A new McNeese student organization, the Cajun French and Heritage club, is working to promote and continue Cajun culture.  

Abbie Olivier, one of the club’s founders, said the club aims to teach about the Cajun language and history of the Acadiens (the ancestors of Louisiana Cajuns), cultural practices, and the Cajun French language through activities like discussions, games and events related to the language. 

“The club is important to students because being a college with many students from Louisiana, many people at McNeese are Cajun and don’t know much about their culture aside from crawfish, gumbo, Catholicism and Mardi Gras,” Olivier said. “We hope to start a sort of movement that will encourage people to embrace their culture and learn about their family histories as Cajuns, therefore promoting the heritage.” 

Cajun people are descendants of Acadian refugees from l’Acadie (modern-day Nova Scotia, Canada). According to the Pelican State of Mind on the History of Cajuns in Louisiana, Le Grand Derangement, or the expulsion of Acadians from the province of Nova Scotia, Canada, started in 1755 after centuries of conflict between French and English Forces. Between 1765 and 1785, about 3,000 exiles settled in South Louisiana, motivated by the Spanish government to populate the territory. 

The word ‘Cajun’ originates from the French pronunciation of “le Acadian,” shortened to “Cadians.” When the Acadians arrived in Louisiana, the word was changed to Cajun by English speakers.

According to the Louisiana Department of Education, the state banned French from state agencies and schools in the 1920s.  

Olivier said her ancestors were among those mistreated because they spoke Cajun French. 

“In the 60s, individuals were beaten up in schools because they only spoke Cajun and could not speak English,” Olivier said. “My Granddad Evans Wedlock was beaten up in sixth grade because he could only speak Cajun and was forced to work in the farms.” 

Current state estimates say only about 150,000 French speakers remain, but the state has created systems to revive and preserve the unique languages and cultures, including that of the Cajuns. Olivier said the Cajun French and Heritage Club founders hope that continues.