Ancient Land, New Land

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ISBN: :9781773660707

Ancient Land, New Land

Skmaqn - Port-la-Joye - Fort Amherst: National Historic Site of Canada

  Author:   A.J.B. Johnston, Jesse Francis,  
  Publisher:  Acorn Press

The Mi’kmaq have inhabited Epekwitk (Prince Edward Island) for millennia. At this site, known in Mi’kmaq as Skmaqn, or “waiting place,” the Mi’kmaq met the French in the 18th century to renew their friendship and military alliance at a time when the French and British empires were fighting for supremacy in North America.

As Europeans settled on what had become to be known as Isle Saint Jean, the major European players were France and Great Britain, each of whom started constructing forts and sending soldiers, warships and settlers. A key strategy of the French was to establish a close alliance with the Mi’kmaq, one that was maintained by missionaries. Thus Skmaqn became the French fort Port-la-Joye. The French saw it as the most strategic location as its harbour was large, sheltered, and easy to defend because of the narrow entrance through which any enemy ships would have to pass.

One of the first permanent French settlements on the island, Port-la-Joye was the seat of colonial government and a port of entry. This site was surrendered to Great Britain in 1758 and renamed Fort Amherst, the British organized the deportation of more than 3,000 Acadians.

Details and Specs
ISBN:9781773660707
Item AC0191
PublisherAcorn Press
Published2021
Language eng
Pages
Format Paperback
Dimensions9(in) x 7(in)
Weight398(g)
Status ACTIVE TITLE

A.J.B. (John) Johnston is the author or co-author of thirteen books on different aspects of the history of Atlantic Canada and over 100 articles in scholarly journals, magazines and newspapers. The Canadian Historical Association awarded a Clio prize to his Endgame 1758: The Promise, the Glory and the Despair of Louisbourg’s Last Decade. John was made a chevalier of France’s Ordre des Palmes académiques in recognition of his many publications on the history of the French in Atlantic Canada. His first novel, Thomas, A Secret Life, was published in 2012. He lives in Halifax with his wife Mary. For more information, please go to www.ajbjohnston.com.



Since he began working for the Prince Edward Island Mi’kmaw community in 2001, Jesse Francis has managed a wide variety of culture and heritage projects. He led the development of the travelling exhibition- also entitled Ni’n na L’nu: The Mi’kmaq of Prince Edward Island - to which this book is a companion. Jesse is Manager of Joint Projects for the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI and Parks Canada. He lives in Wellington, Prince Edward Island with his wife Moira and their three children.