McNeese State University - Log Yearbook (Lake Charles, LA)

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Cajuns is a hard workin, hard playin, fun loving people what love dey children, dey spouses (me, Ah love Sedonia, but don say it out loud), dey mommas, dey poppas, crawfish, and dey franz. An dey know dat blood is ticker dan water. An boy, do dey lak politiks, anh?! Pierre Sez Lagniappe few lines of copy written on the pages of a yearbook cannot possibly do justice to the rich history and life of a proud and steadfast people known as the Southwest Louisiana Cajuns. Arriving in Southwest Louisiana from their native land of Nova Scotia, the Acadians were determined survivors. Consisting of mostly hard-working farmers, the Cajuns provided for their physical sustenance by learning to trap, to hunt, and to fish. With a decided predilection for plenty of spicy food, beer, music and marathon dancing, the Acadians made merry with the ever-popular fais dodo. The spicy gumbo, boudin, ettoufee, and sauce piquante (all foods unique to the Cajun kitchen) were as popular then as now. Many of the Cajun ideals, traditions, and festivities still exist along the rivers and bayous of present day Louisiana. And of course, our delicious Cajun cuisine that is rapidly gaining international recognition can be found throughout an ever-expanding area. In 1987, Governor Edwards deemed November 26 ‘‘Acadian Day,”’ an honor well-deserved and long overdue for this people, a people that has molded the customs and personality of the state. The students at McNeese have the unique privilege of sharing this heritage, of living and learning in a rare environment. Our extraordinary cultural aspects of yesterday remain alive today; it is only through this history that we may learn about tomorrow. ” aet s ke - | af Cajun Life 23

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ay 25 Academics