Acadian nationalism

The Acadian nationalist movement took shape in the final decades of the 19th century. Inspired by the resulting realization of themselves as a special group within the larger francophone population, the Acadian leaders declared their intention to “live as a separate entity [and] to forge their own identity and heritage.” Nationalist strategies were determined principally at the national conventions, which provided a platform for debate on issues that ranged from education to agricultural colonization to the Acadianization of the church hierarchy. They played host to debates over the choice of symbols around which Acadians could unite: a national day, a flag, a hymn, an insignia, and a motto.