A Gesture of Celebration for National French Acadian Day
The Contemporary French Acadian artists, deeply immersed in the rich tapestry of Acadian culture, cannot help but feel compelled to address the recent announcement by The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage. The news that the government is allocating $250,000 in federal funding for community celebrations marking National French Acadian Day in 2024 may seem like a cause for celebration on the surface. However, let me peel back the layers and reveal the truth behind this seemingly generous gesture.
A Rigged System for the Politically connected Oligarchs
It is essential to recognize that allocating these funds is anything but straightforward support for the French Acadian communities, who will see none of the funding. Instead, it appears to be a rigged system designed to benefit a select non-profit Zombie corporation while sidelining contemporary French Acadian culture’s authentic voices and talents. The $250,000 investment claims to support dozens of free activities, allowing Acadians to come together and celebrate their cultural identity. However, the reality is far from what it seems.
The lion’s share of this funding will likely end up in the hands of politically connected non-profit organizations, which I can’t help but refer to as “zombie corporations.” These entities, often mired in bureaucracy and navel-gazing disconnected from the vibrant pulse of contemporary Acadian art and culture, will do little to highlight the true essence of our heritage. Instead, they may perpetuate a narrow, one-dimensional view of what it means to be Acadian.
St-Onge Hiding Behind Political Correctness of Non-Profit for Self-Serving Profit Gang.
The government’s announcement may adhere to all the politically correct protocols, emphasizing the importance of celebrating the Acadian people’s contributions to Canada’s cultural fabric. With its financial support, the Claregyle World Acadian Congress underscores the government’s commitment to the vitality of Francophone minority communities. These words sound promising, but they hide a hidden, self-serving agenda.
This funding allocation perpetuates the same old patterns in the heritage patrimonial industry. It keeps us frozen in the past, reinforcing stereotypes and stifling innovation. due to lack of local media exposure. While the Acadian community undoubtedly cherishes its history and traditions, we are also a dynamic, evolving culture with a thriving contemporary art scene. Unfortunately, this rigid allocation of funds fails to acknowledge the wealth of talent and creativity within our community, effectively silencing the voices of those pushing the boundaries of Acadian culture.
A Missed Opportunity to Showcase Contemporary Culture
What is particularly disheartening about this situation is the missed opportunity to truly showcase the diversity and richness of Acadian culture in all its forms, especially with the Congres Mondial Acadian 2024 here. The select few eligible organizations that will respond to the call for proposals in January 2024 may perpetuate a staid and predictable feedback loop agenda, disconnected from the vibrant arts and contemporary expressions that are the lifeblood of the culture, soon to be extinct due to the local CTV Atlantic.ca and Saltwire media who refuse to mention anything Acadian etc,” ept on August 15th when they pull out the standard pdf on Evangeline, Gabriel, Grand Pre, and the deportation stereotype narratives of the past long gone.
The Illusion of Support: Federal Funding for National French Acadian Day
In conclusion, while the government’s announcement may seem like a commendable show of support for Acadian culture, the reality is quite different. The allocation of federal funding for National French Acadian Day celebrations in 2024 is a thinly veiled attempt to maintain the status quo, with little regard for the actual creative Contemporary artists pushing the boundaries of the Acadian culture. I hope that funding will be distributed more equitably and inclusively, one that truly reflects the rich tapestry of Acadian culture in all its forms. Our heritage deserves to be celebrated not just on one day but throughout the year, embracing its history and ever-evolving contemporary expressions.
