Brief History of Isle Madame
Isle Madame is located on the southeastern coast of Cape Breton Island, about 129
square kilometres in size, with a population of just over 3,000. Records suggest that
the first settlement dates back to the early 1700, and it is widely held that Isle
Madame was named after the second wife of France’s Louis XIV.
Historically, it was the rich fishing grounds off the coast of Cape Breton that brought
French, English, Basque, and Irish settlers to Isle Madame. Though the area has
benefitted from newcomers to the area, Isle Madame has maintained its historical
roots. A designated French culture region, a large proportion of residents speak
both French and English, and Richmond County has been designated a protected
Acadian constituency in the provincial legislature.
Not only did fish bring our first settlers to the area, but fishing also remained a
mainstay of the economy until the latter part of the 20th century. The downturn in the
fishery in the early 1990s put Isle Madame’s economic survival in jeopardy, while at
the same time, providing an opportunity for change and self-renewal.
Development Isle Madame Association: From Collapse to Opportunity
Until the early 1990s, Isle Madame was largely a group of small communities
functioning independently of each other. Communities like Little Anse, Petit de Grat,
Arichat, Rocky Bay, D’Escousse, West Arichat, and Janvrin’s Island existed
separately, most with their own schools, churches, and community centres. The
collapse of the ground fishery required a rethink of how Isle Madame’s communities
functioned. Alone, each was in jeopardy. Together, much more was possible.
In 1995, Development Isle Madame Association (DIMA) was formed. Community
economic development was the name of the game, and DIMA was the engine driver.
Their goal was to introduce protocols that would drive long-term growth to offset
losses due to the downturn in the fishery and set Isle Madame on a path of selfrenewal that would help insulate the island from future economic challenges.
Some 30 years after the ground fishery collapse, the island boasts a vibrant
economy. To quote DIMA: “Isle Madame prides itself as a community of strength,
resilience and innovation, turning a corner from a resource-based economy to a
knowledge and service-based economy with significant business advantages.”
A Vibrant Business Community
Several businesses continue to revolve around the fishery, with an emphasis on
species other than just the ground fish that brought settlers to Isle Madame.
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Clearwater Seafood, Premium Seafood, and Petit de Grat Packers all support local
fishermen who continue to make their living on the waters that surround our island.
Samson Enterprises helped turn fishing boats to pleasure craft, then emerged as a
powerhouse in boatbuilding and manufacturing. Their company also boasts a 150-
ton marine TraveLift, marine storage, and maintenance facility.
Those businesses have been joined, though, by other ventures that have been able
to harness the work ethic that comes from our ancestors who risked their lives on the
sea. Breton Fabrication, as an example, provides welding, fabrication, sandblasting,
painting, power washing, marine repair, installation around Isle Madame and
beyond. This successful company, made up of young people from the area, has
expanded into the much-needed arena of building affordable homes during the one
of the most significant housing crises our province has faced in its history.
While all companies bring employment and services to the area, Appleseed Energy
does all that and at the same time is helping to unleash the potential of solar energy
in Northeastern Nova Scotia. Appleseed specializes in both grid-tied solar systems
and off-grid living and illustrates the impact this entrepreneurial spirit has had on
both long-time residents and newcomers to the area.
Among DIMA’s early objectives was to promote an entrepreneurial spirit. Their
successes can be found in the small businesses that have shot up in recent years,
along with some who have flourished since DIMA began. Businesses like
Marchand’s Welding and Fabrication, Route 19 Electrical, Oceanview Drafting,
Samson Plumbing and Heating, and Peter Covin Contracting have emerged strong
and resilient, and help employ many people on Isle Madame.
Welcoming Those from Away
DIMA also set out to help residents see what we often took for granted: Isle
Madame’s beauty and culture. The tourism industry flourished over the last few
decades, and many properties now welcome guests from across the province,
country, and globe.
The Groundswell, originally apartments and a general store, now boasts live music
and fine dining year-round, and offers kayak, bike, and canoe rentals. The
Clairestone is a newly renovated gem found in the village of Arichat. Once a motel,
the building has been transformed into a boutique hotel, surrounded by natural
beauty. Guests are immersed in culture here and can find everything from “Things
to do on Isle Madame” to “Claire’s Mustard Pickles Recipe” on their website.
As smaller venues like Caper Cottages and It’s a Shore Thing continue to open, Isle
Madame’s welcome mat grows larger. Sweeping vistas, look-offs, gardens, and
provincial picnic parks offer much for visitors to see and do, including Pondville
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Beach with its kilometre-long sandy beach, backed by gentle sand dunes, large
lagoon, and salt marsh.
Several local businesses, some around for generations, support both tourism and
small village life alike. Shamrock Store in D’Escousse is the epitome of what an oldfashioned general store should be – a place where you can buy hunting licenses and
milk, Tylenol and fishing lures, bread and BINGO markers.
