Upheaval Day: New Brunswick's Unique Tradition

July 28 is the Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval, also known as the Great Expulsion or Grand Dérangement. The day marks the 1755 deportation of 10,000 Acadians from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, under a deportation order issued by King George II. The British feared that the Acadians would side with France, so they violently uprooted them and sent them to the American colonies, Louisiana, or France. The proclamation recognising the wrongs suffered by the Acadians was issued in the name of Queen Elizabeth II in 2003, with the first annual commemoration taking place in 2005 to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the deportation order.

The Royal Proclamation of 2003

The origin of the proclamation dates back to a 1763 petition submitted to King George III by Acadian exiles in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The petition was never responded to, and so in the 1990s, Warren A. Perrin, a Louisiana Acadian attorney and cultural activist, threatened to sue Queen Elizabeth II if the Crown refused to acknowledge the Great Upheaval. After 13 years of discussions, the Canadian government was persuaded to issue the Royal Proclamation of 2003, acknowledging the historical existence of the Great Upheaval and the subsequent suffering of the Acadian people.

The document was signed by Elizabeth II's viceregal representative in Canada, Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, on 31 December 2003. The proclamation states that the Acadian people have made a remarkable contribution to Canadian society for almost 400 years. It acknowledges the tragic consequences of the deportation order, including the deaths of thousands of Acadians from disease, shipwrecks, and in prison camps. It also acknowledges the trials and suffering experienced by the Acadians during the Great Upheaval and expresses hope that the Acadian people can move forward from this dark chapter in their history.

The Great Expulsion/Grand Dérangement

The Great Expulsion, also known as the Grand Dérangement, refers to the forced removal and deportation of the Acadian people from the North American region of Acadia between 1755 and 1764 by Great Britain. Acadia included the present-day Canadian Maritime provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, as well as parts of the US state of Maine.

The Expulsion occurred during the French and Indian War, the North American theatre of the Seven Years' War, and was a result of the British aiming to eliminate any potential military threat posed by the Acadians and to permanently cut off their supply lines to the French fortress of Louisbourg. While some Acadians had participated in French military operations and maintained supply lines to French fortresses, others had remained neutral. However, the British did not differentiate between the two groups and ordered the expulsion of all Acadians.

The first wave of expulsion began in August 1755, with Acadians deported to other British North American colonies. This was followed by a second wave, where they were deported to Britain and France. The deportation order was issued by King George II on July 28, 1755, and this day is now commemorated as "A Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval".

During the expulsion, Acadian lands were given to settlers loyal to Britain, mostly immigrants from New England and Scotland. Thousands of Acadians died due to diseases, starvation, and shipwrecks, with an estimated death toll of around 5,000 out of the approximately 11,5000 deported. Those who survived were scattered and forced to seek new livelihoods, with many eventually settling in Louisiana, where they became the largest ethnic group and developed the culture now known as "Cajun".

The Expulsion of the Acadians is largely regarded as a crime against humanity, and while some scholars debate the use of the term "genocide", it is nonetheless a dark chapter in the history of British colonisation. The impact of the Great Expulsion was not only felt by those directly affected but also by the Acadian communities that remained, as they struggled to rebuild their shattered communities and regain their lands.

The deportation of Acadian settlers

The deportation occurred during the French and Indian War, the North American theatre of the Seven Years' War, and was carried out by Great Britain. The British sought to eliminate any potential military threat posed by the Acadians and cut off their supply lines to French fortresses. While some Acadians remained neutral, others participated in French military operations and maintained supply lines to French forces.

The deportation began in the fall of 1755, with the first removals taking place in settlements around the Bay of Fundy. Approximately 7,000 people were deported from this area, and by the fall, about 1,100 Acadians were aboard transports headed for South Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. The British deportation campaigns specifically targeted males aged 10 years and older, and those who refused to take an unqualified oath of allegiance to Britain were imprisoned or deported.

During the first wave of expulsion, Acadians were deported to other British North American colonies. In the second wave, they were transported to Britain or France, and many eventually migrated to Spanish Louisiana, where they formed the largest ethnic group and became known as "Cajuns." The deportation resulted in the devastation of the Acadian civilian population and the region's economy.

The Expulsion of the Acadians is largely regarded as a crime against humanity, and while the use of the term "genocide" is debated by scholars, it is estimated that approximately 11,500 Acadians were deported out of an estimated total population of 14,100. Thousands died from diseases, starvation, and shipwrecks during the expulsions, and those who remained in the colony eluded capture.

