Our People
Prince Edward Island is well known for its coastal and pastoral beauty. We are “The Gentle Island” and we are the home of Anne of Green Gables. Truth is we are all that – and more.
We are First Nations Mi’kmaq, Acadian and Celtic. We are changing. The mosaic of cultures on Prince Edward Island is expanding to include African, Asian and South American flavours and traditions. Our farmers’ markets are wonderful sources of local and traditional Island produce; now they are enriched with the scents of new spices. Island chefs are creating exciting fusions of local products with exotic ingredients and cooking techniques to come up with delicious new cuisines.
Prince Edward Island’s permanent population is just about 150,000 people. We have two cities, a few towns and a rural landscape sprinkled with coastal villages. We hope you take the time to come visit us where we live – discover our coastal communities, each defined by the sea and soil. Listen to the stories of our Mi’kmaq, Acadian and Celtic heritages and participate in our celebrations: ceilidhs, festivals and pow wows alike.
This is our hope for you. Come. Discover. Enjoy. Take time.
Français
Lively Acadian Culture
Come and experience the lively Acadian culture of the North Cape Coastal Drive through the food and music of the Acadians. Fiddle music, stories, fricot and râpure are sure to be on the menu during any visit to the Village musical acadien . Traditional dishes like chicken fricot (chicken stew) and the festive râpure (grated potato, pork and summer savory casserole) could always be found on the menu when receiving guests.
The Acadians, who came to North America from 1604 onward, are the descendants of French settlers. They were the first of the European groups to settle on the island then called Isle-Saint-Jean, under French rule. Most of the settlers originated from the western part of central France. Certain family names are very common to this day; during your visits, you are sure to encounter a DesRoches or an Arsenault.
Evangeline Region
As you travel around North Cape Coastal Drive, you may notice references to “La Région Évangéline” -The Evangeline Region. The Acadians of Prince Edward Island, and all the Canadian Maritimes, are a tenacious people who persevered through many severe setbacks – particularly the Great Deportation that began in August 1755. Nearly 2,000 Acadians deported from Isle-Saint-Jean (Prince Edward Island) perished in the North Atlantic.
Many artistic works have been inspired by this tragic time, and one of the first was the epic poem Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie, written by the famous American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1847. You can learn more about Evangeline and her star-crossed lover, Gabriel, at the Acadian Museum of PEI in Miscouche.
Evangeline Region
As you travel around North Cape Coastal Drive, you may notice references to “La Région Évangéline” -The Evangeline Region. The Acadians of Prince Edward Island, and all the Canadian Maritimes, are a tenacious people who persevered through many severe setbacks – particularly the Great Deportation that began in August 1755. Nearly 2,000 Acadians deported from Isle-Saint-Jean (Prince Edward Island) perished in the North Atlantic.
Many artistic works have been inspired by this tragic time, and one of the first was the epic poem Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie, written by the famous American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1847. You can learn more about Evangeline and her star-crossed lover, Gabriel, at the Acadian Museum of PEI in Miscouche.
Celtic Culture
The North Cape Coastal Region’s Celtic heritage is very evident in the names you’ll drive past on our mailboxes. You’ll hear the Celtic lilt in the reels and jigs played at our ceilidhs. The College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada in Summerside continues the traditions of pipe and fiddle music. You can catch a show in the newly renovated performance stage afternoons and evenings during the entire summer season.
Lennox Island Mi’kmaq First Nation
Lennox Island is a must-visit community of the North Cape Coastal Region of Prince Edward Island. Lennox Island Mi’Kmaq First Nation is a community with a thriving culture and proud past. Archaeological evidence and oral traditions indicate the presence of First Nation ancestors on the shores of Malpeque Bay as far back as 10,000 years ago.
Come visit the Eco Tourism Centre and share the unique Mi’kmaq experience. Stop in and learn more about Mi’kmaq history at the Cultural Centre and try some traditional Mi’kmaq food. Weave your own basket or learn how to do quill work with porcupine spines. Visit with the elders and listen as they share the stories and legends of the proud culture.
Take a walk through winding littoral woods on the “Path of Our Forefathers” trails. The trail passes the former homesteads of significant historical figures, including Joe Tuplin and Danny and Matilda Lewis –former elders in the community – and Lem and Madeline Labobe, who were known for their traditional medicines. There is evidence that if it hadn’t been for the knowledge and help of the First Nations people of PEI, the new settlers from Europe would have had a much harder time surviving their first few difficult years. There is a story of the healer Madeline Labobe, who used the antiseptic and other medicinal properties of local flora to save a European man with a badly infected leg.
Lennox Island’s rich history ensures these trails are full of highlights reflecting its most significant moments, culture, people and ecology.
Lennox Island Mi’kmaq First Nation
Lennox Island is a must-visit community of the North Cape Coastal Region of Prince Edward Island. Lennox Island Mi’Kmaq First Nation is a community with a thriving culture and proud past. Archaeological evidence and oral traditions indicate the presence of First Nation ancestors on the shores of Malpeque Bay as far back as 10,000 years ago.
Come visit the Eco Tourism Centre and share the unique Mi’kmaq experience. Stop in and learn more about Mi’kmaq history at the Cultural Centre and try some traditional Mi’kmaq food. Weave your own basket or learn how to do quill work with porcupine spines. Visit with the elders and listen as they share the stories and legends of the proud culture.
Take a walk through winding littoral woods on the “Path of Our Forefathers” trails. The trail passes the former homesteads of significant historical figures, including Joe Tuplin and Danny and Matilda Lewis –former elders in the community – and Lem and Madeline Labobe, who were known for their traditional medicines. There is evidence that if it hadn’t been for the knowledge and help of the First Nations people of PEI, the new settlers from Europe would have had a much harder time surviving their first few difficult years. There is a story of the healer Madeline Labobe, who used the antiseptic and other medicinal properties of local flora to save a European man with a badly infected leg.
Lennox Island’s rich history ensures these trails are full of highlights reflecting its most significant moments, culture, people and ecology.
Coastal Sotires
Bonjour! Welcome! Pjla’si!
Islander’s lives are rich and rustic. In these coastal stories we’ve chosen just a small selection of the inspiring Islanders in our region to give you a taste of the characters – oh and we do mean characters – that you might meet when you come to visit.
Coastal Stories is a documentary series about the people, places and themes that make western Prince Edward Island unique. These stories transport you into the lives of some inspiring Islanders. You’ll meet weather-beaten fishermen, and a new generation of oyster fishers. You’ll get a peek into our diverse cultures. The proud Mi’kmaq heritage is celebrated here, and we invite you to join the celebration. Equally we enjoy the lively and musical traditions passed down through the Acadian and Celtic cultures of this Island.
Our stories run the gamut from light-house keepers, to far flung lovers. We have Acadian music-writing mamans, family farming entrepreneurs and innovative chefs. Delve into the stories of these folks, and the newcomers who have fallen in love with our Island, and who are adding such richness and diversity to our story.
We hope these stories inspire you to explore off the beaten path and to enjoy the people and scenery of this colorful and charming region of our gentle Island. The Coastal Stories series is about us. These are our friends and neighbours, the people and places that make Western Prince Edward Island so special. Come join us and make some of your own memorable stories here on the North Cape Coastal Drive.