Canadian history · Drawing 08 of 43
The Acadian deportation
Beginning in 1755
In 1755, British authorities forced Acadian families in Grand-Pré to leave their homes. They were taken away by ship. This was part of the Great Upheaval. Acadian culture is still alive today.
Look together
What do you see on the water behind the family?
An idea to try
Find Grand-Pré on a map of Nova Scotia. Then find August 15, National Acadian Day, on a calendar. Talk about a tradition a family or community passes down through generations.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
Acadian families farmed the land around Grand-Pré on the Minas Basin, building dykes to drain salt marshes. In 1755, as tensions rose with France, British authorities demanded an unconditional oath of allegiance and began the deportation. About 2,200 people were deported from the Les Mines area that year. The Great Upheaval lasted for several years, scattering families and separating some of their members.
British authorities allowed Acadians to return to Nova Scotia in 1764. Other families were living on their former lands at Grand-Pré, and returning Acadians settled elsewhere. Acadian communities still pass down their language, stories and traditions. National Acadian Day is August 15.
Sources and illustration notes (3)
An imagined Acadian family and home. The drawing evokes a forced departure near the fields and marshes of Grand-Pré in 1755.
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. References identify the institution and the related lesson; some linked pages are in French.
- Parks Canada — History of Grand-PréLife in Grand-Pré, the decision to deport, about 2,200 deportees from Les Mines and permission to return in 1764.
- Parks Canada — Deportation CrossHorton Landing as the embarkation site in 1755.
- Canadian Heritage — National Acadian DayAugust 15 and the vitality of Acadian culture today.
Page prepared on November 7, 2026. Illustrations simplify places and scenes; they are not historical documents.
This drawing is from the book Canada’s Great Moments to Colour
Tax calculated at checkout. Terms of sale