A non-profit workgroup for the Monument of Shepody (Chipoudie) welcomes the decision of the Council of the Village of Riverside-Albert to host a monument in honor of the Acadians in their village.
“We’re pleased to have the monument of the Acadian families who settled in the Shepody area and promote the history of the Acadian settlers and their families who toiled to dyke the marshes and settle the land,” stated Jim Campbell, Mayor of Riverside-Albert.
It is well known that numerous French Acadians established permanent settlements in southern New Brunswick. Although there is little awareness of Acadian communities settled along the coast of the Bay of Shepody in Albert County, the 1755 census confirms the presence of 425 inhabitants belonging to 77 Acadian families shared among 26 family names.
The installation of the monument in McClelan Park on Route 114 is planned for October 2017. Not only will it raise awareness of the presence of Acadian families in the Shepody region between 1700 and 1755, but it will also commemorate Pierre Thibodeau, the founder of this establishment.
This success of this initiative is the result of collaborative efforts of a workgroup representing some of the pioneer families such as Blanchard, Boudreau, Breau, Brossard, Brun, Comeau, Forest, Girouard, Gaudet, Léger, Martin, Saulnier, Savoie, Thibodeau, etc.
While inspiring a deeper appreciation and understanding of the area’s rich history and heritage, this monument will contribute to the collective memory of the millions of the Acadians of the Diaspora.
The workgroup consists of Wilfred Savoie (President), Dolores Breau, Yvon Comeau, Ronald Martin, Nicole Breault Marquis, Paul Savoie, Ernest Thibodeau and Fernand Thibodeau.
To contribute to the fundraising or for additional information, please communicate with Wilfred Savoie at [email protected] or 506-871-8846.
Sept. 24th 2019: Check out the latest at http://www.connectingalbertcounty.org/culture--heritage/merci