Réveil

Artist: Wayne BoucherTitle: RéveilDate : 2004Medium: Oil on canvasDimensions: 8 ft x 12 ft (2,4 m x 3.6 m)Unveiled on September 5th, 2004, in the main lobby of the Visitor Reception and Interpretation Centre at Grand-Pré National Historic Site, the large mural painting by Wayne Boucher uses the Acadian flag as the basic source for evoking the tragedy of the Deportation and the nobility of the Acadian people.The Deportation Cross, erected by the Acadians in 1924, becomes the central support from which the family tree develops. The Deportation of the Acadians is portrayed in the blue section by the abstract patterning of a mass of bent over individuals moving towards the orange form that represents Cape Blomidon. The flames in the red section of the painting express not only the trauma of the Deportation, but also the uplifting passion that strengthens the Acadian people. Done in an abstract style, the painting creates a dynamic movement that evokes both tension and harmony.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This is a copy of the proclamation of the expulsion of the Acadians from Grand Pre.PROCLAMATiONGentleman,I have Received from his Excellency Governor Lawrence, The Kings Commision which I have in my hand and by whose orders you are Convened togather to Manifest to you His Majesty's Final resolution to the French Inhabitants of this his Province of Nova Scotia, who for almost half a Century have had more Indulgence Granted them, then any of his Subjects in any part of his Dominions, what use you have made of them, you your Self Best Know.The Part of Duty I am now upon is what thoh Necessary is very Disagreable tomy natural make & Temper as I know it Must be Grevious to you who are of the Same SpeciesBut it is not my Business to annimedvert, but to obey Such orders as I receive, and therefore without Hessitation Shall Deliver you his Majestys orders and Instruction.s vizt.That your Lands & Tennements Cattle of all Kinds and Live Stock of allSortes are Forfitted to the Crown with all other your Effects Saving your Money & Household Goods and you your Selves to be removed from this his Province.Thus it is Preremtorily his Majestys orders That the whole FrenchInhabitants of these Districts, be removed, and I am Throh his Majestys Goodness Directed to allow you Liberty to Carry of your Money and Household Goods as Many as you Can without Discomemoading the Vessels you Go in. I Shall do Every thing in my Power that all Those Goods be Secured to you and that you are Not Molested in Carrying of them of and also that whole Familys Shall go in the Same Vessel and make this remove which I am Sensable must give you a great Deal of Trouble as Easey as his Majestys Service will admit and hope that in what Ever part of the world you may Fall you may be Faithfull Subjects, a Peasable & happy People.I Must also Inform you That it is his Majestys Pleasure that you remain inSecutity under the Inspection & Direction of the Troops that I have the Honr. to Command.And Then Declared them Kings Prisoners.And Gave out the Following DeclarationGrand-Pre September 1755.All officers and Soldiers and Sea Men Employed in his Majestys Service as well as all his Subjects of what Denomination Soever, are hereby Notif~ed That all Cattle viz Horsses Home Cattle sheep goats Hoggs and Poultrey of Every Kinde, that was this Day Soposed to be Vested in the French Inhabitants of this Province are become Forfitted to his Majesty whose Property they now are and Every Person of What Denomination Soever is to take Care not to Hurt Kill or Destroy anything of any Kinde nor to Rob Orchards or Gardens or to make waste of anything Dead or alive in these Districts Without Special Order; Given at my Camp the Day & place abovesd.John Winslow - officer responsible for deporting those in the Minas area of Nova Scotiawww.grand-pre.com/index_en.html