Ceremony Honours Acadian Cemetery
What was once thought to be Acadian folklore became historical fact in 1996 with the discovery of skeletal remains during the building of new homes in Falmouth. Today, a committee is working to ensure the Ste-Famille cemetery is never again lost.
This Sunday, Aug. 13, the Committee for the Preservation of Ste- Famille Cemetery will hold a ceremony to mark the official beginning of efforts to safeguard the historic cemetery and promote awareness of its place in Acadian history. Archeological digs have determined that an estimated 300 Acadians were buried at the site between 1722 and the Deportation of 1755.
"We wanted the site preserved to protect the Acadian story," said Donna Doucet, co-president of the Committee for the Preservation of Ste-Famille Cemetery. "The site will also play a special role in 2004 as Acadians searching for their roots come to Nova Scotia for the World Acadian Conference."
Prior to the Deportation of the Acadians from the Pisiquid area, the parish of Ste-Famille existed on the west side of what is now the Avon River. Over time, the location of the parish's cemetery was forgotten and eventually its existence relegated to Acadian folklore.
That changed in 1996 with the unearthing of the first skeletal remains by construction crews. Over the past four years, members of the preservation committee have worked to recover the site. The reburial ceremony Sunday highlights the first phase of a four-year development project, which also includes a driveway, walkway, reburial plaque, interpretive panels and gate posts.
Interest in the project has extended beyond the Acadian community in Nova Scotia. Acadian descendants in Louisiana, for example, have also shown interest in learning about their past.
"Acadian descendants are coming to Nova Scotia in an effort to find a tangible link to their past," said Ms. Doucet. "We're preserving this site for Acadians, to help them track their ancestry and learn about their past."
The Ste-Famille memorial project was funded by a number of partners, including Nova Scotia Economic Development, which provided $26,320. A federal-provincial agreement, through Heritage Canada and the Office of Acadian Affairs, supported the project with $10,000 and the preservation committee provided $7,500.
"The Ste-Famille project will not only help preserve Acadian history and culture for future generations, but act as a tribute to people who had, and continue to have, an important role in the development of the province," said Economic Development Minister Gordon Balser. "Projects like these are important to people of Acadian descent throughout Nova Scotia and the rest of the world."
"It is imperative that Acadians know their ancestry and history. This pre-Deportation cemetery of Ste-Famille provides us with another important chapter to a history of hardships and triumphs," said the Minister responsible for Acadian Affairs, Neil LeBlanc. "The descendants of those first Acadians must preserve and cherish this rich past."
The reburial ceremony, which is open to the public, will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday at 419 Gabriel Rd., Falmouth. Other local events are also being held to promote Acadian history and culture, including a current exhibit hosted by the Enterprise Art Gallery in Windsor. The exhibit, titled Spirit of Acadia -- Esprit d'Acadie, features the works of Acadian artists from across Nova Scotia. The show is open until Sept. 30.
On Saturday, Aug. 12, and Monday, Aug. 14, two walks will be conducted in Falmouth to tour historic Acadian sites in the Pisiquid area. On Sunday, Aug. 13, a mass dedicated to Acadians will be celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Church in Windsor and at St. Mary's Mission in Hantsport. Events culminate with the Acadian National Holiday on Tuesday, Aug. 15, when entertainment and activities will be held at Grand Pré National Park.
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