THE ACADIAN STORY Welcome to Cajun Country is

THE ACADIAN STORY

“Welcome to Cajun Country” is a phrase you have probably heard often. But who are Acadians and how did they become Cajuns? How did this group end up in Louisiana? Where did their story begin? We will answer a few of those questions as we learn more about “The Acadian Odyssey” and the roots of that legacy. Photo by Theresa Hardy

would later become known as “Cajuns” began their journey from the rural areas of the Vendee region of western France. Around 1604, some French men and women began settling in “Acadie, ” (now Nova Scotia, Canada) and they were called Nova Scotia Map (Wikipedia

Vendee Region of France Acadie (Nova Scotia) Phase 1

About sixty French families were established in this area during the seventeenth century. The group learned about hunting and fishing techniques from the Aboriginal Mi'kmaq. (Native American people who lived around Canada's Atlantic Providence) Wikipedia Photo

For the most part, the Acadians lived mainly in the coastal regions. Farming and fishing were important to the Acadians often found themselves on the front lines in conflict between French and British powers who were fighting for control of North America.

After the French Acadians settled in “Acadie, ” ownership of the colony changed hands between the English and French several times. The Acadians tried to remain neutral and were called “French Neutrals. ” Each wanted ownership of the area. After a century, in 1713, Great Britain acquired permanent control of “Acadie. ” A group of Acadians moved to other areas controlled by France, but most remained as British subjects.

The British felt compelled that to establish their sovereignty in the Canadian region. They felt a need to colonize the area with British subjects. So expulsion of French Acadian people was what the British believed needed to be done. The forced removal of Acadians was cruel and is now called ethnic cleansing or genocide. Photo courtesy of the Acadian Museum .

After being in “Acadie” for 150 years, the Acadians were faced with a cruel and major upheaval. On July 28, 1755, Charles Lawrence, the British governor of “Acadie” ordered what many call the “The Great Upheaval” Other terms used are Great Expulsion, The Deportation, the Acadian Expulsion, or to the deportees, Le Grand Dérangement. Photo courtesy of the Acadian Museum .

forced removal of the Acadians from their homeland in 1755. To prevent their return, houses and farms were burned. Acadians were taken into custody by British officers and then herded onto British ships and were exiled. Some Acadians escaped led by Joseph Beausoleil Broussard. They mounted a guerilla war campaign against the The Joseph Beausoleil Broussard Portrait was painted by Robert Dafford. Photo courtesy of the Acadian Museum.

� Le Grand Dérangement dispersed the Acadians to British colonies along North America’s eastern coast. Some groups refused to receive them and they were sent to England.

Acadian families were separated and shipped to various destinations including seven British American colonies: �Connecticut �New York �Pennsylvania �Maryland �Massachusetts �South Carolina �Georgia After the war, some were sent to French Caribbean (Antilles, Martinique, St. Domingue), while others went back to France. Map from Wikipedia

Many families were separated as men and boys were imprisoned. Many Acadians under twenty-one years old were made servants to farmers in Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania. Others were shipped to South Carolina and Georgia. Of those sent to South Carolina, reportedly one in ten survived.

Exiled Acadians numbered more than 12, 000. Some historians estimate that close of fifty percent of these people died as a direct consequence of the expulsion, also called the Diaspora.

Some exiled groups were unhappy and decided to move. Of those, some found their way to south Louisiana and began settling in the rural areas west of New Orleans. By the early 1800’s, nearly 4, 000 Acadians had arrived and settled in Louisiana.

Acadian settlement locations included: � St. John Parish � St. James Parish � Attakapas region (St. Martin Parish) � St. Gabriel, Louisiana � Vidalia (old location) � Natchitoches (settlers relocated to Opelousas) � Bayou Lafourche area

Early Acadian Settlement in Louisiana Natchitoches Relocated to Opelousas Vidalia (Concordia Parish) Opelousas St. Landry Parish St. Martin Parish (Attakapas Region) St. Gabriel St. John Parish St. James Parish Bayou Lafourche

River/Bayou Settlements Spanish land grants along the Mississippi River were the first settlements for the Acadians in Louisiana � Later Acadian arrivals were given land on Bayou Lafourche and Bayou Teche � These Acadians used the rich soil for farming cotton as a cash crop �

Wetland Settlements Lived on swamp levees like in the Atachafalaya River basin � Made a living by hunting and fishing; eventually lived on house boats � In the marshes Acadians realized they could graze cattle in the winter months �

Once settled, Acadians picked up their former life styles. They farmed, fished, built self-sufficient homes, retained their French language. Many lived in the bayou country where they hunted, fished, trapped, and lived off the Mississippi River. Photo courtesy of the Acadian Museum .

