Word from the Curator

Bonjour,

As you know, the deportation of the Acadian people, who were the first settlers of North America, occurred 250 years ago this year!  The story of this devastating international odyssey has been commemorated at the Acadian Memorial each month since January and will continue until December 2005.  We do this in memory of Acadian deportees and refugees and in tribute to the Acadians who have survived and ended their exile in Louisiana.

Thus far this commemoration has brought many adults and students to the community of St. Martinville. Our local visitors have been a part of honoring and recognizing a courageous, determined and intense group of individuals who endured what is considered the first attempt of ethnic cleansing in early America. The Acadian Memorial hopes that during this year we can bring more awareness to this major part of history, which has not been told in Louisiana history books.

I participate on a passionate committee called Acadian Heritage Week, which is invested in requesting that the State Legislators forge forward to add Acadian history in all Louisiana history textbooks.  The members of the committee and Zachary Richard, chairman of AHW, has organized a series of events during the week of September 13th, which has been declared by Legislators as Acadian Heritage Week in Louisiana. 

The committee’s primary focus is to relate this historical story of resistance to the school children of Louisiana.  You can find a curriculum guide on line, (http://www.doe.state.la.us/lde/uploads/6955.pdf) , which was designed for the 8th grade Louisiana history students by the Louisiana Department of Education.   Teachers, please make an effort to visit this state approved guide for your fall, 2005 social studies program. 

We hope to have this curriculum taught throughout the Acadiana parish schools during Acadian Heritage Week, Sept. 13-18, 2005.   We encourage the 8th grade social studies program in the public schools to utilize the weeklong curriculum.  In addition, we plan to sell displays to all school libraries at discounted prices and to assist in organizing commemorative events.