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OTTAWA, March 15, 2011  —  Today, the University of Ottawa hosted Zachary Richard, to whom it awarded an honorary doctorate. Mr. Richard gave a talk organized by the University’s seven Canadian Francophonie research chairholders on the Acadian presence in Louisiana since 1765, as part of the Semaine de la francophonie, a week devoted to French-language communities.

An environmental and cultural activist, poet, singer-songwriter and filmmaker, Zachary Richard was born in Louisiana, to where his Acadian ancestors were deported. Living in both the United States and Canada, he has reinvigorated Cajun musical traditions with albums in both French and English. He has also written three volumes of poetry, receiving the Prix Champlain in 1998. In addition, his documentaries have portrayed the lives of the Acadian people. Zachary Richard is co-founder of Action Cadienne, which promotes French in Louisiana, and Gulf Aid Acadiana, which helps restore areas affected by the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe.