The Acadian Flag
Our last few days in New Brunswick were spent in a beautiful part of the
province known as Acadia. This region, stretching the length of the
Northumberland Strait, is renown for its beautiful, warm beaches, its abundant
waterfowl, and its quiet, friendly towns. More than this, however, during our
short visit to the area, we came to know and love the people themselves. How
saddened we were to learn the history of the Acadians.
In the past, Acadia included most of what is now Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and
Prince Edward Island. The Acadians were French from origin, and while many of
their fellow French immigrants settled in "New France", modern day Quebec, this
group of people settled in the Maritimes. Here they worked hard against all odds
to turn the abundant salt marshes into rich farmlands, building thriving farms
for themselves and their children.
During the great war between France and England, the Acadians, desiring to
neither fight against their neighbors or against their brothers from France,
remained neutral. When the Treaty of Utrecht declared that they were now under
British rule, their neutrality remained. This didn't sit well with the British
government. Though there were never any signs of hostility, the British feared
Acadians would eventually turn against the authorities.
Tension rose further after the arrival of 7000 British colonists on Acadian
land, île Royale (now Cape Breton) and île St-Jean (now Prince Edward Island).
Fearing what the Acadians could potentially do, Governor Charles Lawrence
demanded that all of Acadia make an unconditional oath of allegiance to the
British Government. The Acadians were willing to confirm their loyalty to the
King of England, but they feared that signing an oath of allegiance might one
day force them to take up arms against France, the country of their origin, and
they refused.
This didn't sit well with Governor Lawrence. On July 28, 1755, the decision was
made to expel all Acadians from British North America and expropriate their
land. Deportations began immediately. Over the course of the next 15 years,
between 12,000 and 18,000 Acadians are estimated to have been uprooted from
their homes and sent throughout the world. Some were sent to Great Britain and
some to France, while others were sent to the American colonies, to South
America, and still others to the Caribbean. Families were routinely split up,
with family members being sent in all different directions. Meanwhile, in order
to ensure that the Acadians would never return to the Maritimes, the British
seized Acadian farms, goods and livestock. Their homesteads were burned down,
and the rich farmlands were taken over by British settlers.
The ships used for the deportation were so crowded that the exiles couldn't all
sleep at once. The food turned bad, and rations were reduced. Epidemics swept
through the people, and this, coupled with the harsh travel conditions, resulted
in the deaths of many. Once at their various destinations, things were not much
better. Acadian survivors were generally made to feel quite unwelcome. In some
British colonies, especially Georgia and Pennsylvania, they were treated like
and used as slaves. In other colonies like New York, what family members
remained together were dispersed throughout the colony. Even those who ended up
in France were not well received. Though the government gave them land in
Brittany and Poitou, local farmers considered them to be usurpers and treated
them harshly.
A few of the Acadians managed to escape deportation. Some fled into the woods
and tried to make their way to other French colonies. These didn't fare much
better than those deported, however. Suffering from disease and the fear of
British attacks, they lived in constant anxiety.
The deportation may have temporarily removed the Acadians from the Maritimes,
but it did not, as the British had hoped, make them lose their culture. The
Acadians loved life, and this, along with their peaceful outlook, even amidst
constant abuse, gave them a survivor's attitude. They never retaliated against
those who hated them so much, and this is probably one of the key reasons why
they prevailed and were eventually allowed to return to the Maritimes. They
didn't go back to their original homelands, however, but took up residence in
uninhabited areas. In New Brunswick, they began their lives anew on the land
along the Northumberland Strait, and now, some 300 years later, there are more
than 300,000 Acadians in New Brunswick alone. Despite all that they have been
through, the friendliness and peaceful attitude of the Acadians remain
remarkable, making Acadia, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful parts of New
Brunswick.
Reflecting on their past, Jesus words come vividly into my mind: "Blessed are
the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are
persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt
5:9-10 NIV)
Why are we as human beings always tempted to return evil for evil? We're so
quick to say, "YOU did this to me. I will never forget it! You deserve to be hit
hard for what you did to me!" Often grudges are carried from generation to
generation, and it is common that those holding the grudges may not even be
aware of the original reason for their animosity!
Why are we so unwilling to forgive? Is it possibly because we deem ourselves
more important than others? But let's think about it! Is this constant bickering
worthy of our time? Are we really so much better than others? Haven't we also
been guilty of offending others, even if it may have been be unintentional?
Jesus gives us great advice in Matt 7:3-5 "It's easy to see a smudge on your
neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the
nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted
by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again,
playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly
sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your
neighbor." (The Message)
Leaving in peace is God's way. Jesus showed how important it was for us to live
in peace. He reached across the chasm that sin had created and made sure we
could be united with God once again. He died so that we could experience
complete freedom, so that we could be reconciled with God. We were the ones who
created the chasm between God and ourselves, however God is the one who paved
the way for reconciliation. Peace is a worthwhile endeavor. Living in peace is
living according to God's will. "When we were God's enemies, we were reconciled
to him through the death of his Son." (Rom 5:10 NIV)
Is holding on to grudges worthwhile? Don't you make yourselves prisoners of your
own emotions when you do so? If you can't let go, come to Jesus, the resurrected
one, and learn from Him. He will set you free: "So if the Son sets you free, you
will be free indeed." (John 8:36 NIV) Only through Him will you ever be able to
forgive. "Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on
love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Col 3:13-14 NIV)
May we all learn from our Acadian friends and neighbors.
Rob Chaffart
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