- Definition
Acadians are descendants of early French settlers who lived in what is now Canada's Maritime provinces. Many of them were later forced to leave their homes, with some eventually settling in Louisiana, where they became known as Cajuns.
The French-speaking communities in parts of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are largely descendants of the early Acadian settlers.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Think of the Acadians like a large family that settled in a new neighbourhood, but was later forced to move away and start new homes in different places, carrying their family traditions with them.
Ask your child: If your family had to move, what traditions would you bring with you?
Common mix-up: Kids might think Acadians are the same as people from Quebec or France. The Acadians have their own unique history, culture, and language connected to their original settlement in Canada's Maritime provinces.
Examples
- The Cajun people of Louisiana are descendants of Acadians who were forced from their homes in the Maritimes.
- The Acadian flag and the Tintamarre parade are symbols of their distinct cultural identity.
Acadians is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
