Emelie Breaux Frazer: Evangeline Returns to Grand-Pré

Grand-Pré, July 15, 2010 – In May 1955, when she was finishing her studies at Charity Hospital Nursing School in New Orleans, Emelie Breaux was invited to take part in the Evangeline Contest, sponsored by Louisiana State on the occasion of the bicentennial of the Deportation of the Acadians in Saint Martinville. This was the beginning of an extraordinary adventure in the life of this young 19 year old Cajun. Not only did she win the contest, but she travelled to various locations in Louisiana, New England, and in Canada. Accompanied by an official delegation of approximately 60 dignitaries and businessmen, Emelie, dressed as Evangeline, visited Niagra Falls, Montreal, Quebec City, Moncton, Shediac, Fort Beauséjour, and Halifax before going to Grand-Pré to attend the huge bicentennial ceremonies on August 15th.

Born in 1936 in Houma (Terrebonne Parish), Emelie Breaux Frazer made a return pilgrimage to Grand-Pré for the first time since 1955. Her recent visit to Grand-Pré National Historic State was a very moving experience. As a permanent souvenir, she kindly deposited in the archives of the historic site a USB stick containing a collection of articles and photos of her memorable voyage in 1955.

The story of Emelie Breaux in her role as Evangeline is about to become even more permanent because a photo of her taken in 1955 is to serve as a model for a bronze statue of Evangeline. The statue will be unveiled in Ville-Platte for the Centennial of Evangeline Parish in 2011. (For further information on this centennial project, follow this link: Evangeline Project).

Caption (photo by Dr. Chuck Frazer): After an absence of  55 years, Emelie Breaux Frazer is symbolically joining hands with her family in Grand-Pré. The bronze statues of the Acadian family were erected at Grand-Pré National Historic Site to commemorate the 250^th anniversary of the Deportation.