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Manuscript by Bona Arsenault, "Principal Settlements of Old Acadia" | Manuscript |
Information about the object
Historical period
c. 1970–1980?
Dimensions
Unknown
Classification
Communications -- Document
Accession number
No number
Division
Documents and archives -- Means of expression -- Pieces and documents
Collection
Bona Arsenault
Donor
Bona Arsenault?
Category/theme
Description of the object
This set represents Chapter 1 of one of Bona Arsenault's works, entitled "The Main Settlements of Old Acadia." It consists of three pages.
Value of the item
This piece shows how Acadians got involved in Quebec's lively art, political, and social scenes. More specifically, this document tells the story of politician Bona Arsenault (1903-1993), who was from Thivierge (Bonaventure). Bona Arsenault is known for his work as a federal MP for Bonaventure county, and also for his genealogical research connected to Acadia. The document refers to his writings on Acadian history. What you see here is part of the typed manuscript. These pages detail how Acadians settled in Nova Scotia.
Learn more
Bona Arsenault was born in Thivierge (Bonaventure) on October 4, 1903, to Joseph Georges Arsenault and Marcelline Gauthier, both of Acadian descent.
He first studied at the Académie de Bonaventure and the School of Social, Political, and Economic Sciences at Laval University. He also took courses in administration and psychology at the University of Connecticut.
On May 6, 1926, he married Blandine Bernard, with whom he had eight children. In 1973, he married Lisette Fortier, daughter of Arthur Fortier, notary, and Aline Moffat.
In Quebec City, he first worked in the press, where he held various administrative positions: "Le Journal" (1932-1939) and "L'Événement-Journal" (1939-1941). From 1941 to 1953, he worked in the insurance sector, notably at the Insurance Company of Canada and Pratte & Côté.
Politically, Bona Arsenault first ran as a Conservative candidate in the provincial elections of 1931 and 1935. He was also defeated in the federal elections of 1940. He was first elected as an independent candidate to the House of Commons in Bonaventure in 1945. Elected under the Liberal banner in 1949, he was defeated in the 1957 federal election.
In 1960, he made the leap into provincial politics and became the Liberal member for the county of Matapédia. In the midst of the Quiet Revolution, he was part of Jean Lesage's "dream team" and held the positions of Minister of Lands and Forests (1960-1962), Minister of Fisheries and Hunting (1962-1963), and Provincial Secretary (1963-1966). Bona Arsenault was re-elected in 1970 and 1973, but was defeated in 1976 with the election of the Parti Québécois.
Alongside his political career, Bona Arsenault pursued a career as an author, publishing several books and articles on the history of the Acadians: "L'Acadie des ancêtres" (1955), "Histoire des Acadiens" (1966), "Louisbourg 1713-1758" (1971), etc. He was also responsible for the television series "Acadiana" on CHAU-TV and the publication of the registers of numerous parishes in Baie-des-Chaleurs.
During his career, Bona Arsenault received numerous awards: honorary member of the Maison acadienne-française de la Louisiane (1955), honorary doctorates from the universities of Bathurst and Moncton, Medal of the Order of Canada (1981), Order of Forestry Merit (1985), Officer of the Order of La Pléiade (1982). At the regional level, his work on the history and genealogy of the Acadians also earned him the Prix du Mérite culturel gaspésien (1984).
Bona Arsenault died on July 4, 1993, in Quebec City at the age of 89. Several Gaspé political figures attended his funeral at the church in Bonaventure to pay their respects: Gérard D. Lévesque, Albert Béchard, and Alexandre Cyr. His grandson, goalie Patrick Roy, was also in attendance. (http://archives.museedelagaspesie.ca/album/personnage/p57_3a_93_2/)
He first studied at the Académie de Bonaventure and the School of Social, Political, and Economic Sciences at Laval University. He also took courses in administration and psychology at the University of Connecticut.
On May 6, 1926, he married Blandine Bernard, with whom he had eight children. In 1973, he married Lisette Fortier, daughter of Arthur Fortier, notary, and Aline Moffat.
In Quebec City, he first worked in the press, where he held various administrative positions: "Le Journal" (1932-1939) and "L'Événement-Journal" (1939-1941). From 1941 to 1953, he worked in the insurance sector, notably at the Insurance Company of Canada and Pratte & Côté.
Politically, Bona Arsenault first ran as a Conservative candidate in the provincial elections of 1931 and 1935. He was also defeated in the federal elections of 1940. He was first elected as an independent candidate to the House of Commons in Bonaventure in 1945. Elected under the Liberal banner in 1949, he was defeated in the 1957 federal election.
In 1960, he made the leap into provincial politics and became the Liberal member for the county of Matapédia. In the midst of the Quiet Revolution, he was part of Jean Lesage's "dream team" and held the positions of Minister of Lands and Forests (1960-1962), Minister of Fisheries and Hunting (1962-1963), and Provincial Secretary (1963-1966). Bona Arsenault was re-elected in 1970 and 1973, but was defeated in 1976 with the election of the Parti Québécois.
Alongside his political career, Bona Arsenault pursued a career as an author, publishing several books and articles on the history of the Acadians: "L'Acadie des ancêtres" (1955), "Histoire des Acadiens" (1966), "Louisbourg 1713-1758" (1971), etc. He was also responsible for the television series "Acadiana" on CHAU-TV and the publication of the registers of numerous parishes in Baie-des-Chaleurs.
During his career, Bona Arsenault received numerous awards: honorary member of the Maison acadienne-française de la Louisiane (1955), honorary doctorates from the universities of Bathurst and Moncton, Medal of the Order of Canada (1981), Order of Forestry Merit (1985), Officer of the Order of La Pléiade (1982). At the regional level, his work on the history and genealogy of the Acadians also earned him the Prix du Mérite culturel gaspésien (1984).
Bona Arsenault died on July 4, 1993, in Quebec City at the age of 89. Several Gaspé political figures attended his funeral at the church in Bonaventure to pay their respects: Gérard D. Lévesque, Albert Béchard, and Alexandre Cyr. His grandson, goalie Patrick Roy, was also in attendance. (http://archives.museedelagaspesie.ca/album/personnage/p57_3a_93_2/)