2015 Atlantic Journalism Awards Finalists
Attachments
| Slug/Label | |
|---|---|
| Date Aired or Published | August 15, 2015 |
| Media outlet where first aired or published: | Times & Transcript |
| Name of Program: | The Descendants of Daniel |
| If co-produced, list partner: | |
| Location: | Moncton |
| List awards, grants: | |
| Running time (TV/Radio): | |
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Short explanation of the story and how it developed: Why are there so many LeBlancs in New Brunswick? That question came out of a discussion looking for a fresh way to cover the annual Fete Nationale des Acadiens, the Acadian national holiday. Reporter Jim Foster set out to find out and the result was 'The descendants of Daniel' a news feature, described by one T&T reader as "riveting and revealing", that illustrated how hundreds of thousands of LeBlancs in New Brunswick and the United States can all trace their roots to a common ancestor: Daniel LeBlanc. Foster tracked down LeBlancs who have lived for generations in one New Brunswick village, and to which many returned after amnesty was declared following the 18th century expulsion of the Acadians; a LeBlanc who lives in Louisiana, conducts tours of the bayou and struggles to keep his French heritage alive in the American melting pot; and LeBlancs who had to change their family name to White to escape anti-French, anti-Catholic discrimination. His research also revealed that former Governor General Romeo LeBlanc is among the 'Descendants of Daniel' - one of many intriguing facts in this informative and entertaining read. |
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Resources of the newsroom (money and time) available to complete the story: Working from the Moncton newsroom, Jim spent three days researching, interviewing and writing the story, while also handling other assignments. The story appeared both in print and online. |
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