Acadians | The Canadian Encyclopedia
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Acadians

This timeline highlights events and people related to Acadian History.

  1. March 15, 1603

    Champlain's Astrolabe

    Politics and Society 

    Champlain's First Trip

    Samuel de Champlain boarded the Bonne-Renommée at Honfleur, France, destined for New France, as a private passenger on Gravé Du Pont's expedition.

  2. July 15, 1603

    Port-Royal (Champlain's Drawing)

    Politics and Society 

    Champlain Arrives at Gaspé

    Samuel de Champlain arrived at Gaspé, where he first heard about Acadia.

  3. January 01, 1606

    Port-Royal (Champlain's Drawing)

    Arts, Culture and Identity  Politics and Society 

    Founding of the Ordre de Bon Temps

    Ordre de Bon Temps ("Order of Good Cheer"), was founded at Port-Royal by Samuel de Champlain to maintain spirits and pass the time. Members took turns providing fresh game and, as chief steward of the day, leading a ceremonial procession to the table.

  4. September 05, 1606

    Politics and Society 

    Expedition to Massachusetts

    Samuel de Champlain and Jean de Poutrincourt launched another expedition from Port-Royal to explore the coast of Massachusetts, hoping to establish friendly relationships with the Secoudon and Messamouet in the area. Their efforts were met with hostility and soon abandoned.

  5. November 14, 1606

    Arts, Culture and Identity 

    Marc Lescarbot's Theatre

    Marc Lescarbot put on the first European theatrical production in Canada, or North America, called Le Théâtre de Neptune.

  6. August 11, 1607

    Politics and Society 

    Port-Royal Abandoned

    The Port-Royal settlement was abandoned on orders from France. On Sept 3, after skirting the Straits of Canso and mapping the Atlantic coastline from Cape Breton to the south of Cap Blanc, Samuel de Champlain and the other voyagers headed home to St Malo. Only Poutrincourt would return, in 1610.

  7. January 01, 1608

    Mathieu Da Costa

    Historical Figures and Acadians 

    First Black Person in Canada

    The first Black person thought to have set foot on Canadian soil was Mathieu Da Costa, a free man who was hired by Europeans to act as a translator.

  8. January 07, 1608

    Politics and Society 

    de Monts's Monopoly Renewed

    Henri IV of France renewed de Monts's fur-trade monopoly, temporarily saving the colony at Port-Royal.

  9. April 13, 1608

    Champlain's Drawing of Tadoussac

    Politics and Society 

    Champlain Leaves on 3rd Voyage

    As lieutenant to the Sieur de Monts, Samuel de Champlain set out on his third voyage to New France. He arrived at Tadoussac on 3 June.

  10. May 22, 1611

    Port-Royal (Champlain's Drawing)

    Politics and Society 

    First Jesuits Arrive in New France

    The first Jesuits to arrive in New France, Pierre Biard and Ennemond Massé, arrived at Port-Royal on May 22, 1611.

  11. May 07, 1620

    Port-Royal (Champlain's Drawing)

    Politics and Society 

    Champlain Becomes Governor

    Louis XIII wrote to Samuel de Champlain, commissioning him to govern New France and to do so in accordance with the laws and customs of France. From that point, Champlain devoted himself almost exclusively to administration and his career as an explorer ended.

  12. March 29, 1632

    Habitation at Quebec

    Politics and Society 

    Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye

    France recovered Québec from England in the Treaty of Saint-Germain, along with compensation for goods siezed when Champlain surrendered Québec.

  13. May 10, 1632

    Port-Royal

    Historical Figures and Acadians  Politics and Society 

    Isaac de Razilly becomes governor of Acadia

    Isaac de Razilly was selected to lead an expedition to re-establish the colony of Acadia after three years of Scottish occupation. With his headquarters at La Hève and an establishment of some 300 soldiers and colonists, Razilly worked effectively to consolidate the French hold on Acadia until his unexpected death in 1635.

