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The next Island Studies Lecture features Island historian Georges Arsenault speaking about connections between Prince Edward Island and the Magdalen Islands. Arsenault has explored links going as far back as 250 years when Islanders sailed to the Maggies to participate in the walrus hunt. His lecture is Thursday, February 23, at 7 pm in the Faculty Lounge of SDU Main Building.

In more recent times, when the Magdalen Islands were part of the Catholic Diocese of Charlottetown, many PEI priests served in the Maggies while priests from there were posted in Island parishes. Later, more than 30 young Acadian women from the Island studied at the Havre-aux-Maisons Normal School and came back home to teach, mainly in Acadian schools. Since the early 1900s, young people from the Maggies have been coming to work and study on the Island. In the last decade or so, the PEI Acadian and Francophone community has cooperated with the Magdalen Islands to develop projects in both the cultural and economic fields. Arsenault will explore the many connections that have been forged over the centuries between these insular communities.

A native of Abram-Village, Georges Arsenault lives in Charlottetown. He is the author of many publications on Acadian history and folklore and a well-known lecturer. He is the president of the Sister Antoinette DesRoches Historical Society. Georges was recently made a member of the Order of Canada. 

Admission to the lecture is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

Watch for details for another lecture about islands March 14. For more information, please contact Laurie at iis@upei.ca or (902) 894-2881.

The ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.