Download - Estuaries of Eastern Canada
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