A Mi’gmaq and Acadian place

Beaubassin (Beautiful Harbour)

This is the heart of Siknikt, one of the seven traditional Mi’gmaq districts, which extend over all of the modern Maritime Provinces and into Gaspésie in Quebec. There was already an important Mi’gmaq community here when Acadians from Port Royal came in the 1670s to trade and to farm. By the mid-18th century, there was a large and prosperous village at Beaubassin including a Catholic church and a mission to the Mi’gmaq. As of 1750 there were 1400 Acadians living in the village of Beaubassin and the surrounding communities.

The Beaubassin region provided the quickest route between what is today mainland Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The Missaguash and other rivers linked by portages provided the Mi’gmaq travel and trade routes through the area. It also became a valuable route for New France, linking Acadie to Quebec and Louisbourg.

Chignecto was strategically important, as whoever controlled it, controlled travel through the region and beyond.