Attorney Warren Perrin has donated papers and other materials to UL Lafayette that document his 15-year quest to obtain an official apology from England for the expulsion of Acadians from Nova Scotia in the 1700s.
England’s apology was made on Dec. 9, 2003.
Queen Elizabeth II signed a Royal Proclamation that acknowledged the wrongs committed against the Acadians and established “A Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval” each year on July 28.
Perrin’s donation was announced Tuesday night at Le Centre International de Lafayette during a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the apology. His papers include all private correspondence with other attorneys involved with the apology. Other materials donated by Perrin include books and magazine articles.
The story has received widespread media attention, including coverage by many publications such as Esquire, National Geographic and The Smithsonian.
“The apology doesn’t rectify what occurred, but it is a significant symbolic recognition by the British that what was done in 1755 was morally wrong,” said Dr. Bruce Turner, assistant dean of special collection services at the University’s Edith Garland Dupré Library.
For more information about the donation, contact Dr. Bruce Turner, bturner@louisiana.edu or 337-482-5702.