SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Clara Dugas

Colleagues, I am filled with pride today as I rise to call attention to the outstanding feat accomplished by a talented Acadian from Nova Scotia. Clara Dugas won the people’s choice award at the Combat des contes de la Francophonie, a storytelling competition organized by the Festival interculturel du conte de Montréal as part of Francophonie Month.

I’d like to thank the Société acadienne de Clare for supporting Clara’s application to take part in this amazing event. Born in the community of Clare, where storytelling is central to identity, Clara has a knack for bringing the rich legacy of Acadian storytelling to life.

A family history steeped in culture has made her chosen path all the more inspiring. Her mother, storyteller and actor Marie‑Marthe Dugas, was a driving force in her development. She passed on to Clara not only her love of stories, but also her respect for oral tradition. To this day, many of the stories that Clara shares on stage trace back to this precious legacy: tales of yore told by her mother, or stories from her own youth retold with a sensitive, authentic touch. Clara had a long and remarkable career in teaching.

A highly gifted educator, she was deeply respected by her peers and adored by her students. This background doubtlessly helped her refine her talent for communicating, captivating and sharing — essential tools for all great storytellers.

Storytelling is hard work. It relies solely on the power of words, rhythm and imagination. The storyteller has to be an author, a performer and a conduit for memories, all at once. Clara has mastered that art with remarkable sensitivity, enabling her to connect with her audience on a deeper level.

Through her passion, hard work and dedication, Clara has made a name for herself in the French-speaking world, bringing with her the richness of our Acadian culture. Her victory is not just her own. It belongs to an entire community that continues to keep the art of storytelling alive from generation to generation.

For Acadians, storytelling is much more than an art form. It is a way of life. For centuries, our stories have been passed down by word of mouth, around kitchen tables and at gatherings. These stories have helped us preserve our language, pass on our values and strengthen our identity, even in the most difficult moments of our history.

On behalf of the Senate of Canada, I want to sincerely congratulate Clara on this outstanding achievement. We wish her a very successful future filled with stories to tell, and we thank her for showcasing Acadia to the world with such heart and talent.

Thank you.