On the Move

Place Names Scotland Annapolis Valley Isle of Jersey England United States The Arctic Canada Toronto Vancouver Cape Breton Island Calgary Alberta

The Mi’kmaq, the French, the Acadians, the Jerseymen, the Loyalists, the Irish and the Scottish all had different reasons for coming to Cape Breton Island. Some, like the Scottish, had been forced off the land in their native country. They were desperate to find a place where they could earn a living. The Acadians had been forced from their homes in the Annapolis Valley because the English did not trust them. The Jerseymen were merchants who wanted new business opportunities. The Loyalists had supported England in the American War of Independence. They had to leave the United States after they lost the war because they were no longer wanted there. They also faced an unusual punishment if they stayed - they were tarred and feathered! Even the Mi’kmaq were here because their ancestors had slowly moved southward from the Arctic more than 10,000 years ago. They had been looking for food. All of these people migrated to their new homes.