New Brunswickers: The People Of New Brunswick

People from New Brunswick, one of Canada's maritime provinces, are commonly referred to as New Brunswickers. This term is inclusive of all residents of the province, regardless of their background or ethnicity, and reflects the unifying spirit of the province and its people. However, there are alternative names for people from New Brunswick, depending on their regional or cultural background. For instance, some residents of northern New Brunswick, known for its Acadian heritage, may refer to themselves as Acadiens or Acadians, while those from the Mi'kmaq First Nation may identify as Mi'kmaq or Mi'kmaq people. Another nickname for New Brunswick locals is Loyalist, referring to those who remained loyal to the British crown during the American Revolution and settled in the province after the war. Additionally, the term Maniac is also used to refer to residents of New Brunswick, particularly those born and raised in the province, although the origin of this moniker is unclear.

New Brunswickers

New Brunswick is one of Canada's Maritime provinces, known for its beautiful countryside, sandy beaches, and friendly people. The most common term for people from New Brunswick is "New Brunswickers". This term is inclusive of all residents of the province, regardless of their background or ethnicity, and reflects the unifying spirit of the province.

New Brunswick has a rich cultural heritage, with a diverse population that includes Francophone and Anglophone communities, as well as Indigenous peoples such as the Mi'kmaq, Maliseet, and Passamaquoddy. The province also has a unique linguistic landscape, with distinct French dialects such as Chiac and Acadian French being spoken in the region.

While "New Brunswickers" is the most widely used term, there are a few other nicknames and terms used to describe people from the province. Here are some examples:

• Herring-chokers: This nickname is commonly associated with the Maritime provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, but especially New Brunswick. It refers to Scandinavian settlers who fished for herring and consumed them as a staple in their diets. The term may also be related to the practice of removing herring from gill nets by their gills.
• Maniacs: The origin of this moniker is unclear, but it is speculated that it may be derived from the "Madawaska" region of New Brunswick, which is named after a river in the area. The French pronunciation of "Madawaska" sounds similar to "Maniac". Another theory suggests that the term "Maniac" reflects the intense passion and enthusiasm of New Brunswick residents for their province.
• Loyalists: This term refers to those who remained loyal to the British crown during the American Revolution and later settled in New Brunswick. Many of these individuals were granted land in the province as a reward for their loyalty, and their descendants still reside there today.
• Acadians: This term specifically refers to the French-speaking population of New Brunswick who are descendants of the original French settlers from the 17th century. Acadians are known for their resilient spirit and strong sense of community.

It is important to note that while these nicknames and terms are used, the people of New Brunswick value their individuality and uniqueness. They prefer to be recognised and respected for their personal identities and characteristics rather than being grouped under generic labels.

Herring-chokers

People from New Brunswick, Canada, are sometimes referred to as 'Herring-chokers'. This term is derived from the stereotype that people living in the Maritimes, a group of three provinces in Canada that includes New Brunswick, only eat fish, particularly herring.

The term 'Herring-chokers' is also used to refer to people of Scandinavian descent or to refer specifically to people of Irish descent whose ancestors settled in New Brunswick, Canada.

The term 'Herring-chokers' is used in contrast to 'Bluenosers', which is a term for people from Nova Scotia, another of the Maritime provinces.

New Brunswick is bordered by Quebec to the north, Nova Scotia to the east, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence to the northeast, the Bay of Fundy to the southeast, and the U.S. state of Maine to the west. The province is about 83% forested and its northern half is occupied by the Appalachians. New Brunswick has a surface area of 72,908 km2 (28,150 sq mi) and 775,610 inhabitants (as of the 2021 census).

New Brunswick was named in 1784 in honour of George III, who was King of Great Britain, King of Ireland, and prince-elector of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire (until 1806) in what is now Germany.

Loyalists

The term "Loyalist" refers to a group of people who remained loyal to the British crown during the American Revolution and settled in New Brunswick after the war. Many of these loyalists were granted land in New Brunswick as a reward for their loyalty, and today, their descendants still live in the province. The term "Loyalist" is often used to describe someone who has a deep-rooted history in the province and is proud of their heritage.

