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Acadian Culture and Acadian Day: Everything You Need to Know

Have you ever wondered why there are French people in Canada? Really, the question is more ‘why are there English people?’

The Acadians, originally from France, were the first permanent settlers of Canada from Europe. If you’ve never heard of us, don’t feel bad. Many Canadians have not either. 

Shippagan lighthouse with Acadian flags and painted lobster pots
Shippagan, New Brunswick

This post will explain you everything you need to know about the Acadian people and Acadian history.

I will tell you about Acadian Day, the Tintamarre, the best places to celebrate the Acadian Festival and common Acadian food. 

As an Acadian from the Acadian Peninsula in New Brunswick and a former Maritimes region tour guide, I’m excited to share more about the Acadians with you. 

Close up of Acadian name signs, each sporting red, white, blue colours adorned with yellow star on top
Family name signs are commonly seen in Acadian communities in the Maritimes

Who are the Acadians?

Canada was (as far as we know) settled by the indigenous people, then the Vikings, and then, and that’s the important part for this story, by the French.

The French started colonising what they called Acadia (place of plenty), an area which now makes up parts of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Maine. After some time living in Acadia, people started calling themselves Acadians

We (the Acadians) had our issues with the local Mi’kmaq people but were on fairly good terms, especially for trading purposes. The Acadians had a few good decades of easy life in this new land.

Shippagan marina view with boat sporting Acadian flags on left. There is a red boat visible in the background, docked next to the walkway
Acadian flags in Shippagan, New Brunswick

The Acadian deportation 

And then the ever-lasting war between the French and English caught up with those living in what is now Canada.

In the mid-18th century, a certain General Wolfe and his second in command Robert Monkton decided they would conquer Canada for England.

Wolfe and his compatriots followed the shore of Acadia, gathered up all Acadians in every village and gave them a choice of either joining the English cause against the French or being deported. 

Most Acadians chose deportation as the other choice would have meant they would have had to fight against family and friends.

Around 10,000 Acadians were forcibly deported from Canada from 1755 to 1763. Some did manage to escape and stay in the Maritimes. 

The church at Grand-Pré in background, with high spire. There is a statue of a woman in the foreground (Evangeline)
The church at Grand-Pré, Nova Scotia with Evangeline statue

After the deportation

Not all of the Acadians made it through the deportation.

A high number of boats never even made it to their final destination. Many people died on the journey to France and American colonies.

But for those who survived, their families were split up and some never saw each other again.

Small brightly coloured house in front of the ocean, painted in the colours of the Acadian flag
Acadian flag house in Grande-Anse, New Brunswick

Some Acadians returned to their land just to find English families now established on them.

Other Acadians hid away with the Mi’kmaq and waited for the war to end. Many exiles settled in Louisiana and over time the word Acadian became corrupted to become Cajun.

In short, the Acadians are the survivors of a war that raged around 1755 and 1763 in Canada. 

Close up of L'Étoilede l'Acadie (Acadian Star) sign with cut out portion on yellow star. JR has put his head through the cut out. The ocean is visible in the background
Sainte-Marie-Saint-Raphaël, New Brunswick

A Guide to Acadian Canada

Acadia itself may not exist anymore, but it is still possible to visit Acadian communities across the Canadian Maritimes.

New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island all have numerous Acadian communities and each has their own special way to help you experience Acadian culture.

Coastline view in Clare County wth rocky foreround and sandy beach in background. The ocean is calm
The coastline in Clare County, Nova Scotia

Where are the Acadians in Canada

Because of the deportation in 1755, Acadians can be found over the world. In Canada, around 70,000 people identify as Acadian.

If you travel across the Canadian Maritimes, the biggest concentration of Acadians can be found in and around:

  • The northeastern shore of New Brunswick, particularly on the Acadian Peninsula (where I’m from)
  • Edmundston, New Brunswick
  • Clare County on the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia
  • Chéticamp on Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
  • The Evangeline region (southwestern coast) of Prince Edward Island
  • Îles de la Madeleine in Quebec
The blue, white and red Acadian flag with yellow star on upper blue portion
The Acadian Flag

The Acadian flag

You will know when you get in to an Acadian community when you start seeing the Acadian flag in front of every house.

The Acadian flag looks like the French tricolor, but with the yellow star in the blue part of the flag.

The blue, white, red tricolor flag represent our French roots and the yellow star represents Mary, the Acadian National symbol.

The Acadian flag was adopted in August 15 1884.

The lighthouse at Grande Anse is painted the Acadian flag colours
Grande-Anse Lighthouse, Acadian Peninsula

The Acadian language

Most Acadians still speak French or what you may call a dialect of French.

If you speak French and can pick up the subtly of the language, you will notice that depending on where you are the dialect can change a lot.

