Acadians/Cajans

Who are the Acadians?  How are they related to the Cajans?

The Acadians are French who came to “New France” during the 17th century and settled in the region called Acadia, located in what are now the Maritime Provinces of Canada.. They primarily came from the central western region of France. Being isolated from other French settlers, the Acadians developed a distinct history and culture in their new home.  Between 1755-1764 the British expelled the Acadians from the territory.  Some were deported to England, some to the Caribbean, and others to France.  Many were recruited by the Spanish to migrate to Louisiana where they settled along-side the Creoles and developed the Cajan culture.

Today Abram Village on the North Coastal route is one of several Acadian settlements in the central part of Prince County west of Summerside. It is know for its Acadian Cultural Center. It is on a harbor that has had several names. In Mi’kmaw, it is called Katewpijk. Or “eel trap place.” The Acadians continued to use that name after they arrived in the 1720s.  Then, toward the end of the French regime, just a few years before the deportation of the Acadians from Isle Saint-Jean (PEI) in 1758, a different name appeared: Havre aux Sauvages. Then the English translated it to Savage Harbour. While there is talk of changing the name again, it is still Savage Harbor.

Close to Abram Village is Skmaqn–Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst National Historic Site.  Originally established by the French in 1720.  This was the first permanent settlement of Europeans on Île Saint-Jean.  Later in 1858,this is the site of major deportation of French and Acadian settlers, some of whom ended up in Louisiana.

This is a tribute to the Grand Dérangement or deportation of over 10,000 French and Acadian people.  Interestingly, the monument is three sided—each side in a different language: French, English, and Mi’kmaq.

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