Chéticamp, Nova Scotia

Chéticamp, Nova Scotia is a fishing community on the Cabot Trail on the west coast of Cape Breton Island Nova Scotia at the western entrance to Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The downtown area overlooks a large bay that is protected from the Gulf of Saint Lawrence by Chéticamp Island. Having a number of public facilities it performs a service function for the northernmost part of Inverness County. The community has almost 4,000 residents a large number of whom are Acadians and speak French natively, as well as English. Together with its smaller neighbour, Saint-Joseph-du-Moine, Chéticamp makes up the largest Francophone enclave on Cape Breton Island.

History

Chéticamp started as a fishing station used during the summer months by Charles Robin, a merchant from the island of Jersey. In the years following the Great Expulsion many Acadians came to this area. The first permanent settlers, the families of Pierre Bois and Joseph Richard, came to the area in 1782. The settlement was established in 1785 by a grant of land to the 14 original settlers.

The origin of the name 'Chéticamp' is from a Micmac word meaning shallow harbour. Even today Cheticamp's harbour at it's deepest is only 25 feet.

Economy

Apart from an important gypsum mine which operated off and on until the Second World War, the main industry in Chéticamp historically has been fishing. As fish stocks have declined, tourism has taken on more importance and is the largest industry at this time.

The tourism industry is based on the beautiful sceanery found in this coastal village at the entrance of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Chéticamp is known for its traditional rug hooking (tapis "hooké"), Acadian music and food. Activities for visitors include whale watching and deep sea fishing. They also host an Internation Dance Festival, Festival de l'Escaouette, and La fete National des Acadiens (le 15 Aout). The industry is highly seasonal, if they could manage to successfully expand to include winter tourism the economy would be considerably more profitable.

Recreation

Like in many areas of the country hockey is the pride and passion of the people of Cheticamp. The local arena is the Cabot Trail arena and is managed by the Northern Inverness Recreational Association, it is host to the Cheticamp Trail Blazers (minor hockey, Les Acadiens (high school) and les Alouettes (senior hockey). Their NDA high school hockey team Les Acadiens have a long tradition of success; the young dream of one day playing for them and the adults dream of days past when they did.

Northern Inverness Recreational Association also manage the golf course which is found directly behind the arena. Le Portage Golf Course is consdiered part of Cape Breton's Fabulous Foursome and is reknown for the beautiful views.

External link

• Photographs of Cheticamp war memorial