  • The Acadian Peninsula has a very mild accent
  • Acadians from Edmundston speak Brayon
  • The Acadians from the Shediac and Moncton area have a dialect called Chiac (a mixture of French and English)
  • The dialect of Acadians from Clare Country in Nova Scotia is an interesting mixture of old French, English and native Mi’kmaq called St Mary’s Bay French

Of these, Chiac is probably the best known. Many people assume that all Acadians speak Chiac – this is not true. 

Close up of Acadian flag decoration with Mallet name on front
My family name is Mallet, a very common Acadian name

The religion of the Acadians

The first Acadians were Catholics and this is something that is still very present in the landscape of the Maritime Acadian regions.

Many kilometres before even reaching a town or village, it is easy to see church spires. Some of the church are a bit quirky and others are just majestic. 

The altar and ceiling of Sainte-Cècile Church - the walls and ceiling are covered in bright patterns
Inside the vibrant Sainte-Cècile Church in Lameque, Acadian Peninsula, New Brunswick

Acadian music

The music scene has always been big in Acadian culture. It would not be uncommon for everyone in a traditional Acadian family to know how to play an instrument (and Acadians usually have big families)!

Multiple families would gather together to have what we call a kitchen party. The fiddle, guitar, accordion and spoons can usually be heard in traditional Acadian music.

A small lighthouse is painted in the blue, white and red colours of the Acadian flag
Grand Anse Lighthouse, New Brunswick

You don’t even have to wait for the Acadian Festival to hear some traditional music. Take a trip to Abram Village on Prince Edward Island where they offer twice daily performances by local Acadian artists. 

Some modern Acadian artists include:

  • Radio Radio
  • 1755
  • Édith Butler
  • Comté de Clare
  • Lisa LeBlanc
  • P’tit Belliveau
  • Fayo
  • Maggie Savoie
  • Les Hay Babies
Three piece band playing traditional music with a modern twist at Acadian Festival
Radio Radio performing traditional music with a twist at the Acadian Festival, Caraquet

Acadian Food

Traditional Acadian food is not what you may call fine cuisine but more of a good hearty meal.

All regions have specialties but here are some example of common foods you might want to try:

  • Boiled salted cod. This is rarely made in restaurants but you can still find it on special occasions. It is usually served with boiled potatoes, pork belly fried with onions and, (if you are lucky) cod liver
  • Biscuits and molasses. Molasses was a staple in the Acadian pantry. This dish is not so common in restaurants but if you do see biscuits and molasses on the menu you should definitely give it a try!
  • Poutine Râpée. This is not to be confused with the Quebec poutine which is gravy, cheese and fries. Poutine Râpée is a potato dumpling stuffed with pork. You will find this one in along New Brunswick’s Acadian coastline, south of the Acadian Peninsula
  • Rappie pie: You will find rappie pie in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The rappie pie is more like a casserole with the main ingredient being grated potatoes
  • Ploye pancakes. This is something you are more likely find in the Edmunston, New Brunswick, region. Those buckwheat pancakes are cooked only on one side and are best served with molasses
  • Lobster rolls. This is probably not what my ancestors used to eat but lobster rolls are a staple dish in a lot of Acadian takeouts
  • Fried clams. Again, not quite traditional but a modern Acadian classic. They’re also my favourite so I figured fried clams should get a mention. You will find them at roadside fastfood stops
Nova Scotia flag, Canadian flag, Acadian flag flying in the breeze on a sunny day
Nova Scotia flag, Canadian flag, Acadian flag

Acadian historical sites and museums in the Maritimes

If you are curious to learn more about the history of the Acadians, there are plenty of historical sites you can explore in the Maritimes. 

Grand-Pré was a major hub for Acadians in Nova Scotia until the deportation in 1755. Now it is a National Historic Site and museum

Le Village historique acadien in Caraquet is a living museum portrays the way of life for many Acadians between 1770 to 1949. There are live actors, historical buildings and a restaurant with traditional meals. It is possible to stay overnight at the Hôtel Château Albert.

View of Grand-Pré Historic Site in Nova Scotia, with grassy fields, small church and farmland in background
The meadows and views of Grand-Pré Historic Site

There is a smaller but still very interesting Acadian Historical Village in Pubnico in Nova Scotia. The 17 acre village demonstrates the life of Acadian fishermen and their families in the region in the early 20th century. 

Visiting the Abram Village and the Village Musical Acadien on Prince Edward Island is a great way to see talented local Acadian musicians playing traditional music. There is also an onsite restaurant serving traditional Acadian food at reasonable prices. 

Le Pays de la Sagouine is a reenactment of Acadian culture in Boutouche, New Brunswick. Based on the novels by Antonine Maillet, Le Pays de la Sagouine features musical performances and dinner theatre. 