  14. March 01, 1633

    Port-Royal (Champlain's Drawing)

    Politics and Society 

    Champlain Recommended to Lead Colony

    Asked by Cardinal Richelieu to take command of the colony, Isaac de Razilly deferred to Champlain as being “more competent in colonial affairs.”

  15. December 25, 1635

    Habitation at Quebec

    Historical Figures and Acadians 

    Death of Champlain

    Champlain died at Québec. He had suffered a stroke the previous October and signed his will November 17.

  16. April 13, 1645

    Politics and Society 

    Attack on Fort La Tour

    D'Aulnay de Charnisay attacked Fort La Tour. La Tour's wife surrendered on the understanding that the garrison would be spared but Charnisay executed all the men but one, who had agreed to be executioner.

  17. February 02, 1650

    Politics and Society 

    Birth of Sir William Phips

    Sir William Phips, adventurer, was born near Kennebec, Maine.

  18. February 25, 1651

    Acadian Village

    Historical Figures and Acadians  Politics and Society 

    La Tour Made Governor

    Charles de La Tour was made governor of Acadia.

  19. August 16, 1654

    Port-Royal

    Politics and Society 

    Sedgwick Captures Port-Royal

    Robert Sedgwick, commander-in-chief of the New England coast, captured Port-Royal.

  20. February 12, 1661

    Historical Figures and Acadians  Politics and Society 

    Birth of Daniel de Subercase

    Daniel d’Auger de Subercase, last governor of French Acadia, was born at Orthez, France.

  21. July 21, 1667

    Acadia

    Politics and Society 

    Treaty of Breda

    The Treaty of Breda provided for French restoration of the English part of the island of St Christopher's, West Indies, in exchange for Acadia, captured from the French in 1654.

  22. May 19, 1690

    Port-Royal (Champlain's Drawing)

    Politics and Society 

    Phips Plunders Port-Royal

    Sir William Phips captured and plundered Port-Royal.

  23. September 30, 1697

    Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville, soldier

    Politics and Society 

    Treaty of Ryswick

    The Treaty of Ryswick between England and France provided for the restoration of all Hudson's Bay Co posts seized by Pierre le Moyne d'Iberville.

  24. May 15, 1702

    Politics and Society 

    England Declares War on France

    England declared war on France, beginning the War of the Spanish Succession; it lasted until 1713.

  25. October 05, 1710

    Port-Royal (Champlain's Drawing)

    Politics and Society 

    Nicholson Captures Port-Royal

    Francis Nicholson and an English force of 2000 men captured Port-Royal.

  26. April 11, 1713

    Politics and Society 

    Treaty of Utrecht Signed

    The Treaty of Utrecht was signed, ending the War of the Spanish Succession. It recognized the claim of the Hudson's Bay Co to Rupert's Land, and Acadia became a permanent English possession.

  27. March 07, 1719

    Politics and Society 

    Contract for Construction of Louisbourg

    A contract was signed for the building of the King’s Bastion and citadel barracks of Louisbourg. Contractor Michel-Philippe Isabeau became known for his speedy work but also for his poor bookkeeping, exploitation of contract loopholes and habit of paying workers in goods (especially liquor). Isabeau died in 1724, and the work was carried on by others for another 20 years before the great fortress was finally complete.

  28. October 19, 1744

    Politics and Society 

    War of the Austrian Succession

    Britain declared war on Spain, opening the hostilities that led to the War of the Austrian Succession, called King George's War in the colonies.

  29. June 17, 1745

    Fortress of Louisbourg

    Politics and Society 

    Louisbourg Surrenders

    The fortress of Louisbourg surrendered to the English.

  30. February 11, 1747

    Château Ramezay

    Politics and Society 

    Ramezay's Attack on Grand Pré

    Claude de Ramezay, guided by Acadians, attacked the British position at Grand Pré.

  31. October 18, 1748

    Politics and Society 

    Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle

    The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle ended the War of the Austrian Succession. PEI, Cape Breton Island and Louisbourg were returned to France.

