Interview with Charelle Doucet

Inverview by: Ryan Poirier

1. How long have you been "letting the Mi-Carêmes in"?

Charelle : I would say that it has been around 13 to 14 years, and it has been about 15 years that we have moved into this house, which would mean that around the time we moved, we began to let them in.

2. What night of the week do you usually "let the Mi-Carêmes in?"

Charelle : We let them in on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, because on Monday and Tuesday I like to "run it" myself!

3. How would you describe the atmosphere in the house on a typical Mi-Carême night?

Charelle : I would say that everyone is happy and really excited, and every time a group of Mi-Carêmes leave, you’re always anticipating the next one; you’re always jumping to the window. Everyone’s really eager to see more Mi-Carêmes.

4. Do you look forward to the Mi-Carême year after year?

Charelle : Oh yes. Each year, you think, "Well it’s finished for another year." but you’re already thinking about the next! It starts to approach, and you can’t wait!

5. How many Mi-Carêmes, on average, would a common Mi-Carême house receive?

Charelle : The first nights of the week, there would be less, maybe 50 or 60. When Wednesday arrives, there will be more, maybe about 100 to 150. The last night of all, we’ve seen up to 200 to even 250 Mi-Carêmes.

6. What do you believe to be a typical Mi-Carême? How would he/she interact with others?

Charelle : I would say that the typical Mi-Carême would participate well; sometimes you see Mi-Carêmes who sit in the corner that don’t make too much noise. Mi-Carêmes have to make noise, they need to talk, they need to move, they need to make it fun, they need to answer questions, and dance, and sing, and anything to make people laugh.

7. How would you describe the typical "Mi-Carême Watcher"? How does he/she try to figure out the Mi-Carême’s identity?

Charelle : A good "Mi-Carême Watcher" is someone who tries to guess the Mi-Carêmes’ by the way they walk when they come in, by their eyes, if they’re wearing rings, um, maybe by their teeth, anything you can see, or the way they talk, the way they act; that’s the way that you would try to figure out who’s under the mask.

8. How do you compare the Mi-Carême of this era, to the Mi-Carême of your childhood? Is there a difference?

Charelle : I would say that, where people are concerned, there isn’t really much difference. The only difference would be that now, with cars, we can go everywhere, to the Moine and le Petit Étang; in our time, you actually "ran" from house to house. And nowadays, when a group arrives at a house, they’re all dressed up with similar costumes, for example, all in wedding dresses and that sort of thing. When we were younger, we had to use old clothing, which most likely smelled like mothballs, that our mother would have found in the closet. It was whatever you could find, the older the better, and most of the time it was picked out at the last minute. Sometimes when a good group passed along you left with them. Now, the Mi-Carême is mostly all planned ahead of time.

9. Do you think it helps the community to get together and have one great big party?

Charelle : Oh yes, I would say so. It keeps our Acadian culture alive, and also our language and music, because there’s often music playing in the background. The people participate a lot, it’s a good way to get all together in the community and celebrate the time of the year that is mostly dull, when there’s not much going on in Chéticamp.

10. Do you have any relatives who live away from Chéticamp who always find their way here during Mi-Carême week?

Charelle : Actually, no; I have a sister living in Truro who comes down whenever she can, and I have nephews and nieces who come down as well; but I don’t have any from really far away, but I have friends that live in Waltham or Toronto who always come down during the Mi-Carême.

11. What do you think of this Internet Mi-Carême project? Do you feel that it’s a good idea to share our Acadian heritage with the rest of the planet?

Charelle : I would say so, because it’s showing everyone what the Acadians do, and especially the Chéticamp region because not many Acadian regions "run" the Mi-Carême anymore. I believe it’s a way to make good publicity and get people to come visit us and party along with us. It makes them realize how the people of this region are so welcoming and lovable.

12. In general, what personal thoughts do you have on the Mi-Carême and other Acadian-related festivities in the Chéticamp /
St Joseph-du-Moine/ Margaree area.

Charelle : I find that it's very good to keep our Acadian culture; even my children started to "run" the Mi-Carême when they were maybe 1 or 2 years old. I find it’s nice that we all continue to pass down our tradition, and even all festivals and everything else that exists. I find it’s good that it all continues.

Thank you very much for participating in our project, Charelle.