The impact of the Great Upheaval was commemorated in 1847 by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his popular poem "Evangeline," which spread awareness of the expulsion. In 2003, a Royal Proclamation was issued in the name of Queen Elizabeth II, acknowledging the wrongs suffered by the Acadians. July 28 was designated as the Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval, marking the signing of the deportation order on July 28, 1755.

The Acadian people's journey to the American colonies

The Acadians are the descendants of 17th and 18th-century French settlers in parts of Acadia, a northeastern region of North America that now includes the Canadian Maritime provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, as well as the Gaspé peninsula in eastern Quebec and the Kennebec River in southern Maine.

The first wave of expulsion began in 1755, with the Bay of Fundy Campaign, and continued with campaigns along the Petitcodiac River, Saint John River, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence in subsequent years. The Acadians were deported to the Thirteen Colonies, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and South Carolina. Some Acadians were also transported to Britain or France. Those who went to France eventually migrated to other places, including Spanish-controlled Louisiana, where they became the largest ethnic group and were known as "Cajuns."

The second wave of expulsion began after the fall of the French fortress at Louisbourg in 1758. During this time, the British changed their policy and began deporting Acadians directly to France rather than to the British colonies. Thousands of Acadians were deported from Île Saint-Jean (Prince Edward Island) and Île Royale (Cape Breton Island). The sinking of ships transporting Acadians, such as the Duke William and Violet, resulted in the highest number of fatalities during the expulsion.

The Expulsion of the Acadians had devastating consequences, with thousands dying from diseases, starvation, and shipwrecks. It is largely regarded as a crime against humanity, and some scholars debate whether it should be classified as a genocide.

On July 28, 2003, a Royal Proclamation was issued in the name of Queen Elizabeth II, acknowledging the Great Upheaval and establishing that date as an annual Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval. This proclamation closed one of the longest cases in British court history, initiated in 1760 when Acadian representatives first presented their grievances of forced dispossession of land, property, and livestock.

The recognition of Acadians' contributions to Canadian society

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. Today, most Acadian descendants live in the North American region of Acadia, with the largest community in New Brunswick, the only Canadian province that is officially bilingual.

Acadia was located in what is now Eastern Canada's Maritime provinces, as well as parts of Quebec and present-day Maine. It was ethnically, geographically, and administratively distinct from other French colonies, allowing the Acadians to develop a unique history and culture.

The Acadians speak a variety of French called Acadian French, with several regional accents, and most are also fluent in English. They are known for their vibrant culture, with community festivals, family events, music, and parades that showcase their history and heritage.

The Acadians have made significant contributions to Canadian society, and their impact is officially recognized through various means. Firstly, their historical presence on the land and their unique cultural specificity are acknowledged during the National Acadian Day celebrations on August 15. This day has been celebrated since 1881 and was officially recognized by the federal and provincial governments in 2003 and 2004, respectively. It is marked by colourful community events that highlight the Acadians' contributions to Canada's cultural fabric.

Secondly, the Royal Proclamation of 2003, issued in the name of Queen Elizabeth II, acknowledges the wrongs suffered by the Acadians during the Great Upheaval or Great Expulsion of the mid-18th century. Between 1755 and 1763, the British forcefully deported thousands of Acadians from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, resulting in tragic consequences, including the deaths of many Acadians. The proclamation designates July 28 as the "Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval," providing an opportunity for remembrance and recognition of the Acadians' resilience and endurance.

Additionally, the Congrès Mondial Acadien, held every five years, serves as a platform for Acadians worldwide to unite and celebrate their shared culture and history. The first gathering took place in 1994 across nine municipalities in southeastern New Brunswick, and subsequent events have been held in various Acadian regions, including Louisiana and Nova Scotia.

The Acadians' contributions to Canadian society are also evident in their pioneering spirit and their role as builders of the country. They were skilled farmers who reclaimed land from the sea by building dikes to control water and drain wetlands. Additionally, they have left a lasting impact on the country's demographics and cultural diversity. While some Acadians intermarried with Indigenous Peoples, particularly the Mi'kmaq, others resettled in various parts of North America, including Louisiana, where they developed the Cajun culture.

In conclusion, the recognition of Acadians' contributions to Canadian society is manifested through official commemorations, such as National Acadian Day and the Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval, as well as cultural events like the Congrès Mondial Acadien. Their resilience, cultural diversity, and historical presence have enriched Canada's cultural fabric, and their contributions continue to be celebrated and remembered.

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