Craig Baird
A
thread 1/8
Canada has many beautiful National Parks, and I am looking at each park's history.

Today, it is Kouchibouguac National Park!

Located in New Brunswick, the park is in the territory of the Mi'kmaq.

1/8
12:43 PM - Jan 22, 2024
Avatar Avatar Avatar
0
0
6
Craig Baird
A
thread 2/8
For thousands of years, the land was used by the Mi'kmaq for hunting, fishing, harvesting plants and trade.

The name Kouchibouguac comes from the French corruption of the Mi'kmaq word Pijeboogwek, meaning "long tideway river".

2/8
12:43 PM - Jan 22, 2024
0
2
Craig Baird
A
thread 3/8
Kouchibouguac National Park was established in 1969 and is 238 square-kilometres.

Plans to create the national park began in the mid-1960s but this resulted in the removal of 228 families and 1,200 people.
To compensate residents, an estimate of their property value was determined.

3/8
12:43 PM - Jan 22, 2024
0
1
Craig Baird
A
thread 4/8
When the values were determined, New Brunswick Louis Robichaud cut the estimate in half.

Most of these families were descendants of the Mi'kmaq and Acadians. Their livelihoods depended on fishing, hunting, forestry and tourism in the area.

4/8
12:43 PM - Jan 22, 2024
0
1
Craig Baird
A
thread 5/8
Residents resisted the eviction from their land by the government, and they blocked access to the park on several occasions.

One person, Jackie Vautour, resisted the removal. He had his home bulldozed in 1976, but he returned in 1978 and squatted in the park until he died in 2021.

5/8
12:43 PM - Jan 22, 2024
0
3
Craig Baird
A
thread 6/8
Jackie became a folk hero in New Brunswick and was called The Rebel of Kouchibouguac.

Due to the efforts of people like Jackie, a commission of inquiry granted $1.6 million to those families pushed off their land. It also changed how National Parks were established in Canada.

6/8
12:43 PM - Jan 22, 2024
0
4
Craig Baird
A
thread 7/8
Within the park, there is Kelly's Beach, a long sand-dune that is one of the most popular attractions. There is also a boardwalk trail, eight hiking trails, two campgrounds and several bogs.

In 2009, the park was designated as a Dark-sky preserve.

7/8
12:43 PM - Jan 22, 2024
0
1
Craig Baird
A
thread 8/8
Animals in the park include bobcats, moose, black bears, bald eagles, grey seals and seven species of bats.

If you enjoy my Canadian history content, you can support my work with a donation at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/craigU

8/8
12:43 PM - Jan 22, 2024
0
2

 

{{ notificationModalContent }} {{ promptModalMessage }}