Mi'kmaq wigwam new focal point for P.E.I. historic site

The national historic site at Port La-Joye-Fort Amherst is getting a new feature this summer.

A traditional birchbark wigwam, built in a partnership between the Mi'kmaq Confederacy of P.E.I. and Parks Canada will be constructedto act as the focal point for visitors to the grounds.

Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq artist Todd Labrador will work with two local people to erect the wigwam. Labrador worked on a similar project in Kejimkujik in 2015, and pictures of that wigwam are included here.

"To be able to pass on the knowledge that I have is a huge honour," he said.

"To see the interest growing in our people, it makes me really happy because I know my father would be happy, my great-grandfather, and ancestors would be very happy to see this happen."

Labrador learned wigwam building from his father who learned from his grandfather, and built his first in 1987.

The wigwam, roughly four metres high and just as wide, will be made from locally available materials.

From 1725 to 1758, when the area was home to a French settlement known as Port La Joye, Mi'kmaq and French leaders met there annually to renew their alliance.

The wigwam build will start in mid-June and there will be heritage presentationsat the site through the summer.

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