Gravel path leading to wooden buildings at Acadian Historical Village
Acadian Historical Village in Pubnico, Nova Scotia

What is Acadian Day?

National Acadian Day is a holiday for Acadians from all around the world to reunite. Acadian Day has been celebrated since 1881 and happens every year on 15th August.

This day also happens to coincide with the feast of the Assumption of Mary, reflecting importance of Catholicism in Acadian history. 

For a lot of Acadian communities, the 15th August will be the only day that will be celebrated but in others (such as those on the Acadian Peninsula) there will be events happening from the beginning of August. Expect music, performances and activities all over the Acadian peninsula for those 2 weeks. 

JR blowing a horn at the Tintamarre on Acadian Day in Caraquet, New Brunswick
At the Tintemarre in Caraquet

Acadian Day and the Tintamarre

When celebrating Acadian Day in an Acadian area, you can expect the best music show and activities. But what everyone is really waiting for is to take part of the Tintamarre. The meaning of Tintamarre is noise or din in French.

The Tintamarre today is a parade of anyone and everyone who wants to make noise.

This tradition came about in 1955 to show that Acadian culture is well and alive despite attempts to destroy it. The Tintamarre has been called the heartbeat of Acadia in the past.

The largest gathering usually happens in the Acadian Peninsula in Caraquet. Most Acadian communities all around the Canadian Maritimes will have their own Tintamarre. 

Two older ladies dressed head to toe in Acadian merchandise
Well dressed participants at the Acadian Day Tintamarre in Caraquet, Acadian Peninsula

What to bring to the Tintamarre on Acadian Day

Be prepared to walk the streets for about an hour so dress accordingly. This also means you might want to wear the Acadian flag colors of blue white red and yellow.

Crowd with Acadian flags and instruments at the Tintamarre
The Tintamarre on Acadian Day, Caraquet

If you want to take part of the celebration (don’t be shy, Acadians are really welcoming), don’t forget what ever noise contraption of your choice. This could be a pan/pot and spoon, horn, bells and whistles (literally).

Don’t have any Acadian clothes or musical instruments handy? No problem, most local shops will sell merchandise and the dollar store is always great for improvising something!

The Acadians were the first permanent settlers of Canada and yet so many visitors have never heard of them - click here to discover the unique culture, language and history of the Acadian people in the Canadian Maritimes! offtracktravel.ca

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Greg Faber

Monday 10th of July 2023

Thanks for this wonderful post. It’s fascinating to hear and learn about this culture. I’m glad I see tu are keeping it alive.

Gemma

Tuesday 11th of July 2023

Thanks for your comments Greg!

Jeff Deveaux

Friday 23rd of June 2023

Absolutely love NS, we visited in 2003 it felt like home. 7th GGF was Michel Devaux, 5th GGF was Jacques Deveau, founder of Salmon River. GF John was born in Yarmouth and was a member of the CEF. He married an English woman and continued to live in the UK. He apparently used to introduce himself as John "a" Louis "a" Archange. This seemed to be the case when we visited Salmon River and wondered if there is a name for this type of introduction. I think its a brilliant way of remembering our lineage.

Gemma

Tuesday 27th of June 2023

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for your comment. I asked JR and he's not sure of an official name for this type of introduction. He is familiar with the style though!

Luba

Thursday 14th of July 2022

This is really interesting and the celebrations look like a lot of fun! Merci! BTW My kids'Toronto daycare provider was from NB and one time she made everyone ploye. They loved it!

Gemma

Sunday 17th of July 2022

Ploye are so good! Great to hear that you were able to experience such a local favourite in Ontario :)

Daniel G Sauve

Saturday 6th of November 2021

There are some of us that have been living in the center of Canada for the hundred years. Canoe people from the St. Lawrence, launched from the maritimes to escape the Brits in the 1700's. We landed in the Ottawa valley and have been living there since.

Belinda Boucher

Saturday 17th of April 2021

My ancestors began in Pabos, Quebec and my Great Grandfather on a farm in Barachois. Some say was founded by the French some 350 years ago although I believe it’s more like 396 years. Why do most only consider PEI and the like Acadian? My Grandfather prayed only to the Virgin Mary and and loved the sea. I believe myself to be descended from Acadians. His name was Lawrence although I have notes also referring to his family as Laurent. Would you consider Barachois an Acadian village?

Gemma

Tuesday 20th of April 2021

Hi Belinda,

Likely it's just lack of education or misunderstanding. There are Acadians all over the place, there just happens to be a concentration in certain areas of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI. :) We spotted plenty of Acadian flags when we visited Gaspesie in 2018. Jean Robert was told that his family fled to the Gaspe Peninsula after the deportation and hid out there for some time before moving on to New Brunswick.