  32. July 28, 1755

    Acadian singer Jeanne (Doucet) Currie.

    Politics and Society 

    Expulsion of the Acadians

    Between 1755 and 1763, approximately 10,000 Acadians are deported after delegates refuse to take an oath of allegiance to Britain.  Acadians, the first French community in Canada, are allies of the Mi’kmaq and possess a distinctive culture. Following the Acadian Expulsion, thousands die of disease or starvation.

  33. July 26, 1758

    Fortress of Louisbourg

    Politics and Society 

    Louisbourg Surrenders

    The fortress of Louisbourg surrendered for the last time. The French inhabitants were returned to France.

  34. August 08, 1759

    Politics and Society 

    Andrew Rollo Captures Île Saint-Jean

    Brigadier-General Andrew Rollo, the 5th Lord Rollo, captured Île Saint-Jean (now Prince Edward Island) from the French at the height of the Seven Years'' War. Roughly 3,500 Acadians were swiftly repatriated to France whilst Rollo constructed Fort Amherst in honour of, and on orders from, General Jeffrey Amherst.

  35. February 10, 1763

    Death of Wolfe

    Politics and Society 

    Treaty of Paris 1763

    The Treaty of Paris was signed, ending the Seven Years' War. France ceded to Britain all North American possessions except Saint-Pierre and Miquelon off Nfld, and Louisiana (sold in 1803). The treaty authorized freedom of religion in the colony.

  36. October 07, 1763

    Politics and Society 

    Royal Proclamation

    The Royal Proclamation was issued by King George III, setting the western boundary of British settlement following the Seven Years War. Historic, foundational, flawed, the Proclamation stated that Aboriginal title had existed and continued to exist. All land was considered Aboriginal land until ceded by treaty, which could only be annexed by the Crown.

  37. August 16, 1784

    Politics and Society 

    New Brunswick Separates

    New Brunswick was established as a separate colony from Nova Scotia.

  38. August 22, 1800

    Historical Figures and Acadians 

    Birth of Edward Barron Chandler

    Edward Barron Chandler was born in Amherst, Nova Scotia. Popular in New Brunswick’s political circles, Chandler served in the House of Assembly. A Father of Confederation, he attended the major Confederation conferences, though he did not support Sir John A. Macdonald’s push for centralization.

  39. February 08, 1839

    Politics and Society 

    Aroostook War

    New Brunswick and Maine clashed over lumbering in what became known as the Aroostook War (sometimes called the Pork and Beans War), over the undefined border.

  40. May 01, 1846

    Historical Figures and Acadians 

    Birth of Sir Pierre-Amand Landry

    Sir Pierre-Amand Landry, lawyer, politician, judge, first NB Acadian Cabinet minister and Supreme Court judge, and the only knighted Acadian, born at Memramcook, NB.

  41. October 20, 1847

    Arts, Culture and Identity 

    Publication in Boston of Evangeline, A Tale of Acadia

    Evangeline is a narrative poem (1847) by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow inspired by the expulsion of the Acadians in 1755. The poem tells of the love and wanderings of two young Acadians, Évangéline Bellefontaine and Gabriel Lajeunesse, who, the day after their betrothal, were deported from Grand Pré, NS, on different Louisiana-bound ships. The pair are reunited years later in a Philadelphia almshouse where she, now a Sister of Mercy, finds him destitute and dying.

  42. February 15, 1852

    Arts, Culture and Identity  Historical Figures and Acadians  Politics and Society 

    Birth of Pascal Poirier

    Pascal Poirier, one of the leading figures of the Acadian Renaissance, was born in Shediac, NB. In 1885, he became the first Acadian appointed to the Senate.

  43. June 20, 1854

    Historical Figures and Acadians  Politics and Society 

    Stanislas Poirier (Perry) elected to the PEI Assembly

    Stanislas-François Poirier (Perry) became the first Acadian elected to the House of Assembly of Prince Edward Island. Twenty years later, in 1874, he became the first Acadian Member of Parliament.

