History Atlantic Provinces (nb, Nl, Ns, Pe)
- Joie de Vivre - Love of Life
Isolated Acadians celebrate their culture through traditions and folklore
- Publisher
- New World Publishing
- Initial publish date
- Jun 2021
- Category
- Atlantic Provinces (NB, NL, NS, PE), General
- Recommended Age
- 14 to 18
- Recommended Grade
- 9 to 12
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9781989564196
- Publish Date
- Jun 2021
- List Price
- $19.95
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
Foreword
Les Acadiens, who eventually settled in the Tor Baie region of Guysborough County(NS) undoubtedly had a difficult journey to even get to this place, having left George’s Island detention and deportation centre in Halifax Harbour, and other similar smaller forts within the region, eventually making it to Chezzetcook on the Eastern Shore after the first Treaty of Paris (1763), only to be displaced again a generation later (1783)by United Empire Loyalists fleeing New England and New York after the American Revolutionary War/War of Independence. This time these Acadians settled in one of the more isolated areas of Nova Scotia, where the soil and rugged coast were more suited to forestry and mining than farming. Thus, these traditional Acadians reinvented themselves once again as fishermen and woodsmen, eking out a living from the forests and the sea, along with subsistence farming of root vegetable in rocky soils, and learning from their Mi’kmaq friends to seek sustenance among the woodland berries, edible plants and native animals/birds of the land and shores.
While there is little doubt that Les Acadiens of Tor Baie, Guysborough Co. were moreisolated and indeed, were largely “forgotten” by most, (see Avery’s first book, TheForgotten Acadians © 2019; 2020), readers also need to be aware they were not, untilrecently, even included by FANE on their map of Acadian Communities of this province,and were barely on the radar of the federal or provincial governments until July, 2019 at Festival Savalette, with the dedication of Place Savalette. Their story of survival ina harsh environment is not only a remarkable testimony to their resilience and their dedication to their creator through their religion, as well as to one another, which not only sustained them, but forced them to invent their own unique forms of socialization, entertainment, games, recreation and culture out of what the natural environment provided.
This latest work by Jude Avery, Joie de Vivre/Love of Life, covers a wide range of Acadian culture and qualities, and while it aptly describes the local scene, with unique communities, family names, as well as geography and climate that differs from other Acadian communities, a quick look at the book’s ‘Table of Contents’ reveals a list that may well be quite familiar to Acadians living in many other regions of theMaritimes. Topics such as Acadian culture – a resilient people; neighbours more like family; their Roman Catholic religion/the influence of priests and nuns; Feast days and Celebrations; home grown theatrical presentations; Maritime Acadian Music and its performers – from all three Maritime provinces – and “Cajun country”; food and its preparation; winter vitality – sport and recreation; summer fun; rural politics; the influence of culture and history on tourism ... most of those would seem to apply widely within the Maritime region. What was different was the geography, degree of isolation and the distance from larger communities and urban centres … and the separation of time – the communities of Tor Baie being more economically and technologically isolated well into the second half of the Twentieth Century.
Again. while the specifics are different in time and place, many Acadians, indeed many others who lived in isolated, rural locations, may well relate to the struggles of living off the land and available resources. Even those of different cultures were often sustained by their beliefs and ‘religion’ and in looking out for their neighbours, both in safety and economically. Growing up in many of the more isolated areas of Atlantic Canada meant being without many of the amenities that public infra-structure, transportation, recreation and goods afforded urban dwellers, so they too learned to be inventive, using one’s imagination and ingenuity to create what the author refers to as fun!
And many individuals can relate to much in their own upbringing related to hard work,caring for others and the role of faith in their personal growth and development. Also travelling within the larger world, one can appreciate those different from themselves, for family, faith and culture are what binds us as humans.
More specifically, having travelled widely, experiencing many cultures, there is much in common among peoples who have struggled, not only with their environment, but with the political and economic realities of the world in which they found themselves. I was particularly fortunate to have shared the special hospitality of Les Acadiens in all three Maritime provinces during a primary working career in education and in organizing national bilingual programs for youth. As such, I can strongly suggest the Acadians are to be especially admired for their fascinating culture, resilience and joie de vivre.
While the book is geographically placed in the land of the “Forgotten Acadians”, in remote Guysborough Co., NS, it is recommended to all Acadians as a shared experience, and to anyone who can relate to what was required by people internally, not only to survive, but indeed thrive under difficult circumstances, including isolation.
A final comment on the author: In March 2021, Jude Avery was among the first of six initial recipients of the Lieutenant-Governor’s Award of Excellence for l’Acadie and laFrancophonie of Nova Scotia, awarded for his life-long contribution to Acadian affairs and history, which included writing stories on his region for over thirty years, teaching French for even longer in regional schools, helping out in Baton Rouge, Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina, working with others to bring Le Congrès Mondial Acadien to this region and home communities and was a driving force behind the recognition of Place Savalette by the federal and provincial governments, commemorating a lesser known, but very important historic meeting between Captain Savalette and Samuel de Champlain in 1607 (at Port Felix, NS) before the latter founded what became the City of Quebec a year later – truly significant Canadian historic events.
