News Release Archive
ECONOMIC RENEWAL--NEW BUSINESS FOR LOUISIANA TRADE MISSION ----------------------------------------------------------------- It's an historic homecoming with a tourism and business theme that's expected to boost the economies of Nova Scotia and Louisiana. Almost 250 years after their tragic deportation from Nova Scotia, Acadians from Louisiana will return to their ancestors' homeland this week, when a Cajun trade group starts a six-day trade mission. Today, the group, which includes 11 representatives from Louisiana businesses, tourism and cultural organizations and news media, will visit both Halifax and the Annapolis Valley. Among the business representatives is Karl Breaux, who hopes his spicy brand of Cajun sausages will be a hit in Nova Scotia. He will be featuring them for buyers at a Cajun cooking demonstration Friday evening at Le Carrefour du Grand-Havre Francophone Community Centre in Dartmouth. While in Nova Scotia, the group will be meeting with Economic Renewal Minister Richie Mann and other Nova Scotia government representatives. The visit follows a Nova Scotia mission to Louisiana last April, organized by the Nova Scotia Economic Renewal Agency. A group of nine Nova Scotia Acadian businesses will be returning to Louisiana this November 2-8, to further explore business opportunities. "We're looking forward to welcoming these people to the province. They don't just share a common heritage, they share a desire to do business globally. Nova Scotia Acadians and Louisiana Cajuns have a tremendous chance to strengthen their cultural ties and use them as a springboard for increased trade," said Economic Renewal Minister, Richard Mann. The incoming mission will take part in a ceremony at Grand Pre Thursday evening, twinning the National Historic Site with Evangeline Oak Park in St. Martinville, in the Lafayette region of Louisiana. The site at Grand Pre commemorates the deportation of the Acadians from Nova Scotia and the St. Martinville site marks the arrival of the Acadians in Louisiana. Mayor Eric Martin of St. Martinville will be participating in the ceremony. St. Martinville's tourism coordinator, Audrey Brignac, says the mission has exciting potential for tourism and trade between Nova Scotia and Louisiana. "We're very excited about the trip and look forward to developing cultural and trade relationships." Ms. Brignac said French-speaking Louisiana Cajuns choose to travel to places where there is a cultural link. With easier and cheaper air travel, that puts Nova Scotia on the map as an increasingly popular destination. -30- Contact: Steve Fairbairn 902-424-5836 trp September 12, 1996 - 9:10 a.m.