  44. October 04, 1863

    Historical Figures and Acadians  Politics and Society 

    Birth of Peter John Veniot

    Born in Richibucto, NB, Peter John Veniot, "Pierre," is the first Acadian NB premier from 1923 to 1925 (non-elected). He succeeded W.E. Foster as premier in 1923 and supported public ownership of the provincial hydro system and the Maritime Rights Movement. He was recognized as the leader of Acadian Liberalism. Following the defeat of his party in 1925, he ran successfully as MP for Gloucester and was appointed postmaster general by PM King. He sat as an MP until his death in 1936.

  45. October 10, 1864

    Arts, Culture and Identity 

    Collège Saint-Joseph de Memramcook founded in NB

    Father Camille Lefebvre, member of the congregation of the Fathers of Sainte-Croix, founded the Collège Saint-Joseph in Memramcook, New Brunswick. The establishment of this institution was significant because the graduates quickly began to play active roles in the Acadian community and, with the help of the clergy, started questioning their own identity and asserting their aspirations as francophones in an anglophone environment. Collège Saint-Joseph was one of three colleges that merged in 1963 to become the Université de Moncton.

  46. March 05, 1867

    Arts, Culture and Identity 

    Le Moniteur Acadien founded

    The first Acadian newspaper, Le Moniteur Acadien, was founded by Israël Landry in Shediac, New Brunswick. The paper, whose first issue appeared on 8 July 1867, marked the beginning of the Acadian Renaissance.

  47. July 28, 1870

    Historical Figures and Acadians 

    Birth of Aubin-Edmond Arsenault

    Premier of PEI Aubin-Edmond Arsenault was born at Egmont Bay, PEI. Arsenault was the first Acadian premier of any Canadian province.

  48. May 17, 1871

    Politics and Society 

    New Brunswick Schools

    The New Brunswick government passed the Common Schools Act to strengthen and reform the school system. At the same time, it abandoned an informal system of separate schools that had grown up since the 1850s.

  49. January 22, 1874

    Historical Figures and Acadians  Politics and Society 

    Stanislas Poirier (Perry) elected to the House of Commons

    Stanislas-François Poirier (Perry) became the first Acadian Member of Parliament, twenty years after becoming the first Acadian elected to the House of Assembly of Prince Edward Island.

  50. February 06, 1880

    Historical Figures and Acadians  Politics and Society 

    Death of Edward Barron Chandler

    Edward Barron Chandler, a Father of Confederation, died in Fredericton, NB. Born to a prominent family, Chandler was deeply involved in the region’s politics. He was interested in constructing a Maritime rail line to Québec City and developing ties with the United States. Chandler also fought for Acadian language and cultural rights.

  51. July 20, 1881

    Arts, Culture and Identity  Politics and Society 

    First National Acadian Convention

    The first National Acadian Convention was held in Memramcook, New Brunswick. Chaired by MP Pierre-Amand Landry, the convention drew over 5,000 people and saw the establishment of National Acadian Day on 15 August, Assumption Day.

  52. August 15, 1884

    Arts, Culture and Identity  Politics and Society 

    Flag of Acadia adopted

    In 1884, Miscouche hosted the historic second Convention nationale acadienne (National Acadian Convention), during the course of which delegates adopted all the national symbols Acadians use today: the flag (the French tricolour with a yellow star in the blue stripe), the national anthem (Ave Maris Stella), the motto (“L’Union fait la force” or “Unity makes strength”) and the crest.

  53. March 09, 1885

    Historical Figures and Acadians  Politics and Society 

    Pascal Poirier appointed to the Senate

    A leading figure of the Acadian Renaissance, Pascal Poirier, of Shediac, NB, became the first Acadian appointed to the Senate.

  54. November 23, 1887

    Arts, Culture and Identity 

    Launch of the L’Évangéline

    Established by Valentin Landry in Digby, Nova Scotia, this Acadian newspaper was moved to Moncton, New Brunswick in 1905 and published until 1982.

