In West Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia, the significance of National Acadian Day goes beyond mere festivities, according to Rébécca-Sarah Potvin. For her, it is a testament to the preservation of culture.
Potvin serves as the executive director of the renowned historical site, L’Acadie de Chezzetcook, which is commemorating its 30th anniversary this year. She expressed a desire to expand the celebration to shed more light on the history of L’Acadie Chezzetcook, emphasizing the importance of sharing the community’s stories and experiences.
On a recent Saturday, a gathering of numerous individuals marked the occasion with live music, a barbecue, and demonstrations showcasing Acadian traditions such as butter churning and clam shelling. Prominent figures including 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 that the 30th anniversary represents a pivotal advancement in the revitalization and safeguarding of Acadian heritage and the French language within Chezzetcook. Reflecting on his upbringing, DeBaie recounted how his grandmother spoke French but refrained from doing so publicly, while his mother never acquired the language. He noted the current generation’s deep appreciation for their ancestral roots.
Shirley Doucette Lowe, a community member and volunteer at the Acadian House Museum, shared her memories of L’Acadie Chezzetcook’s inception in 1996 and her ongoing involvement in its preservation efforts. She echoed DeBaie’s sentiments, underscoring a newfound enthusiasm among the younger members of the community.
Doucette Lowe stressed the importance of preserving the culture and reviving the language, especially since many individuals from her generation lost fluency in French. She highlighted the role of École des Beaux-Marais in Porters Lake, which was taken over by Conseil scolaire acadien provincial in 2011 and announced plans for a new francophone school in 2023 by Premier Tim Houston.
Reinstating French summer camps has been a proactive measure to ensure that francophone students maintain their language skills. Potvin emphasized the value of such camps, recalling their past success and their recent revival. Willow DeBaie, a nine-year-old participant in the camps, expressed enthusiasm for learning multiple languages and passing on this knowledge to future generations.
Potvin emphasized that while the festivities are a one-day event, there are ongoing opportunities for Nova Scotians to delve deeper into the history of West Chezzetcook and the province’s Acadian heritage.
