Louisiana's Cajun Bayou Celebrates Acadian Heritage Day
In July 2022, tourism officials representing Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, the Municipality of Clare, Yarmouth & Acadian Shores in Nova Scotia, and the Congrès Mondial Acadien 2024 announced a historic partnership with the intent to bring two regions with close ties to the Acadian culture closer together, in a campaign titled “From Acadian to Cajun: Two Countries, One Culture.” In a continued effort to strengthen the partnership and to recognize and embrace our deep Acadian roots, members of our staff returned from a cultural immersion and media trip to Nova Scotia. They were accompanied by a travel journalist who’d recently visited Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou and is focusing on the cultural ties between the two regions by exploring Nova Scotia as the last leg of her journey.
Upon arrival in Nova Scotia, we met with the Executive Director of the Congrès Mondial Acadien (CMA) 2024 and members of the Municipality of Clare. We exchanged gifts, acknowledging and celebrating our partnership and officially welcoming us to Canada.
Throughout our time in the area, we visited many important Acadian historic sites, including the Grand-Pré National Historic Site (the site of the Acadian Deportation), Le Village Historique Acadien de la Nouvelle-Écosse (the Acadian Village), Musée des Acadiens des Pubnicos (the Acadian Museum & Archives), and the University of St. Anne. We toured Tusket Island, accompanied by Colton LeBlanc, the Minister of Acadian Affairs, and Sally Kenney, the Family Reunions Coordinator for CMA 2024. To experience Louisiana from the Canadian point of view, we were was invited by Daniel LeBlanc, the Director of the Festival Acadien de Clare, to attend a “Louisiana Night”-themed event, where we were recognized and introduced to the community.
After returning to Louisiana on August 8, Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson III signed a proclamation recognizing August 15 as Acadian Heritage Day here in Lafourche Parish. This proclamation acknowledges the work being done to promote Acadian and Cajun culture in the parish.
To learn more about the Acadian to Cajun partnership and all of the ways you can experience Cajun culture on a visit to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, head over to https://www.lacajunbayou.com/from-acadian-to-cajun.