  55. September 01, 1890

    Arts, Culture and Identity 

    College Sainte-Anne, NS is founded

    College Sainte Anne (today Université Sainte-Anne) was founded at Church Point, Nova Scotia by the Eudist Fathers and offered instruction in French.

  56. December 10, 1912

    Historical Figures and Acadians 

    Édouard-A. LeBlanc becomes the first Acadian Bishop

    After decades of petitions from Acadians, the Vatican appointed the first bishop of Acadian origin to the Episcopal seat of Saint John, New Brunswick.

  57. September 03, 1920

    Historical Figures and Acadians  Politics and Society 

    Birth of Gilbert Finn

    Born in Inkerman Ferry, NB, Gilbert Finn is an Acadian businessman. After working 37 years at the Assumption Mutual Life Assurance Co, he served on the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council and the Economic Council of Canada, was president of the Université de Moncton and was active in Acadian and New Brunswick community groups. His service to his people and province was rewarded with membership in the Order of Canada. Upon his retirement in 1987 he was appointed lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick, the second person of Acadian descent to be so honoured. He served in this capacity until 1994.

  58. February 28, 1923

    Historical Figures and Acadians  Politics and Society 

    Peter John Veniot becomes NB premier

    Born in Richibucto, NB, Peter John Veniot, "Pierre," was the first Acadian NB premier and served from 1923 to 1925. He succeeded W.E. Foster as premier in 1923 and supported public ownership of the provincial hydro system and the Maritime Rights Movement. He was recognized as the leader of Acadian Liberalism. Following the defeat of his party in 1925, he ran successfully as MP for Gloucester and was appointed postmaster general by Prime Minister W.L. Mackenzie King. He sat as an MP until his death in 1936.

  59. May 10, 1929

    Antonine Maillet, writer

    Arts, Culture and Identity 

    Birth of Antonine Maillet

    Celebrated Acadian novelist Antonine Maillet was born at Bouctouche, NB.

  60. October 01, 1943

    Arts, Culture and Identity  Historical Figures and Acadians 

    Birth of Angèle Arsenault

    Angèle Arsenault was a pioneering Acadian singer-songwriter. She was renowned for her catchy, upbeat melodies, playful social commentary and distinctive humour. She was perhaps best known for the songs “Évangéline, Acadian Queen,” “Je veux toute la vivre ma vie,” and the Acadian anthem “Grand-Pré.” An Officer of the Order of Canada and a Member of the Order of Prince Edward Island, she received the Ordre de la Pléiade from the Association of French-Speaking Parliamentarians for her role in promoting French language and culture.

  61. February 03, 1951

    Arts, Culture and Identity  Historical Figures and Acadians 

    Birth of Jacques Savoie

    Jacques Savoie, Acadian musician, author, screenwriter (born 3 February 1951 in Edmundston, NB). Savoie has left his mark on French-Canadian literature, television and film. A founding member of the Acadian musical group Beausoleil Broussard, he is also the author of close to 20 novels, including Raconte-moi Massabielle and Les Portes tournantes, both of which have garnered many international awards and been made into films.

  62. June 23, 1953

    Portrait of Michele

    Arts, Culture and Identity  Historical Figures and Acadians 

    Birth of Raymonde April

    Photographer Raymonde April, whose practice has influenced the development of photography in Québec and Canada, was born at Moncton, NB.

  63. July 12, 1960

    Historical Figures and Acadians  Politics and Society 

    Louis J. Robichaud becomes premier of NB

    Elected leader of the NB Liberal Party in 1958, Louis Joseph Robichaud led it to victory over Hugh J. Flemming in 1960, served as attorney general between 1960 and 1965, and as minister of youth in 1968. The first Acadian elected premier of NB, he introduced far-reaching social reforms through the centralizing Programme of Equal Opportunity. His government passed an Official Languages Act, established Université de Moncton, increased Acadian administrative influence, and encouraged the mining and forestry industries.

