Acadian Spirit
The Legacy of Philippe d'Entremont

Acadian Spirit: The Legacy of Philippe d'Entremont, is a passionate and riveting exploration of filmmaker Peter d'Entremont own ancestry through the story of Philippe d'Entremont, one of the early founders of the Acadian community of Pubnico, Nova Scotia. It is also a tribute to the modern villagers of Pubnico, many of them d'Entremonts, who combine their efforts as amateur sleuths to uncover the roots of their own family legacy.

Mixing historical re-enactment with present day events, the story follows the threads of Acadian culture through 300 years. From the first Acadian settlements to the terrible fracture of the Expulsion of 1755, to today's festivals and enduring way of life, Acadian Spirit celebrates the tenacity of a people's will to survive and the vibrancy of their culture, identity and language.

Acadian Spirit was produced by Peter Raymont, Lindalee Tracey and Maria Pimental of White Pine Picturesas part of the Scattering of Seeds national documentary series. It was produced with the participation of theCanada Television and Cable Production Fund, Telefilm Canada, Bell Broadcast and New Equity Fund, Canadian Heritage & Multiculturalism and Rogers Telefund in association with History Television, Vision TV and SCN.

About Philippe d'Entremont

Almost everyone in Pubnico, Nova Scotia is related to the d'Entremonts. Uncovering scraps of history and old artifacts is an all-consuming passion amongst the villagers today. Their ancestor, Baron Philippe Muise d'Entremont, came to Acadia in 1649. He was one of the first French immigrants to settle in the New World. d'Entremont brought his wife and family and the ability to read, write and govern. Two years after his arrival he founded the Acadian village of Pubnico. One of his daughters later founded Grand-Pré.

Only a few sketchy details remain of the Baron. and his descendants persistently search out and discuss every clue to his life. Lieutenant to Governor Charles de la Tour, d'Entremont was an educated man of privilege, thrust into the harsh conditions of an unsettled land. Not long after he founded Pubnico, d'Entremont was forced to leave by invading Dutch colonists. A hundred years later his descendants were uprooted again by the Acadian Expulsion of 1755. The d'Entremont's were among the last to leave their village of Pubnico, and among the first to return twelve years later.