Francis Mitchell, Editor/Publisher
About the authors
Awards
- Winner, First Lt. Gov. Award of Excellence for Acadié et francophoniee
Contributor Notes
About the author
Jude Avery was born and raised in Larry’s River, Guysborough County, the youngest of five children born to Frank and Evangeline (Pellerin) Avery. He attended Larry’s River School until completion of Grade Nine then transferred to Guysborough Municipal High School for Tenth Grade. He moved to Toronto in 1965 to live with his brother, Carman and sister-in-law, Sara Ann while he attended Alderwood Collegiate Institute for Grade Eleven. He then enrolled at Radio College of Canada in Toronto in 1966 and successfully completed a one-year program in Radio and Television Technology. Returning to Nova Scotia in 1967, Halifax became his new home where he worked in the technical field as a radio and television serviceman then as a central office telephone equipment installer with Northern Electric.
While in Halifax he met his wife-to-be, Emma Vaughn (Vaughnie) MacNeil of Sydney Mines and made a drastic life-shift when he registered at Saint Francis Xavier University as a mature student in September 1969, only days after marrying Vaughnie. He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972, Bachelor of Education in 1973 and Un Programme de Perfectionnement de Langue de l’Université Ste. Anne, in 1996. 16th
His first employment upon completion of his St. F. X. studies was as an Elementary Teacher at Pomquet Consolidated School. It was here that Jude began a lifetime process of discovery in the uniqueness and richness of Acadian history, culture and language. In his first year at Pomquet School, he was instrumental in organizing the first Carnaval d’Hiver in the community that was designed to celebrate the Acadian culture, history and folklore. He was in Pomquet for two years and saw two of these events staged where excitement and pride were expressed by locals who were very ready to rediscover themselves and share their stories. This winter celebration has evolved to help shape Pomquet as a prominent Acadian region and it continues to be celebrated in February each year as a much-anticipated annual event.
He then transferred to the Guysborough School District as a junior high French teacher at the newly constructed Riverview Consolidated School in New Harbour in 1975. He spent his next fifteen years here until the Junior High section of the school was phased out due to a sharp enrollment decline in 1990. Jude transferred to Canso High School as high school French teacher and taught there for two years then moved to Guysborough Municipal High School, again as a high school French teacher, where he remained until his retirement in 2003.
During his entire teaching career, Jude was involved in Acadian affairs and served as regional representative and member of le Conseil d’Administration de la Fédération Acadienne de la Nouvelle Ecosse. This was a natural extension of his Acadian life and interest that evolved into a passion. Upon retirement, he was able to devote more time and effort in educating himself in his culture, genealogy and history. The first Congrès Mondial Acadien held in the Moncton area of New Brunswick in 1994 and subsequent ones held every five years in different Acadian/ Cajun areas, proved to be the real catalysts for him and many others to be drawn into this discovery process.
Through Jude’s involvement with F.A.N.E., many doors were opened via meetings with a wide range of people from many regions, which then provided access to even more significant sources of information. Visits to Louisiana, France and all Acadian regions of the Maritimes led to a growth in knowledge and a greater feel for the Acadian saga.
When Nova Scotia hosted the 2004 Congrès Mondial Acadien, Jude got involved in the organization of the local Pellerin/Bonnevie /Retrouvailles/ family Reunion celebrations. He followed Brad Pellerin as President of the newly formed Société des Acadiens de la Région de Tor Baie after Brad’s death in 2002. This Association was established for the sole purpose of planning and steering the 2004 Pellerin/Bonnevie family reunion celebrations in the Tor Bay area. However, the celebrations proved to be so moving and exciting for the entire Tor Bay Acadian region, that an expressed desire to continue the process was made and the “Forgotten Acadians” of the Tor Bay shores were awakened and continue to make “cultural noise”. As a result of this Réveil/Awakening, several celebrated additions have been made to this forgotten Acadian region that have evolved into tourism gems for the area and province.
An annual Festival Savalette has been established and will be celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2019. Plans for a unique Parc de Nos Ancêtres were conceived and developed in 2006/2007 as ten professionally painted chapter scenes by Moni Deursch and Charlotte Petitpas/Pitts on rock were created. These were accompanied by bilingual interpretive panels as a means of presenting and interpreting in a unique way, the Acadian history from the 1604 departure from France to settlement on the shores of Tor Bay in the late 1700s. This park was developed in an anchor shape (see p. 121), signifying the Acadian qualities of determination, attachment, perseverance and adaptability. A “Salle Acadienne” Resource Centre was developed and built in 2011 where visitors and locals can discover and expand their knowledge of history, culture and genealogy. An 8 x 16 foot Moni Deursch historical mural (painting) is a featured part of this facility highlighting twenty-five local memorable scenes from the early 1900s to 1960.
