THE ACADIANS

The first group of European settlers to Nova Scotia, arrived in 1604, and were mostly from France. They called the land Acadia, and themselves, Acadians. From 1604 to 1755, the rule of Nova Scotia changed between France and England 7 times. The Acadians were peaceful, self sufficient people, who tried to remain neutral during the power struggle between the two countries. In 1755, England was in control, and it was decided that because the Acadians would not sign a pledge of allegiance to the King, they would have to be forcefully deported. Thousands of these early Canadian settlers were placed on boats like cattle, and shipped to several of the early American Colonies. All of this history is on display at the Grand Pre National Historic Site near where our campground is located. We watched a video re-enactment of the "Deportation", and learned much more about this sad history of a people who just wanted to be left alone. Eventually, some of the exiled Acadians returned to Nova Scotia, and the Acadian flag is seen everywhere. We drove around the area, and found ourselves on a high ridge that overlooked much of the area where the original Acadians settled, and began reclaiming some of the tidal flats for farming. The photo shows much of this reclaimed land that is actually below sea level. The church is on the grounds of the Grand Pre site, and the picture doesn't do justice to the full wall of stained glass. Today, we're off in the jeep to Halifax, for a day of exploring the capitol of Nova Scotia.