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History of Acadia / Nova Scotia 

The Actions to Remove Acadian Culture in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia did not end in the 1700s

10/4/2014

3 Comments

 
The events of the 1700s and the Expulsion continued on in many ways for over two centuries after the Great Upheaval. When and where I grew up - New Brunswick - in the place where Tintamarre was based, there is and was a slim supply of education in French. Which may have been designed to eliminate the French culture in what was Acadia. 

Only a few years after the "expulsion" new English towns sprung up on the very foundations on which Acadians had lived for over a century. And since, French Acadian children have been taught in English, I don't know but can suppose, to eliminate the French language. 

The English planned their expulsion to spread the Acadians among English communities along the Atlantic Coast to have them assimilated. Many of the descendants of those who stayed behind (by fighting back and avoiding the Expulsion) were assimilated by not having access to education in French. This was not unique to Acadians - this was done around the world in places that were "recolonized". We can't determine if this later approach ended up being beneficial for the people or not. And we can't judge events centuries ago against today's values. But there's a pretty good chance if people knew what really happened back then that this Anglicization might not have occurred. 

Ultimately the grand strategy to fully make old Acadia English failed. As of last week, New Brunswick celebrated the election of its second Acadian descended Premier. But the "history" website of Tintamarre as it was known then, barely mentions that it had been an Acadian village. It is time for Sackville, Amherst and Port Elgin to recognize and celebrate their Acadian heritage.
3 Comments
Kelley Broussard link
10/6/2014 01:57:30 pm

Mr. French - I really like the way you said, "And we can't judge events centuries ago against today's values. But there's a pretty good chance if people knew what really happened back then that this Anglicization might not have occurred." It makes me literally sick to my stomach at the way The Expulsion is so widely unrecognized, mostly because it's by and large not something that is really taught nor even mentioned in most of the US Academic History Class's...

I am a direct descendant of Joseph dit Beausoliel Broussard, and even I never once heard of him, or of The Grand Expulsion until I was 31 years old. Thirty One Years Old... In my opinion - that is an unforgivable disgrace and a horrendously gross travesty.

The more I learn about our Ancestors, and the unimaginable atrocities that they were put through - the more outraged I get over the disservice that has been done to the Acadians and their beautiful Culture. I don't know who is to blame for this - but I just don't understand why this isn't more well known...?

Mr. French - I just want to add that you have done such a beautiful job of honoring our Acadian Ancestor's - Through the magic of your words, you are shinning a much needed light on the history that should never EVER be forgotten - made light of - or just abandoned in a time as some sort of forgettable history... Outstanding job - You have done them proud - You have done US proud - and I just so very much commend you, sir.

Reply
Brian
10/11/2014 10:55:58 am

Kelley, your comments humble me.
It is the "greatest story NEVER told..." and I felt a need to tell it, and hope I did it well enough. It was a challenge to reflect both sides of the story - we face similar world situations today.
In the writing of this I caught up with many of the Acadian kids I grew up with and we viewed each other in a different light, I think.
I saw a little (or a lot) of Quila and Mati in them all. Struggling but always with a smile and never giving up.
Thank you,
BLF

Reply
Norman Cormier
5/25/2015 08:18:40 am

Talk about keeping information about Acadian history, I was born, raised and went to school in Moncton. I had to find out about our great Acadian hero Beausoleil Broussard from friends in Louisiana. And to think he was located just a couple of miles upriver from Moncton. I think they were trying to hide something, Huh.

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    Brian Lloyd French

    I was born 3 miles from the scene of the action and played in the places where the principals in Tintamarre lived and died.

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