  64. March 26, 1963

    Voisine, Roch

    Arts, Culture and Identity  Historical Figures and Acadians 

    Birth of Roch Voisine

    Roch Voisine, popular award winning Quebec singer, was born at St Basile, NB.

  65. June 19, 1963

    Arts, Culture and Identity 

    Université de Moncton is founded

    Université de Moncton was founded by the New Brunswick legislature in accordance with the recommendations of a royal commission. Université de Moncton began with the amalgamation of three institutions which agreed to suspend their charters in order to become affiliated colleges: Saint-Joseph (founded 1864), Sacré-Coeur (1899) and Saint-Louis (1946). As amended in 1977, the university's charter authorized campuses in each of New Brunswick's three francophone regions: Moncton, Edmundston and Shippagan.

  66. January 01, 1969

    Kouchibouguac

    Politics and Society 

    ​Kouchibouguac National Park Established

    Kouchibouguac National Park was established. Situated on the eastern New Brunswick shore of Northumberland Strait, the park is a delicate blend of beaches, sand dunes and salt marshes. A 25 km long barrier-island system shelters lagoons from the often violent sea. Several rivers flowing across the park inspired its Mi'kmaq name "river of the long tides."

  67. May 23, 1974

    Arts, Culture and Identity  Politics and Society 

    New Brunswick's Bilingual Acts

    New Brunswick became the first province to draft statutes in both official languages.

  68. August 15, 1977

    Arts, Culture and Identity 

    Acadian Historical Village Opens

    The Acadian Historical Village (Village historique acadien) is an ambitious living history site located on the Rivière-du-Nord near Caraquet, NB, in the heart of the Acadian Peninsula. It presents the rich tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the large Acadian population who settled in this province.

  69. August 29, 1979

    Arts, Culture and Identity 

    Opening of the first Jeux de l’Acadie

    The first Acadian Games (Jeux de l’Acadie) were held in Moncton from 29 August to 1 September 1979.

  70. November 20, 1979

    Antonine Maillet, writer

    Arts, Culture and Identity 

    Antonine Maillet wins Prix Goncourt

    For her novel Pélagie-la-Charrette, Acadian writer Antonine Maillet became the first non-French citizen to win France's most prestigious literary prize, the Prix Goncourt.

  71. August 12, 1994

    Arts, Culture and Identity  Politics and Society 

    First Congrès mondial acadien

    The first Congrès mondial acadien (World Acadian Congress) was held in Moncton and various communities of southeastern New Brunswick from 12 August to 22 August 1994.

  72. March 21, 1995

    Historical Figures and Acadians  Politics and Society 

    Rose-Marie Losier-Cool appointed to the Senate

    Born in Tracadie-Sheila, NB, Rose-Marie Losier-Cool became the first Acadian woman appointed to the Senate.

  73. October 01, 1997

    Historical Figures and Acadians  Politics and Society 

    Bastarache Named New Supreme Court Justice

    PM Jean Chrétien named Justice Michel Bastarache to fill the vacancy left on the Supreme Court by Gerard LaForest. He became the first Acadian appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada.

  74. May 02, 1998

    Politics and Society 

    Thériault Becomes Premier

    Camille Henri Thériault was sworn in as premier of New Brunswick.

  75. June 07, 1999

    Bernard Lord

    Politics and Society 

    Conservatives Win in NB

    The New Brunswick Progressive Conservative Party won a surprising landslide victory in the provincial election. Thirty-three-year-old Bernard Lord became premier.

  76. August 06, 2002

    Arts, Culture and Identity  Politics and Society 

    Moncton becomes a bilingual city

    Moncton, NB, became the first officially bilingual Canadian city.

