Starting in 2009, Société Promotion Grand-Pré created the André-D.-Cormier Certificate to recognize persons deserving this honour for their exceptional contribution to the outreach and sustainability of the Grand-Pré National Historic Site of Canada. The following activities qualify for consideration: having contributed towards the promotion of the Grand-Pré National Historic Site of Canada and its history such as contributing towards the outreach of the historic site, the development of programmes offered on the site, cultural activities at the site and promotion of the Grand-Pré National Historic Site of Canada.

Biography of Father André D. Cormier

Recipients

2009

MURIEL ROY, first recipient of the André-D.-Cormier Certificate

On July 29, 2009, Stan Surette, President of the Société Promotion Grand-Pré, awarded the first André D. Cormier Certificate to Muriel Kent Roy to honour her exceptional contribution to the to the outreach and sustainability of Grand-Pré National Historic Site of Canada.

A graduate of the Université de Montréal and the Sorbonne, Muriel Roy taught Sociology and Demography at the Université de Moncton and served as Director of the Centre d’études acadiennes. She sat on numerous commissions and committees at both the regional and national level. In 1980, she was appointed to the special Board of Enquiry that looked into the problems resulting from the creation of Kouchibouguac National Park. Over a number of years, she devoted herself to the preservation of the Monument Lefebvre, which became a national historic site in 1994.

Madame Roy became involved in the development of Grand-Pré National Historic Site in 1982, when Parks Canada was preparing the first management plan for the site. In 1985, she became a founding member of the Parks Canada Acadian Consultative Committee. She made significant contributions to various commemorative projects at Grand-Pré. Her submissions to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, along with those of the other members of the Acadian Consultative Committee, regarding the reasons justifying Grand-Pré’s designation as a national historic site were clarified in order to ensure its commemorative integrity.

Madame Roy intervened on numerous occasions in issues related to Grand-Pré. In particular, she was instrumental in drafting the Commemorative Intent of the historic site which today recognizes the significance of the Deportation and the enduring attachment of the Acadians to Grand-Pré.

In 1993, Muriel Roy received the Order of Canada for her major role in the preservation of Acadian heritage and in the promotion of the status of women. She is still active in a number of Acadian projects, including the Acadian Odyssey Commission, founded by the Société Nationale de l’Acadie to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Great Upheaval.