the French school at École des Beaux-Marais in Porters Lake, now under the administration of Conseil scolaire acadien provincial, which took over in 2011. Additionally, plans to construct a new school for francophone students in the community were announced by Premier Tim Houston in 2023.
To further promote the French language, Potvin mentioned the revival of French summer camps in the community. The reintroduction of these camps aims to provide opportunities for francophone students to engage in linguistic activities during the summer months.
DeBaie, reminiscing about attending a French camp in Chezzetcook as a child, highlighted the positive impact of such programs. The resurgence of interest in these camps was evident, with Willow DeBaie, a nine-year-old participant, expressing enthusiasm for learning different languages and passing on this knowledge to future generations.
Potvin emphasized that while the festivities of National Acadian Day are a one-day event, there are ongoing opportunities for individuals in Nova Scotia to delve deeper into the history of West Chezzetcook and its Acadian heritage.
