|
 On August 15 1884, Father Marcel-François Richard proposed the adoption of the tricolor flag with a gold star as the national flag of Acadie, during the second National Convention of Acadians at Miscouche, PEI. He asked Marie Babineau, a parishioner, to make the flag which was to become a jewel of Acadian heritage. The original version of the flag is preserved at the Acadian Museum at the Université de Moncton.
“I would like Acadie to have a flag that will remind her not only that her children are French, but also Acadians.” Marcel-François Richard
The Acadian flag had been a concern for the priest for several years. In 1882, during Assumption feast in Saint-Louis-de-Kent, he made several suggestions for an Acadian flag:
“I see on the site of the church four flags (the flag of Mary, the pontifical flag, the French flag and the Union Jack) whose colours and nuances seem appropriate for the making of the Acadian flag.”
Two years later, he presented to members of the commission his plan for an Acadian flag.
Here is how he presented his choice:
“An army needs a standard. The banner of the Assumption, naturally, will lead our religious processions with patriotism. But we need a national flag to float above our heads on days when we celebrate our national meetings or celebrations. Various forms of flags have been proposed. I do not wish to denigrate the suggestions made, but I cannot agree with those who believe that we should choose a flag that is totally different from that of our motherland. The tricolour flag is that of France, from where we are descendants, and this flag should float by international decency in the entire universe. For us Acadians, this flag simply states that we are French and that France is our motherland, as the Irisg flag reminds the Irish people of their origins and their land. However, I would hope that Acadie could have a flag that reminds her not only that her children are French, but also that they are Acadian.”
The tricolour flag with a star, a symbol of Acadian identity
I therefore suggest and propose to the delegates of this convention the following plan for the national flag. The tricolour flag will be that of Acadie by adding in the blue section, a star in the papal colour. The star representing the star of Mary, Stella Maris, will serve as a crest in our flag … “
Marcel-François Richard
Painting by Claude Picard
First deployment of the flag and a national anthem for Acadie
On August 15, 1884, during the second national convention of Acadians in Miscouche (PEI), Acadie adopted a national flag in her image: the flag of France to stress its affiliation to France and the golden star, that of the Assumption, patron saint of Acadie. This star, Stella Maris, is also the one that guides mariners “through storms and reefs.” Even the golden colour of the star, is not an accident. According to the flag’s creator, it is the papal color, demonstrating the Acadians’ attachment to the Catholic Church and to show the role of the church in the history of Acadie.
|
|