The Loyalists played a significant role in the history of New Brunswick. In 1784, following the arrival of many Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution, the colony of New Brunswick was officially created, separating it from what is now Nova Scotia. The Loyalists who received land allocations were dissatisfied with being governed from Halifax due to the distance. Therefore, on June 18, 1784, the British government established a new province for them: New Brunswick. This province was formed from the partition of Sunbury County from the remainder of Nova Scotia.

In total, it is believed that around 14,000 Loyalist refugees came to New Brunswick, although 10% eventually returned to the United States. The arrival of the Loyalists contributed to the population growth and economic development of New Brunswick. The province's first elected assembly was formed in the same year, with Thomas Carleton serving as the first governor.

The Loyalists who settled in New Brunswick brought with them their traditions, cultures, and values, which helped shape the province's unique character. They contributed to various industries, such as agriculture and shipping, and played a significant role in the province's political and social life. The Loyalist influence can still be seen in the province's culture, customs, and institutions.

Today, the term "Loyalist" is a source of pride for many residents of New Brunswick, especially those with a long historical connection to the province. It represents their strong sense of loyalty, commitment, and dedication to their community and heritage. The descendants of the original Loyalists often embrace this term as part of their identity, reflecting their deep roots and sense of belonging in New Brunswick.

Acadians

The Acadians are an ethnic group descended from the French who settled in the New France colony of Acadia during the 17th and 18th centuries. Acadia was one of the five regions of New France, located in what is now Eastern Canada's Maritime provinces, as well as parts of Quebec and present-day Maine.

The Acadians' distinct history and culture were shaped by their ethnically, geographically, and administratively diverse context within the French colonies. They developed unique traditions, such as dyking technology, which allowed them to cultivate marshes left by the Bay of Fundy's tides, and tightly-knit independent communities due to being often neglected by French authorities.

During the French and Indian War (known as the Seven Years' War in Canada), British colonial officers suspected Acadians of aligning with France, leading to the Great Expulsion (Le Grand Dérangement) between 1755 and 1764. Approximately 11,500 Acadians were forcefully deported from the maritime region, with about one-third perishing from disease and drowning. This event has been described as an ethnic cleansing of Acadians from Maritime Canada.

Many Acadians were deported to various locations, including New England, Georgia, England, the Caribbean, and France. Some eventually made their way to Louisiana, where they settled alongside the existing Louisiana Creole communities and developed what became known as Cajun culture.

Despite the challenges of exile and relocation, Acadians have preserved their unique traditions and culture, which continues to attract visitors to New Brunswick. They celebrate their heritage through music, festivals, cuisine, and Tintamarre Workshops, where they craft masks, costumes, and carnival accessories. The Village Historique Acadien, Kouchibouguac National Park, and the Monument Lefebvre National Historic Site are all destinations that showcase Acadian history and culture.

Bluenoses

The nickname "Bluenoses" (or "Bluenosers") is now used exclusively for people from Nova Scotia, but it's possible that New Brunswickers were also once called Bluenoses. The origin of the term is obscure, but it may be connected to potatoes. In 1815, a volcano in Indonesia erupted and caused the "summer of horrors", during which winter lasted for 12 months in much of the world. Despite this, Nova Scotians managed to grow a good crop of potatoes, which had deep blue, pointed noses. In 1817, many Nova Scotians moved to Ontario and donated their potatoes to farmers who were still suffering from crop destruction. The people of Ontario called the potatoes "blue noses", and the name was eventually transferred to the people of Nova Scotia.

However, Nova Scotians were called Bluenoses before 1817. In 1785, Jacob Bailey, a Loyalist clergyman who had fled the American Revolution, referred to New Englanders who had settled in Nova Scotia in the 1760s as "blue noses, to use a vulgar appellation". Thomas Chandler Haliburton, a famous Nova Scotian writer, wrote in 1849:

> "The Nova Scotian...is a handy, frank, good-natured, hospitable, manly fellow, and withal quite good looking, as his air gives you to understand he thinks himself to be. Such is the gentleman known throughout America as Mr. Blue Nose, a sobriquet acquired from a superior potato of that name."

It's worth noting that "Bluenose" was also the name of a famous racing ship from Nova Scotia that became a symbol of Canada in the 1920s and 1930s. The ship's image now appears on the Canadian dime.

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