Acadians who died during 18th century deportations remembered at Rocky Point ceremony

Acadians who died during deportations to France in the mid-18th century are remembered annually in P.E.I.

A ceremony commemorating the deceased Acadians occurred at the Skmaqn–Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst National Historic site in Rocky Point as part of Acadian Remembrance Day on Saturday.

The day commemorates Acadians who died during the deportations of Acadians to France, which occurred from 1755 to 1762.

A ship carrying Acadians being deported to France sank on Dec. 13, 1758. Although there were several deportations from 1755 to 1862, over 300 people died tragically on that day.

Georges Arsenault, an organizer and emcee for the ceremony, described the deportations as a major historical event, one that Islanders should not forget.

He says there were about 3,000 Acadians from the Island who were deported, about half of whom died before reaching France. However, some families managed to escape deportation.

"It really destroyed, to an extent, the Acadian community," Arsenault said. "It was [some] very trying years and half of the people died, especially those from the Island here, but many managed to escape."

Arsenault adds that many of those who escaped eventually ended up in Louisiana, and ultimately became the Cajuns.

Despite the deportations, Acadian culture still thrives on P.E.I., something Arsenault says he’s always been proud to be a part of.

"I was raised in Abrams Village … it was 95 per cent Acadian and francophone," he said. "At school, we were taught, you know, that it was important to keep our language, to be proud of who we were."

Charles Duguay, president of La Société acadienne et francophone de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard says it’s heartwarming to see kids who are able to speak and sing songs in French.

"At one point it was just like older people, now it’s coming back like the new generation," he said.

"The fact that at least they know where they're coming from and then where they are now for them, I'm sure it means a lot."