Estuaries of Eastern Canada

Cultural and Historic Importance

The Location

Northumberland Strait

Sackville,NB

History of the Maritimes:Four Major Distinctions

Earliest Settlers The French The British Post-Confederation

(Return of the French)

Earliest Settlers:Mi’kmaq and Maliseet

More than 7000 years Ago these Native Americans had settlements here.

Summered along the coast (Estuaries) wintered inland.Why?

Geological

Location allowed for access to N. Umberland Strait

Riverine access to inland areas

Resources

Waterfowl

Fishery resources (fish,shellfish, lobsters, wampum etc)

The Acadians:Canada’s First Immigrants (?)

Area (Acadia) was discovered by the French while looking for a passage to Asia

Port Royal (est. 1607) Economy was based around trade with natives, fishing and

farming. Farming brought about the construction of dikes used to

regain land from the sea Conflicts with French territories (north) and British territories

(South) 1755-1763 “The Great Expulsion” Acadians were expelled to

other British Colonies. Many settled in Louisiana (Cajuns)

British Colonialism:

After the Great Expulsion (really after American revolution)

Yorkshire, England > Eastern Canada following the Acadian Expulsion

Used diked lands to produce Hay, rye, oats, hemp, Indian corn, tobacco, and barley

Shipbuilding, logging, and farming were economic drivers in southeastern Canada

Post-Confederation: Economy on the Estuary

Since early 19th Century economy around the estuaries has been mostly based on:– Fishing (finfish, shellfish, crustaceans)– Logging– Agriculture

More recently (including much of the above) :– Pulp/Papermills– Textiles– Oil/Nat. Gas Exploration