Press Release
Friday, October 13, 2023
Inauguration of the Arboretum at the Université de Moncton Shippagan Campus
Shelly-Ann Robichaud, Marcy Ward, Samantha Robichaud (Esgenoôpetitj Watershed Association), Karen Somerville (Traditionnal Elder), Clark Dedam (Band Councillor), Dr. Denis Prud’homme (President and Vice-Chancellor of the Université de Moncton), Serge Cormier (MP for Acadie-Bathurst), Lorna Paul (Band Councillor), Réjean A. Savoie (Minister responsible for the Regional Developpement Corporation et MLA for Miramichi Bay-Neguac), Chief Avery Paul, Éric Mallet (MP for Shippagan-Lamèque-Miscou), Sid Ahmed Selouani (Vice President of UMCS), Precious Abygail Dedam and Armand Caron (Deputy Mayor of the Town of Shippagan).
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The Université de Moncton, Shippagan Campus (UMSC) and the Esgenoôpetitj First Nation community inaugurated the Arboretum on October 13 in the presence of the university community, Esgenoôpetitj community representatives, partners and various levels of government.
The inauguration of this unifying project was followed by a smudging ceremony performed by members of the Esgenoôpetitj First Nation. Chief Paul and Dr. Denis Prud'homme, President and Vice-Chancellor of the Université de Moncton, then planted a tree, the white pine, a symbol of peace associated with Indigenous culture. Dr. Prud'homme took the opportunity to present Chief Paul and his wife with a gift in recognition of their collaboration.
Speaking on behalf of his community, Chief Avery Paul said he was "very proud to have been involved in this great project from the beginning. The names of the localities, which have their origins in the First Nations, are a symbol of our enduring friendship, and the knowledge our elders had about Mother Earth is a true balm to the heart that touches us deeply."
This green initiative is in line with the Université de Moncton's goal to reduce its environmental footprint. Like the First Nations, the Université recognizes that respect for the environment is an important value and is pleased to partner with the community of Esgenoôpetitj, through its Shippagan campus, in the realization of this long-awaited project.
"The Université de Moncton is committed to working with its communities to find viable solutions to contemporary issues," said the president and vice-chancellor of the Université de Moncton. "Increasing the number of green spaces and biodiversity on our campuses is one of the key actions in our 2023-2028 Climate Action Plan."
Located on Rue de l'Église in Shippagan, the Arboretum features an Indigenous medicinal garden, a 30-foot wigwam adorned with a sunny sky, a duck passage and the Mi'kmak flag, and an outdoor teaching pavilion and interpretive centre. More than one hundred trees and shrubs were planted on the arboretum grounds and in several locations on campus to replicate an Acadian forest with a diversity of 32 woody plant species. A redesign of the Véloroute de la Péninsule acadienne bicycle trail will make the site accessible to bicycle tourists as well as regular trail users.
Sid Ahmed Selouani, Vice President of UMSC, noted that “the Arboretum is a concrete gesture of reconciliation that will unite the Acadian and Esgenoôpetitj communities for generations to come. Together, we will ensure the continued development of this beautiful green space for education and tourism on our campus.”
The development of the Arboretum, which began in the spring of 2023, was made possible thanks to the participation of the following partners: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Regional Development Corporation (RDC), Community Foundations of Canada, UNI Financial Cooperation, Alumni and Friends of Université de Moncton, Shippagan Campus (AUMSC), Corporation d’amélioration centre-ville de Shippagan, Ville de Shippagan, MQM Quality Manufacturing Ltd, HUPLASO, F. J. Brideau Home Hardware Renovation Centre, Entreprises Shippagan Ltd, Port of Belledune and UMSC.
"Building an arboretum and wigwam on campus is a unique idea. It is an excellent way to educate and raise awareness with both the students and the community about the First Nation people’s knowledge of the traditional and medicinal harvest of plants from the boreal forest. The arboretum is a great addition to the campus. It highlights a part of our history that needs to be preserved, celebrated, and shared with both residents, and visitors to the region”, said Réjean A. Savoie, Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation and MLA for Miramichi Bay-Neguac.
"The Government of Canada is committed to building a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples," said Serge Cormier, Member of Parliament for Acadie-Bathurst, on behalf of the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA. "This Arboretum includes an indigenous medicinal garden that will help educate students, the local population and tourists, passing on the knowledge of the Indigenous peoples on the use of plants by their ancestors.”
The management of UMSC would also like to thank the maintenance team, led by Serge Mallet, as well as development officers Louis LeBouthillier and Patrice-Éloi Mallet, who have all made a major contribution to the success of this project, which promotes reconciliation between the Acadian community and the First Nations.
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