  77. August 29, 2003

    Arts, Culture and Identity  Historical Figures and Acadians  Politics and Society 

    Herménégilde Chiasson is installed as New Brunswick's lieutenant-governor

    Herménégilde Chiasson was born 7 April 1946 in Saint-Simon, NB. He is an artist, poet, playwright, film director and lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick. An Officer of the Order of Canada, winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award, and New Brunswick's 29th lieutenant-governor, Chiasson is considered the father of Acadian modernism and is one of Canada's foremost advocates of Acadian culture and the arts. He is also notable for his insistence upon Acadian culture being a living culture rather than a persecuted and exiled one.

  78. December 06, 2003

    Acadian Deportation

    Arts, Culture and Identity  Politics and Society 

    Crown acknowledges deportation of the Acadian people

    In a royal proclamation, Governor General Adrienne Clarkson recognized the responsibility of the British Crown in the decision to deport the Acadian people in 1755 and its tragic consequences. Since 2005, 28 July has been designated Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval.

  79. July 28, 2005

    Arts, Culture and Identity  Politics and Society 

    Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval

    To mark the 250th anniversary of the deportation of the Acadian people in 1755, 28 July officially became Canada's Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval, as set by the Royal Proclamation of 6 December 2003.

  80. May 08, 2009

    Arts, Culture and Identity  Historical Figures and Acadians 

    Edith Butler receives the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement

    Born in 1942 in Paquetville, NB, Édith Butler has popularized a number of traditional Acadian songs.

  81. June 24, 2009

    Rosemary Brown receiving the Order of Canada

    Historical Figures and Acadians  Politics and Society 

    Death of Roméo A. LeBlanc

    A fluently bilingual Acadian, LeBlanc was selected by PM Jean Chrétien in 1994 to succeed Ray Hnatyshyn as Governor General of Canada. Roméo LeBlanc was the first Maritimer and first Canadian of Acadian descent to hold the vice-regal office.

  82. November 13, 2012

    Arts, Culture and Identity  Historical Figures and Acadians 

    France Daigle wins the Governor General’s Literary Award

    France Daigle, an Acadian author born 18 November 1953 in Dieppe, a suburb of Moncton, New Brunswick, is the leading representative of postmodern Acadian literature. Her work has sparked a great deal of interest in Québec, English Canada, and other parts of the Francophonie. She won the Governor General’s Literary Award for her masterpiece entitled Pour sûr (2011).

  83. February 24, 2014

    Arts, Culture and Identity  Historical Figures and Acadians 

    Death of Angèle Arsenault

    Angèle Arsenault was a pioneering Acadian singer-songwriter. She was renowned for her catchy, upbeat melodies, playful social commentary and distinctive humour. She was perhaps best known for the songs “Évangéline, Acadian Queen,” “Je veux toute la vivre ma vie,” and the Acadian anthem “Grand-Pré.” An Officer of the Order of Canada and a Member of the Order of Prince Edward Island, she received the Ordre de la Pléiade from the Association of French-Speaking Parliamentarians for her role in promoting French language and culture.

  84. September 23, 2014

    Historical Figures and Acadians  Politics and Society 

    Brian Gallant elected premier of New Brunswick

    Brian Alexander Gallant was born 27 April 1982 in the Acadian community of Shediac Bridge, New Brunswick. He was a lawyer and leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party. At 32 years of age, he became the country’s youngest premier. Gallant is the son of Pierre Gallant, who is of Acadian heritage, and Marilyn Scholten, the daughter of Dutch immigrants.

  85. January 07, 2015

    Historical Figures and Acadians  Politics and Society 

    Death of Gilbert Finn

    Born 3 September 1920 in Inkerman Ferry, NB, Gilbert Finn is an Acadian businessman. After working 37 years at the Assumption Mutual Life Assurance Co, he served on the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council and the Economic Council of Canada, was president of the Université de Moncton and was active in Acadian and New Brunswick community groups. His service to his people and province was rewarded with membership in the Order of Canada. Upon his retirement in 1987 he was appointed lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick, the second person of Acadian descent to be so honoured. He served in this capacity until 1994.

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