Vermilionville hosted their Creole Culture Day on Sunday, a day to recognize and honor Creole culture.
The group Conversations Starters participated in the event, hoping to build relationships by leading a discussion on what it means to be Creole.
“There’s no set starting point for how Creoles were first identified and how they were first founded, so we allow people to self-identify and then to explain why or how they self-identify, whether that’s family history, whether it’s something they read in a historical document,” said the group’s co-founder, Skyra Rideaux.
The event also brought two cousins who recently found out they were related together for the first time.
“So, we just found each other… He found me, rather, on Facebook through a mutual friend that we had, and it’s just a happy accident. That’s the kind of thing in this area… You might be cousins with the person you’re passing in the grocery store and not know it,” said Katelyn Deculus.
Both family members shared stories of their Creole family roots.
“I like talking about my family and my family history, and to be able to share it with other people who have similar sort of experiences, it’s quite beautiful,” said James Billeaudeau.
Those who participated in the conversation are hoping it will show people they have more similarities than differences.”
“We have a shared history in Acadiana. I would like everyone to embrace that, not because I think it’s important, but I think it’s important to the population for us to understand each other. I think it will bridge a lot of gaps,” said Deculus.
To find out more about Conversations Starters and when they’ll host their next event, follow their Facebook page.
