The Acadian Tragedy in Nova Scotia - Evangeline 

I confess I've always been a history buff. I've enjoyed exploring places in Europe, knowing I'm at the very site of some famous historical event. The so-called "New World" generally lacks the same level of historical appeal. But that is not true of Nova Scotia. This province has a recorded history far older than one would assume, and one particularly nasty part of history has been immortalised. 

Besides its natural beauty, welcoming people and wonders of nature, Nova Scotia's history deserves to be explored more in future blogs. But for now I’d like to focus on one particular incident in history, a poem that immortalised it, and a scenic trail running past our Inn that allows visitors to bathe in its aura. The incident is often referred to as the Great Upheaval or the Great Expulsion. I refer to the deportation of the French speaking Acadian population from Nova Scotia in 1755.

I recall being a young boy and being proud that my heritage was British. Britain had forged the greatest empire the world had ever seen. My generation, and those before mine, were raised on imagery of British Imperial bravery, sacrifice and glory, such as the painting below. We watched movies like Zulu Dawn and Khartoum where English soldiers were brave and resolute underdogs fighting the good fight against overwhelming savagery.

The Death of Major Peirson – John Singleton Copley

There was a time when conquering foreign countries was hailed as heroic and noble. Colonial powers were portrayed as bringing civilisation and God to savage, heathen people. Conquering them was providing them with the opportunity to taste a better life – and after-life. Individuals who spearheaded conquest were praised and often immortalised with monuments and poems in their names.

Today we live in a world of information. For those who wish to know, it’s possible to find the facts and truth in all things. Now we can look beyond the legends and the propaganda and recognise the damage those empire builders caused in their zeal for glory and riches.

Nova Scotia and Imperialism

Nova Scotia has its own imperial scars, none better known than the Great Upheaval of 1755. It is a story of colonial power struggles and cruelty, so let’s start with Nova Scotia’s colonial history.

It’s believed that Vikings were the first people from the European continent to discover and settle in the Eastern parts of Canada. There are accounts of Leif Ericson having founded “Vinland” in these parts, as far back as the year 1000. Exactly where is debated. It could have been Newfoundland, New Brunswick or Nova Scotia. But Leif Ericson spoke of grapes, so I’m inclined to think that rules out the more northern areas and makes our Nova Scotia a strong contender for being a Viking settlement.