Prince Edward Island

Island Facts

Daily Newspapers - The Guardian, Journal Pioneer

Prince Edward Island History

Long before the Fathers of Confederation met in Charlottetown in 1867 to discuss and finalize the formulation of our great nation, Prince Edward Island was home to tribes of "settlers" who arrived on the Island in search of food and shelter. Moving with the seasons and regional availability of resources, these early people (or Paleo-Indians) first reached the Island roughly around 8,600 BC. Biologically these people were much like present-day man, and in order to survive their rugged living conditions they fished along the Island coasts and rivers while moving farther inland in search of game to hunt and berries to gather and store. Evidence of such primitive civilization, as well as other more recent Mi'kmaq settlements, can be found throughout the Island at numerous archaeological sites, including the Wakelin site near Basin Head and the MacDonald site in East Point. As well, at the Jones site near St. Peter's Harbour artifacts dating back 9,000 years were discovered during the 1980's. Such evidence of early life on the Island offers critical insight into the origins of civilization here on P.E.I. and serves as an invaluable history lesson for all.

Prince Edward Island has been home to the Mi'kmaq for centuries. Like the Paleo Indians, the Mi'kmaq were migratory, moving seasonally and following their sources of food throughout the Island. Their winters were spent inland, sheltered from the harsh conditions by the dense P.E.I. forests, while summer months were spent close to the shore hunting and fishing for food. Part of the Algonkian (not Algonquin) language group, their patriarchal society was ruled by the "fathers" (men) and they used hieroglyphics, or picture symbols, as an early form of "written" communication. Sadly, European explorers who arrived on P.E.I. sporadically between 1500 and 1720 brought disease which the Mi'kmaq and other neighboring Native tribes were defenseless against. Entire populations of Natives were wiped out, clearing the way for permanent European settlement. Despite such adversity Natives still remain on the Island, and the wonders of their society are preserved today through various cultural celebrations such as pow wows, sweet grass ceremonies and sweat lodges. As well, the various Native art and craft shops found throughout the Island's various Mi'kmaq settlements serve as a testament to the beauty of their timeless culture.

European civilization began to spread itself throughout Prince Edward Island following Jacques Cartiers first visit to the Island in 1534. Cartier may or may not have deemed P.E.I's shores as "the fairest land tis' possible to see". Regardless of its validity, this quote lends itself to the "beauty myth" so often attributed to P.E.I. and its people. After Cartiers initial voyage the French were the first to claim the Island as their own. Their brief regime lasted from 1720 until 1758 when British forces gained control of what was then known as Ile St. Jean. During this period of Colonial rule thousands of people made their way to the Island from their homelands in Scotland, Ireland and England. One of the Island's first land proprietors to actually move and settle on the Island was Captain John MacDonald, who in 1772 brought 210 Highland Scots, mostly from the Hebridean Isle of Uist, to the Tracadie area. The move was religiously inspired as Hebridean Catholics were under pressure from the Presbyterian Church to convert. Many of MacDonald's followers were relatives, and most of the MacDonald's who live on P.E.I. today can trace their roots back to this original settlement.

Remaining under Colonial British rule even after Confederation in 1867, P.E.I. did not officially become a province of Canada until 1873. Province House, called the Colonial House when it was opened in 1847, was the site of the meetings which lead to the Confederation of Canada and is now a National Historic Site and current seat of the P.E.I. government. A popular destination for those interested in Canada's history, Province House and the majestic St. Dunstan's Basilica combine to make up the secular centre of Charlottetown. Other important historic sites include Fort Amherst/Port-La-Joie National Historic Site, Ardgowan National Historic Site and the Prince Edward Island National Park, which includes the world-famous house of Green Gables. As well, museums such as the Basin Head Fisheries Museum, the Beaconsfield Historic House and the Green Park Shipbuilding Museum and Yeo House also aid in preserving our Island's rich and storied history. By visiting such sites people are able to get a better grasp on the "Island way of life" which remains an invaluable aspect of our collective identity.