Support for Societe Nationale de l'Acadie's Major Projects

DIEPPE, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwired - May 21, 2014) - Department of Canadian Heritage

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament (Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe) Robert Goguen today announced $854,000 in funding over the next three years (2014-15 to 2016-17) for the Société Nationale de l'Acadie (SNA). He made the announcement on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages Shelly Glover.

For the SNA's year-round programming, the organization will receive $504,000 from the Development of Official-Language Communities Program ($168,000 in 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17). This will enable them to continue their regular activities, particular in the priority areas of Francophone immigration, youth, and showcasing Acadian culture and artists.

The sum of $200,000 from the Development of Official-Language Communities Program ($29,453 in 2013-14 and $170,547 in 2014-15) for the "Acadian pavilion" project will help develop a novel, state-of-the-art exhibiting structure that will be mobile and interactive. The funding will also support the implementation of a marketing plan. The aim is to promote the various aspects of Acadia across Canada, at various major events, leading up to the 150^th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.

Funding of $150,000 from the Exchanges Canada Program (2014-15) will go to the "2014 Youth Assembly" project, which will bring together over 200 young Canadians and nearly 100 young people aged 14 to 25 from France, Belgium and the U.S during the World Acadian Congress in August 2014. They will take part in a variety of activities in the areas of arts and culture, leadership and politics. This event, conceived by and for young people, will be an opportunity for participants to learn about an important part of Canadian history and also about Acadia.

Quick Facts

• The Société Nationale de l'Acadie (SNA) is a federation of the provincial associations that speak for Acadians in the four Atlantic provinces, as well as the four Francophone youth organizations in Atlantic Canada.
• The SNA also has associate members from France, Quebec, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, Louisiana, Maine, the Magdalen Islands and Atlantic Canada.
• The SNA selects the region that will host the World Acadian Congress, which takes place every five years.
• The SNA was founded in 1881 at the first Acadian convention, held in Memramcook, New Brunswick.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is proud to provide funding for the SNA's year-round activities, as well as two major projects to showcase Acadia: the "Acadian Pavilion" and the "2014 Youth Assembly." The projects will also give young people a feeling of belonging to their culture and increase their knowledge of their country's history."

- Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

"I'm thrilled that the Government of Canada continues to support the Société Nationale de l'Acadie in its vital role of enhancing Acadian identity and fostering pride in Acadian communities. The SNA's activities and projects give Acadians a presence regionally and elsewhere."

- Robert Goguen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament (Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe)

"The SNA is very pleased to be able to pursue its mission of representing the Acadian people and contributing to their development. The various funding amounts provided by Canadian Heritage are necessary and allow us to complete many projects."

- René Léger, President of the Société Nationale de l'Acadie

Links

- Exchanges Canada Program

- Development of Official-Language Communities Program

- Société Nationale de l'Acadie (French only)

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