Basin onto southwest Louisiana’s prairies to raise cattle and rice. Through the years, the French language changed as did their architecture, music, and food. Cajuns today are renowned for their unique culture, music, food, and traditions. Wikipedia Photo

Prairie Settlements � � Developed in two areas differently Eastern Lifestyle - the rich soil supported crops (cotton was the main cash crop) and the area quickly became densely settled Western Lifestyle - was at first characterized by small towns and cattle ranches Life changed in the western prairies with the introduction of the railroad, rice farming, the discovery of oil, and agricultural mechanization

Over time the Acadians in Louisiana became known as “Cajuns” (which is an English word) as they adapted to their new home and its environment. The immigration to Louisiana of different cultures created a different culture; however the Cajun culture remained dominant. Cajuns are credited for starting the cattle industry. Cajuns had the first cattle brand registered in Louisiana's official brand book.

During 1785 on seven ships, the next major wave of 2, 000 Acadians arrived in Louisiana from France. By 1785, three Catholic parishes had been established for Cajuns.

In 1843, Alexander Mouton was elected the first Acadian governor of Louisiana. He was Louisiana’s 12 th Governor. Alexander Mouton Wikipedia Photo

Cajun subsistence rice cultivation grew into one of Louisiana's main industries. In 1867, Cajuns established the first shrimp canning operation. Shrimp continue to be the Cajun's major fishing industry. Photo by Theresa Hardy

Acadian Triangle Alexandria This map represents the area of Louisiana with the largest concentration of Acadian settlements and their living descendents. The area is officially designated as the Acadian Triangle and has its own Acadian flag. Cameron Bayou Lafourche

The gold star on the white background represents the Virgin Mary, (Our Lady of Assumption), Patroness of the Acadians. This represented their Catholic faith. Another interpretation is that the star is a reminder of the efforts of the Acadian volunteers in removing British from areas adjacent to the Spanish Louisiana boarder (Baton Rouge, Mobile, Pensacola) under Louisiana Governor Galvez. The three fleurde-lis on the blue field represent the French heritage. The fleur-de-lis is a symbol of the kings of France. The gold castle (or tower) on the red field represents the Spanish kingdom, who allowed and even assisted the Acadians in settling their new homeland.

Language Difficulties 1915 – Banned French to be spoken 1918 – German could not be spoken 1921 – All languages except English was prohibited 1955 – Language acts repealed

In 1990, Warren Perrin, a Louisiana Attorney and a Cajun descendant of Acadian exiles, delivered a petition to the British government seeking from Queen Elizabeth II an official apology for what had been done to the Acadians. After 13 years of negotiations, on December 9, 2003, the Royal Proclamation was singed, an official acknowledgment of responsibility by the Crown of England. Photo from The Acadian Museum in Erath, Louisiana

Cajuns are an ethnic group of the descendants of Acadian exiles. Today, the Cajuns make up a significant portion of south Louisiana's population. Their Cajun and Acadian legacy has undoubtedly had an impact the state's culture. a n a i d a c A

have occurred through the journey of this group, but the one constant of the Acadian heritage has been a true pride in their roots. A legacy that will forever lie in their ancestor’s struggles for survival. Photo by Theresa Hardy

The End Acadiana Region in Louisiana (Wikipedia Map)

Acadians resettled in small numbers in cities across the Eastern seaboard, and Evangeline searches each for her love. She eventually gives up, settles in Philadelphia, becomes a nun and works at a hospital. After many years, she finally encounters Gabriel once again— now a sick old man. He dies in her arms, she soon follows him to the grave.

A Mrs. Voorheis said that she was the adoptive mother of a girl named Emmeline Labiche – whose story that Longfellow heard, and who renamed her Evangeline, presumably for creative effect. In his version, the lovers reunite not in Philadelphia but in St. Martinville, under a Live Oak tree that stretches its branches towards the chocolate brown waters of the Bayou Teche. They embrace passionately and all was well until Gabriel (actual name: Louis) suddenly remembered that he had remarried in the years that passed. Evangeline later goes insane and dies.