In 1755, the governors of Halifax and Massachusetts combined the former's land forces with the latter's ships and, without authorization from London, launched the Deportation of the Acadians. More than two-thirds of the Acadian population were forced out of their homes and shipped to a variety of destinations: some to Massachusetts and the Virginias, some to Louisiana, others back to France, to the Channel Islands, and a few even to southern England. Their lands around Minas Basin were re-surveyed and sold to incoming, mostly Scottish settlers; revenues from the sale were mostly pocheted by the two governors.
The stuggles of the transplanted Acadian people to maintain their language, religion and cultural identity have continued to this day - with amazing success, given the circumstances. The Cajuns of Louisiana are well known as a dynamic and resurgent group; Acadinas who managed to stay in the Maritimes have developed a strong, unified culture (give or take some frequent sqabbling); the European groups have, to a considerable extent, resisted being submerged in the culture of their new homelands; and large Acadian populations have developed in Québec, Ontario, Maine and Texas.
In 1994, the first World Congress of Acadians was held in and aroud Dieppe, New-Brunswick. The number of pariticipants from around the world exceeded the population of Acadia in 1755. A second World Congress is planned for Louisiana in 1999, and the biggest blast of all is reserved for the congress which will celebrate the 400th anniversary of Acadian settlement , in 2004!
The ALBERTA ACADIAN SOCIETY, founded in 1986 is an organization which seeks to bring together Acadians now settled in this province. The society's focus is social and cultural, rather than political. One major event each year is the Lobster Supper, held in late May or early June in Edmonton. This (1996) will be our thent annual Lobster Supper, featuring as usual fresh-caught lobster flown in from New-Brunswick. You dont' have to be Acadian to love it!