Key Dates

The Mi'kmaq people have lived in Unama'ki (Cape Breton Island) for thousands of years, and it remains their unceded, ancestral territory. There are five Mi'kmaw communities on the island: Eskasoni, Membertou, Wagmatcook, We'koqma'q, and Potlotek. These communities are deeply connected to the land, language, and culture of Unama'ki. 

• Historical Presence:

  The Mi'kmaq have inhabited Unama'ki since time immemorial, with evidence of their presence dating back over 10,500 years. 

  
  
• Mi'kma'ki:

  Unama'ki is one of the seven traditional districts of Mi'kma'ki, the larger Mi'kmaw territory. 

  
  
• Cultural Significance:

  The Mi'kmaq maintain a strong cultural identity through language, art, music, storytelling, and traditional knowledge. 

IIn 1497, John Cabot (Giovanni Cabotto) set off on a voyage to Asia. On his way he, like Christopher Columbus, ran into an island off the coast of North America. As a result, Cabot became the second European to discover North America, thus laying an English claim which would be followed up only after an interval of over one hundred years. With such an interlude, his voyage seems mainly of academic interest. Although it is true that prior discovery was often used as a justification for colonization,¹ the great amount of time between discovery and colonizing reduces Cabots importance to a minimum in this regard. However, this is not at all to say that Cabot was unimportant. In becoming the first European to land on these shores since the time of Leif Erikson, Cabot opened up the Grand Banks to a steady encroachment of European fishermen, thus paving the way for eventual colonization.² His voyage marked Englands first foray into the new age of discovery, and served as a foundation for Englands later claims to North America, albeit at some remove. With his importance so established, it is natural that scholars continue to study Cabots heroic travels and try to pinpoint them. Sadly, the vagueness of the evidence makes this effort futile except in a very general way.

https://canadahistory.ca/sections/documents/explorers/John%20Cabot.html

– Copy of 1924 Victoria County Council Motion by Sidney S. Burke

Moved by S.S. Burke (Sidney S. Burke – Councilor for Ingonish) seconded by Robert J. MacLeod and passed; that in the opinion of the Council now convened that we urge upon the Provincial Government at Halifax, the dire necessity of opening up or connecting the Counties of Inverness and Victoria by opening up the road from Big Intervale, Cape North to Pleasant Bay, Inverness County, thence over the Cap Rouge Mountain and on to Cheticamp. There is only 14 ½ miles of road now in this section that does not permit of automobile travel. This road would no doubt be the most popular drive in Eastern Canada. The loop drive from Point Tupper around our picturesque Island would appeal to everybody as an ideal drive. If this road was complete and linked up with the County of Inverness, it would prove a valuable asset to both counties. It would enhance in value all properties along this line. It would put this part of our county in a similar position as if a railway were built, for during the summer months, scores of people would avail themselves of the opportunity of this beautiful drive, thereby leaving a lot of money along the route of their travels. We ask that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Local Government at Halifax and a copy be sent to the Municipal Council of Inverness, and if need be that a committee be appointed from each county to wait upon the Local Government to facilitate the completion of this road.