The Mi’kmaq have called this beautiful island home for over 12,000 years. 'Epekwitk' is the traditional Mi’kmaq name given to the Island, meaning "something lying on the water.” Just off the western shores of Malpeque Bay the Mi’kmaq of Lennox Island offer some fascinating hands-on experiences to share their traditional ways. Imagine learning a song and drumming technique on a drum you created yourself!

Most of the settlers arrived from Scotland, Ireland, England and France and the place names (New London, Kinkora, Irishtown, Kensington, Malpeque and French River) reflect this influx of Europeans, as do the family names which - if you checked the phone book (yes we do still have a phone book) - you would find a large section in the “Ms” taking us all the way from MacAdam to MacWilliams. Celtic traditions live on and the Stanley Bridge Hall Ceilidhs are a great way to experience the musical talent of Islanders and you might want to check out the music in Historic North Bedeque School, as the original hall stage from 1896 has been restored!

More recently the population of PEI has been growing again and today we are happy to say that people from around the world have made their homes in the Heart of PEI. The Kensington and Area Refugee Sponsorship Initiative, a community-based organization dedicated to bringing refugees to Canada, is now working to bring a family from a camp in Kenya.