French Canadians (America Done Right)

French Canadians (French: Canadiens français) are an ethnic group who trace their ancestry to French colonists who settled in Canada beginning in the 17th century. The French Canadian ethnicity (including those who are no longer French-speaking) constitutes the second largest ethnic group in Canada, behind those of English ancestry.

French Canadians make up the majority of the native speakers of French in Canada, which account for 22 percent of the country's total population, as well as the majority of Quebec's population, where they are referred to as Quebecers or Québécois. French Canadian minorities exist in certain parts of Canada and the United States.

Some French-speaking ethnic groups such as the Acadians, the Brayons and the Métis may be included among the French Canadian group in linguistic contexts, but they are considered separate ethnic and cultural groups from French Canadians due to their distinct histories.

During the 17th century, French settlers originating from the north of France (Normandy, Brittany, Ile-de-France and the Loire) settled Canada, creating the French Canadian ethnicity. Then, during the 17th to 18th centuries, French Canadians expanded across North America and colonized various regions, cities, and towns. As a result, today, people of French Canadian descent can be found across North America.

Between 1840 and 1930, many French Canadians immigrated to New England, an event known as the Grande Hémorragie.

Origins
The French Canadians are descendants of 17th-century French colonists from the present-day regions of Normandy, Brittany, Ile-de-France, Centre-Val de Loire, Pays de la Loire, and Nouvelle Aquitaine.

Population
As of 2016, 4,680,820 Canadians are Francophone and 2,100,842 Americans are French Canadians. The French Canadians in Canada form the majority in Quebec, as well as a sizeable minority in New Brunswick, and smaller minorities in Ontario, the Maritimes and Manitoba.

In the United States, they form minorities in New England, northern New York, Michigan (primarily in suburban Detroit) and Louisiana.

Notable people

 * René Lévesque, 23rd Premier of Quebec (1922-1987)
 * Alex Trebek, game show host (1940-2020)
 * Renald Lévesque, YouTuber (b. 1993)
 * Alex Legault, YouTuber (b. 1996)

Legacy
A handful of American cities were founded by or named after French Canadians. The city of Dubuque, Illinois was named after Julien Dubuque, who was a French Canadian. Canadian explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac is credited with naming the city of Detroit, Michigan.