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From: "Garry Gaudet" <>
Subject: Re: ACADIAN-CAJUN-D Digest V01 #359
Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2001 21:24:03 -0600
References: <200110271400.f9RE02N01977@lists2.rootsweb.com>


Dear Cousins,

This summer, for the first time in my 62 years, I had the overwhelming and
breathtaking opportunity to visit Port Royal and the Annapolis River and
Valley, where my ancestors began to farm in 1636. I paddled my kayak up and
down the river past our family farms between Annapolis Royal and present day
Bridgetown, Nova Scotia, for two days. I felt silent awe in the morning
fogs, and the annoyance of bites from the no-see-um's no doubt descended
from those that tormented the early settlers who eventually spread eastward
to Grand Pre, and out to Beaubassin in New Brunswick before the horrors
began.

I take great pride that my stoic contemporary cousins are not seeking land
and monetary reparations, as some groups are doing these days. At the same
time, I am persuaded that les maudit Anglais (the British) owe a belated
apology to the descendants of those their field commanders (especially
Lawrence) tormented, threw off the beautiful lands they had reclaimed,
tilled and planted, whose families they ripped apart, and whose possessions
they confiscated and handed over by default to the "New England Planters"
who took over the Annapolis Valley. Today, not a single Acadian flag flies
in the valley, and the French language is non-existent.

Having seen the fruits of their labours, and what they lost, my appetite for
gumbo has pretty much evaporated.

Sincerely,

Garry Gaudet,
Lantzville, BC, Canada



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Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2001 8:00 AM
Subject: ACADIAN-CAJUN-D Digest V01 #359



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