Acadians

French-speaking descendants of the early French settlers in parts of Canada and the United States

Acadians

Total population
Approximately 1.5 million
Regions with significant populations
Canada (primarily New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island), United States (primarily Louisiana)
Languages
French (Acadian French), English
Religion
Predominantly Roman Catholicism

The Acadians are the descendants of French settlers who arrived in Acadia, a region of northeastern North America that includes parts of present-day Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. The Acadian people have a distinct cultural identity, shaped by their history, language, and traditions.

History

Error creating thumbnail:

Map of Acadia in 1754

The history of the Acadians begins in the early 17th century when French settlers established colonies in the region known as Acadia. The first permanent settlement was founded in 1604 on Saint Croix Island by Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons and Samuel de Champlain. Over the next century, the Acadian population grew, developing a unique culture and way of life.

In 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht ceded Acadia to the British, leading to tensions between the British authorities and the Acadian population. These tensions culminated in the Great Expulsion (Le Grand Dérangement) of 1755, when thousands of Acadians were forcibly removed from their homes by the British and dispersed across the American colonies, the Caribbean, and Europe.

Many Acadians eventually settled in Louisiana, where they became known as Cajuns. Others returned to the Maritime provinces of Canada, where they re-established their communities.

Culture

Error creating thumbnail:

Acadians depicted in a painting from 1751

Acadian culture is characterized by its rich traditions in music, dance, and cuisine. The Acadian language, a variant of French, is still spoken by many Acadians today, particularly in New Brunswick and parts of Nova Scotia.

Acadian music is known for its lively rhythms and use of instruments such as the fiddle and accordion. Traditional Acadian dishes include poutine râpée, râpure, and fricot.

Modern Acadian Communities

Today, Acadian communities are primarily found in the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The city of Moncton is often considered the cultural capital of Acadia.

In the United States, the Acadian legacy is most prominent in Louisiana, where the Cajun culture has become an integral part of the state's identity.

Also see

• Cajuns
• Great Expulsion
• Acadian French
• History of Nova Scotia
• French colonization of the Americas

References

• Griffiths, N. E. S. (2005). From Migrant to Acadian: A North American Border People, 1604-1755. McGill-Queen's University Press.
• Faragher, J. M. (2005). A Great and Noble Scheme: The Tragic Story of the Expulsion of the French Acadians from Their American Homeland. W. W. Norton & Company.

External links

• Acadian Genealogy Homepage
• Congrès mondial acadien 2024