Joie de Vivre Jude Avery.indd 148-149
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Joie de Vivre
Currently, la Société des Acadiens de la Région de Tor Baie is involved in developing another much-anticipated history gem, “la Place Savalette”, a National Historic Site at Port Felix. This will highlight another forgotten era in local and national history for residents and visitors to discover. The Basque fishery, their presence in Tor Bay during the 16 th and 17 th centuries and their relationship with the Mi’kmaq will be featured. Also highlighted is Captain Savalette’s 1607 meeting with explorer Samuel de Champlain on these shores – a story that is only now being told and recognized for its significance. Champlain subsequently continued on and sailed up the Saint Lawrence River to plant the French flag and establish a habitation on the site of present day Quebec City, a critical event in Canadian history.
Part of this continuing process led the author to write more than sixty newspaper articles on the Basque and Acadian history of the Tor Bay area, as well as their cultural contributions to the region today. This work has led to this attempt to incorporate those writings into a book for people to enjoy as an extension of their own lives. For others it will hopefully lead to a discovery of a very rich and important part of local and national history that up to now has been a missing chapter in our Acadian Cultural Mosaic.
Excerpt: - Joie de Vivre - Love of Life: Isolated Acadians celebrate their culture through traditions and folklore (edited by Jude Avery; guest editor Virginia Houston & Alexander Bridge; managing editor Francis Mitchell; designed by Janet Soley; cover design or artwork by Mary Delorey; compiled by Janet oley)
Epilogue:
In the final stages of writing this book, I was given a copy of one of the few Guysborough County authored community books, They Came to Phillips Harbour-Memoirs of a Native Son by Aulden B. Carter: I received this as a gift from the late author’s son, Rob Carter, and immediately began reading it with excitement and wanting to know about another local rural community for which I claimed much ignorance. While doing so, I was struck by the dichotomy of our histories and also how some elements are strikingly similar. During the early days of settlement on these shores, cultural and historical differences likely caused concern that may even have been labeled as mistrust, or paranoia between the various communities and cultures. However, to have historically opposite groups live in peace and in such close proximity to each other is a testament to their desire and willingness to turn the page on past differences. They have come to realize that governors and colonial governments did not often reflect the will of the people. History has tainted many relationships and has left black marks on countless groups who were treated poorly as a result of racism, religious bias and imperial greed for which many have paid a heavy price.
However, we also see commonalities that came to replace historical differences and animosities that more accurately defined this rural coastal region. The fact that we were left in an isolated part of Nova Scotia, to survive on the strengths of our determination, adaptability and need to provide for our families, revealed common threads among us as people and communities. Over time, this isolation gave us a chance to heal and focus on the survival of our families, rather than seeking hostile retributions for past perceived grievances.
Through generations, we saw a softening and breakdown of cultural walls that were inherited through our collective histories. We heard of small movements across the Queensport barrens and Guysborough of German mercenaries, AfricanCanadians, Mi’kmaq, Loyalists, Acadians, Scottish, and Irish families to first break, then create social bonds, including intermarriage. Others spread westward as far as Port Bickerton to marry and raise families there while some even adopted other religious practices revealing a sense of openness to change. Our own families have now mostly married outside the rather shallow local gene pool and have come to resemble microcosms of the United Nations when we meet socially. Thankfully, we live in a country that fosters and promotes cultural diversity where differences are to be celebrated, not fought over.
Language, religion, skin colour and customs have differentiated Guysborough County communities and residents for centuries, and these differences sometimes served as irritants among them. Thankfully, we are now beginning to see each other through different lenses and through expanded experiences we now realize that the
only positive way forward is through education, reconciliation and acceptance. This was taught by our native friends – the Mi’kmaq – and all religions of the world. The other option, war and aggression, has been a dismal failure and served only to perpetuate the same repeated and unacceptable behaviours. Fortunately, we are now beginning to hear and listen to that message and seem ready to pattern our lives in accordance with the principles of peace and harmony. Going forward, it is hoped that this small region of the province and country, will become a model for others to emulate where all cultures will be appreciated, celebrated and encouraged to grow and prosper.
It is my wish that this book will be a source of knowledge about the history and culture of the Acadians of the Tor Bay shores and that it will serve to remove the, The Forgotten Acadians connotation. Our history and culture are as vital to us as they are to others of diverse and unique backgrounds. We wish to proudly share and celebrate our experiences with everyone while we learn and share others in return – and that we continue to make our learning experiences rich and rewarding. We also throw open our doors to Acadians everywhere and hope to share our stories with you as well. While there is sadness in seeing our language eroding like our coastline, we are a people of determination and survival and we remain steadfast in our pride of who we are.
