“From Migrant to Acadian: A North American Border People, 1604–1755” by Naomi Griffiths

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Naomi Griffiths conducted immense research in the field of Acadian history, and as a result, she documented various publications. “From Migrant to Acadian” is her most recent book documenting her 45-year research, which began when she immigrated to Canada in1956. This started when she met students from the University of London who regarded themselves as Canadian, but was of Acadian descent.

It was from them that she learned a bit about the history of Acadians, which then inspired her research (Griffith 15). The book is a continuation of other books previously published and part of its content answers questions raised in other books. Naomi describes the growth of the self-identity of the Acadians from the early times of the arrival of the traders to the period that they experience deportation.

The author expresses that a key part of this self-identity was the Acadian desire not only to be consulted when the decision was made but also have a critical part and contribution in the decision making the process. They wanted to be involved in the making of decisions that affected them.

Ironically, deportation occurs as a result of the factors that caused the unity and confidence, i.e., the forces that had the relation between the Acadians and the neighboring nations: New England, New France, France, and Britain. Even with the border issues, the Acadians continue to set themselves apart as they developed new cultural, economic, and political norms and traditions which only fostered their desire for self-identity.

The book is also related to present issues of local identity and resistance to the phenomenon of globalization that the Acadians expressed. Griffith does not emphasize on the possible effect of the interaction that the Acadians may have had with the British on the former’s traditions. She suggests that the Acadian people may have developed their traditions without the interferences of outside sources excluding some of New England’s colonies (Griffith 128).

She explores the developments of the Acadians with the role of the Mikmaq, Malecite, and the Abenaki and their role as the region’s border custodians. She also likens the preservation of identity in various areas such as Wales, Channel Islands and Scotland with Acadia where a central British rule did not impede on local traditions (Griffith 256).

The similarity is particularly close between Acadia and Ireland where there was the preservation of religion (Griffith 258). Weaknesses in the British colonial rule encouraged independent thoughts in the state of Massachusetts. Griffith talks about the importance of the role played by the Acadians’ economic activities. She cites that the trade was particularly important especially with the Mikmaq (Griffith 85).

This was a factor that was important to their independence. As New England also desired to assert its own independent identity from the rest of Europe; the Acadians struck a friendship with them basing this as a commonality. Indeed, the trade between them became part of the Acadian identity. The trade was deemed illegal, and the Acadians claimed it to be their right (Griffith 61).

New England played a significant role in the assertion of the Acadians’ independence besides the aforementioned contribution on trade. New England grew impatient of Britain’s laxity in guiding the formers traders and leaders. Consequently, they turned to the Acadia in an attempt for negotiations; this further heightened the Acadian’s need for independence.

They played a significant role in the deportation of the Acadia as they sought to end the Acadians’ demand for independence. New France played a much lesser role in buoying the Acadians’ demand for independence. Theirs was somewhat indirect as it involved tensions that they held with New England and the latter’s fear of New France and the first nations.

Due to this, they resolved to take a much deeper interest in Acadia. Furthermore, there was a considerable distance between New France and Acadia. However, we find that Griffith points out that the Acadians were primarily Catholics which were a French influence. Nevertheless, this is not proof enough for their contribution to the Acadians’ desire for independence.

As the fur trade died, and the attention went to fishing and agriculture, the ties that Acadia had with the Europeans had died with it. The Acadians thus asserted more and more of the need for their independent recognition. Griffith does not talk about fishing but cites the unifying dike farming that demanded the cooperation of the communities that were practicing farming (Griffith 283).

The British and French portrayal of power also increased their desire for independence. The main point that is put forward by Griffith is the Acadian desire for recognition as an independent entity that had a right to own land and is involved in the decision making of matters that affected them.

Lacking in the book is the aspect of ethnicity among the Acadians, which was cemented by a myth of origin and tradition. However, the book provides credible insight as to the plight of the Acadians. Griffith concludes by saying that the deportation and the subsequent return of Acadians still have a role to play in their identity.

Works Cited

Griffiths, Naomi. From Migrant to Acadian: A North American Border People, 1604–1755. Montreal: Que: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2004. Print.

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“From Migrant to Acadian: A North American Border People, 1604–1755” by Naomi Griffiths

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