Parks Canada Honours National Historic Significance of Joseph Broussard dit Beausoleil – Leader and Symbol of Acadian Defiance to British Rule
November 14, 2024
Amherst, Nova Scotia – Parks Canada is pleased to announce the designation of the Joseph Broussard dit Beausoleil National Historic Site. This designation recognizes the national historic significance of Joseph Broussard dit Beausoleil, a key figure in Acadian history and a symbol of Acadian resistance to British rule.
Beausoleil was born in Port-Royal, Acadia (now Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia) in 1699. He was a skilled hunter, trapper, and fisherman who became a leader in the Acadian community. When the British took control of Acadia in 1713, Beausoleil refused to swear allegiance to the British Crown. He believed that the Acadians had a right to remain neutral in the conflict between Britain and France.
In 1749, the British authorities issued an ultimatum to the Acadians: swear allegiance to the Crown or face deportation. Beausoleil refused to surrender and led a group of Acadians into the forests of what is now Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Beausoleil and his followers waged a guerrilla war against the British for several years. They attacked British settlements and supply lines, and they refused to be captured. Beausoleil became a symbol of Acadian resistance and defiance.
In 1755, the British authorities decided to deport the Acadians from their homeland. Beausoleil and his followers were among the thousands of Acadians who were forcibly removed from their homes and scattered throughout the British colonies and Europe.
Beausoleil spent the rest of his life in exile, but he never gave up hope of returning to Acadia. He died in France in 1765, but his legacy continues to inspire Acadians today.
The Joseph Broussard dit Beausoleil National Historic Site is located in Amherst, Nova Scotia, where Beausoleil and his followers built a fort and fought against the British. The site includes a replica of the fort, as well as interpretive panels that tell the story of Beausoleil and the Acadian resistance.
“Joseph Broussard dit Beausoleil was a courageous leader who fought for the rights of the Acadians,” said the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada. “His story is an important reminder of the struggles and sacrifices that the Acadians faced during the period of British rule.”
The designation of the Joseph Broussard dit Beausoleil National Historic Site is a testament to the importance of Acadian history and culture in Canada. It is a place where Canadians can learn about the Acadian resistance to British rule and the role that Beausoleil played in that struggle.
For more information, please contact:
Parks Canada Public Relations (902) 426-2885 media@pc.gc.ca
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