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THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA UNVEILS A PLAQUE COMMEMORATING THE NATIONAL HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE OF CHAPEL ISLAND
BADDECK, NOVA SCOTIA, July 30, 2005 -- On behalf of the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Mr. Rodger Cuzner, MP for Cape Breton–Canso, today unveiled a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque commemorating the national historic significance of Chapel Island. The ceremony took place at Lysa’l Nepnek, Potlotek (Chapel Island), Nova Scotia.
“Today’s commemoration will help Canadians appreciate and understand this important chapter in Canada’s history,” said Minister Dion. “It recognizes the importance of Chapel Island as one of the most sacred places for Mi’kmaq people. Since time immemorial, Chapel Island has been a spiritual gathering and meeting place for the Mi’kmaq and their Grand Council.”
Mniku, as it is called by the Mi’kmaq, is also the site of an annual celebration in late July, the St. Anne Mission, which attracts Mi’kmaq from across Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the State of Maine. While it is a Christian ceremony honouring St. Anne, the Patron Saint of the Mi’kmaq, it is also an event where people renew ties to one another and reaffirm their sense of community.
“The Mi’kmaq have great respect for elders and grandmothers still hold an esteemed position in their society,” said Mr. Cuzner. “It is not surprising that the Mi’kmaq chose St. Anne, recognized as the grandmother of Jesus Christ, to be their Patron Saint. There has been an annual St. Anne’s Mission on Chapel Island since 1742, the arrival date of the missionary Maillard who built the first chapel, making it the longest continuous mission in Canada.”
Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of the Environment about the national historic significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada’s history. The placement of a commemorative plaque represents an official recognition of historic value. It is one means of educating the public about the richness of our culture and heritage, which must be preserved for future generations.
Information:
André Lamarre
Director of Communications
Office of the Ministerof the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Carol Whitfield
Field Unit Superintendent
Cape Breton IslandParks Canada
(902) 733-3500
“Today’s commemoration will help Canadians appreciate and understand this important chapter in Canada’s history,” said Minister Dion. “It recognizes the importance of Chapel Island as one of the most sacred places for Mi’kmaq people. Since time immemorial, Chapel Island has been a spiritual gathering and meeting place for the Mi’kmaq and their Grand Council.”
Mniku, as it is called by the Mi’kmaq, is also the site of an annual celebration in late July, the St. Anne Mission, which attracts Mi’kmaq from across Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the State of Maine. While it is a Christian ceremony honouring St. Anne, the Patron Saint of the Mi’kmaq, it is also an event where people renew ties to one another and reaffirm their sense of community.
“The Mi’kmaq have great respect for elders and grandmothers still hold an esteemed position in their society,” said Mr. Cuzner. “It is not surprising that the Mi’kmaq chose St. Anne, recognized as the grandmother of Jesus Christ, to be their Patron Saint. There has been an annual St. Anne’s Mission on Chapel Island since 1742, the arrival date of the missionary Maillard who built the first chapel, making it the longest continuous mission in Canada.”
Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of the Environment about the national historic significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada’s history. The placement of a commemorative plaque represents an official recognition of historic value. It is one means of educating the public about the richness of our culture and heritage, which must be preserved for future generations.
Information:
André Lamarre
Director of Communications
Office of the Ministerof the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Carol Whitfield
Field Unit Superintendent
Cape Breton IslandParks Canada
(902) 733-3500