The Island Nest, Corner Bridge Store, and Shirley’s Spudwagon (whose opening
always heralds the beginning of summer) all welcome locals and visitors alike to
come together and enjoy good food and good times. La Goélette à Pépé in Arichat
blends both service and history with its rich coffee selection and love of history. The
exquisite replica of their grandfather’s schooner (the English translation of the café’s
name) that serves as its counter space showcases a passion for the past.
Telile
From the outset, communication was a priority for DIMA. Telile was the
association’s communication brainchild meant to unite a community as it forged a
new path in the face of adversity. As Silver Donald Cameron, one of the founding
members of DIMA, put it, “You can’t participate if you don’t know what is going on.
You can’t have real community, and you can’t have real democracy, if you don’t have
communications. Telile’s role is to make sure that people here do know what’s going
on and do know how they can participate. That’s what Telile is about.”
As they celebrate their 30th anniversary this year, Telile continues to focus on their
mission statement: “To support and grow the economic, social, spiritual, and cultural
development of our people through communications. We produce programming for
use on our community channel and for exchange or sale to individuals, groups, or
other organizations, including other broadcast outlets.” There is no doubt that Telile
has been one of DIMA’s resounding successes.
Volunteers as the Backbone of Community
For a small island off an island in the eastern most part of Nova Scotia, Isle Madame
has much to be proud of! The community’s ability to find a path forward following the
collapse of its principle economic driver should not be downplayed. Where other
communities struggled to survive, Isle Madame didn’t just survive, it flourished.
Much of the success can be attributed to our residents’ fierce work ethic and
community spirit. It is human nature for those with a shared vision to find
opportunities to work together toward common goals, and community halls represent
the beacon for individuals linked by a sense of commitment to their community. That
community spirit spurs residents to devote countless hours, so the last vestige of
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their small villages not only survive but flourish. Where schools and churches have
all but disappeared from the landscape in most small villages, community halls have
remained, in some cases for well over 50 years. These halls represent a testament
to volunteers who found ways to keep them open during the most difficult times.
Community Halls
Little Anse – Samson’s Cove Social Action Centre: Like most villages on the
island, Little Anse once had its own school. This centre now stands where the
school was located before it was destroyed by fire in the 1960s. Incorporated in
1967, their goal is to connect the community, while celebrating their Acadian heritage
and ties to the fishing industry and the sea.
The Social Action Centre also houses a Lighthouse Intrepretive Centre which helps
fulfill their vision of preserving history to share with residents, distant relatives, and
visitors. The Social Action Centre hosts parties, darts, dances, holiday events, and a
vibrant Party in the Cove each summer, where residents and visitors alike come
together for food, music, and family fun.
Volunteers at the Social Action Centre work together proudly, “de notre volonté de
donner up coup de main, de l’exposition d’intreprétation du phare, à notre Fête dans
les Anses, et tout ce qu’il y a entre les deux.” (by lending a helping hand, from the
lighthouse interpretation exhibition, to our Party in the Cove and everything in
between.)
St. Joseph’s Parish Hall: St. Joseph’s Parish Hall in Petit de Grat was built in 1960
to help with parish expenses and community development. In the early years, the
hall had a gardener, a hall and church janitor, and a parish secretary. Although the
organisational structure has changed, and the work now done entirely by volunteers,
the mandate of community gatherings has remained.
For over 60 years, St. Joseph’s Parish Hall has been a gathering place for the
community. Well-known local musicians played their first performances on the stage
of the hall. Many social events bring people together to experience moments of
joy. It also gathers the community in times of need – holding spaces for families
after funerals or for benefits for those experiencing challenges. St. Joseph’s Parish
Hall has helped develop local leaders, served as an economic support, and has built
lasting relationships. (When Alexa McDonough and Ed Broadbent came to honour
Charlie Joe Gallant in 1982, they did so at the St Joseph’s Parish Hall.) For many
years it was, and it still is, a backbone of the community.
La Picasse, Centre Culturelle et Communautaire: “La Picasse” est un nom
symbolique pour le Centre qui sert d’ancrage à la survie du français et à la culture
acadienne dans la communauté. (“La Picasse” is a symbolic name for the Centre
which serves as an anchor for the survival of French and Acadian culture in the
community.)
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La Picasse is located in Petit de Grat and opened their doors in 1997. La Picasse
offers services, cultural, educational, touristic, and artistic programming for the
Acadian community. This organization seeks to gather, engage, and express itself in
hopes of facilitating the preservation and promotion of the French language and
Acadian culture, all while respecting other languages and cultures. La Picasse
promotes the flourishing of the French language and the vitality of the Acadian
community, and also offers services, meeting spaces, banquets, and rental spaces
(e.g., library, CSAP offices, and l’Université Sainte-Anne classes).
Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 150: The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 150
originated in 1956 in Petit de Grat. The original building burned in 1964, and a new
building was built in 1965 on the site where it stands today. Their mandate is to
support veterans of the CAF, RCMP, and their families. Branch 150 hosts Veterans’
Days each month as well as programs to support the well-being of veterans (e.g.,
picnic table builds, mending on the fly, etc,).
Branch 150, Isle Madame is very active in the community. Their hall hosts
weddings, birthday parties, BINGO, cribbage leagues, Tarabish tournaments, pool
competitions, and dances. Residents of the area and visitors alike can find
themselves well fed during the Legion’s monthly breakfast and fish fry. If music is
your passion, the monthly jam session should not be missed.
Like many halls and community centres, the Branch 150, Isle Madame became a
warming centre where residents can find some warmth during severe weather
events and the like. With support from the Red Cross, the Legion is also on track to
become an emergency centre able to accommodate residents for short periods
should disaster require that they leave their homes.
Our Lady of Assumption Parish Hall: Like many parish halls, Our Lady of
Assumption (OLA) Hall in Arichat serves to support the nearby church. The parish of
Notre Dame de L’Assomption/Our Lady of Assumption was founded in the late 1700s
and is the oldest parish in the diocese. The first church was built in 1786, replaced
by the present church in 1837, making it the oldest Catholic church in Canada.
OLA parish also boasts a long-time commitment to education. Catholic schools in
Arichat opened as early as 1824 for boys and 1836 for girls, with a private school in
Lochside being established with support from the St. John’s Anglican Church around
the same time. So important were the church and education in the area, that St.
Francis Xavier University opened in Arichat when it was founded in 1853, before
moving to the Archdiocese of Antigonish in 1855.
Today, the OLA hall sits near the historic church, and continues to support both the
church and the surrounding communities. When the Hearts of Isle Madame
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Disability Society was founded several years ago, they began using the OLA Hall for
many of its social events and fundraisers, as does the St. Anne’s Community and
Nursing Care Centre. Whether the hall is hosting AGMs, serving as a fundraising
venue, or operating as a comforting station or polling location, it continues to fulfil its
mandate of serving the church and community.
Isle Madame New Horizons Senior Citizens’ Club: The Isle Madame New
Horizon Senior Citizens Club was incorporated in October 1988. Their mandate is to
promote good fellowship among our members and all senior citizens in the
community. They started with 40 members meeting at the Acadiaville Community
Centre. In 1990 the deed for the property was handed over to the club from the
province, and the main building was constructed in 1994 with extensions added over
the years. Today, membership exceeds 400.
The New Horizon’s Club hosts 45 and cribbage card games, BINGO, jam sessions,
and meals. They also host yoga classes and other programs delivered by the
municipality. Because their mandate is to support seniors, they offer workshops
related to the health and well-being of seniors. They promote exercise and mental
health by offering games where the seniors can exercise and keep their minds
sharp. In addition to being an EMO warming centre, the New Horizon’s Club is also
where local residents vote in municipal, provincial, and federal elections.
Janvrin’s Island Community Centre: Janvrin’s Island was deeded to John Janvrin
is 1794. It is near rich fishing grounds and became a vibrant fishing post through the
19th century. By the late 1800s, residents set out to build a school to ensure their
children could get an education without having to leave the area. The last of a series
of one-room schoolhouses was built in 1965 but closed in 1979 as the population
dwindled. The community bought the building, and it has continued to serve them
well as their community centre.
The hall is the epitome of a community centre, in that all members of the community
share a feeling of ownership for the facility. There is no cost to rent the hall, and it
serves as the focal point for conversations among residents and between residents
and those from outside who want to consult or report to the community.
Though in a period of rebuilding, this centre was the birthplace of “Janvrin’s Fest”, a
community festival that started in 1989 as a one-day event with a parade of locals
and fun events for families in the area. The festival grew over the next several years
to include an outdoor dance, pancake breakfast, boat parade, and rowboat and log
sawing contests. The festival served as a blueprint to other communities about how
to grow or begin festivals in their own communities.
Acadiaville Community Centre: In the mid-1800s, a convent sat on the site
currently occupied by the Acadiaville Community Centre, which then became a
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school. Eventually taken over by the government, it burned in 1911. The community
rebuilt, and education resumed on that site until 1953 when a new school was built
nearby. The building was run by the Knights of Columbus in 1977 until the
community took it over in 2007, renaming it the Acadiaville Community Centre.
Like most halls, they host card plays, benefits, dances, and community gatherings. If
washer toss is your jam, this is the place to be. Acadiaville also houses the local
Feed Nova Scotia Food Bank in its basement, cementing it as a place where the
community can go in times of crisis. Their Spring Fling, which is celebrated around
Easter, includes a breakfast for community members where they can get together
and welcome spring after a long winter. Acadiaville also hosts an annual Motorcycle
Poker Run, where enthusiasts can enjoy the beautiful scenery that Isle Madame has
to offer, compete for some prizes, and enjoy a barbeque and refreshments with good
company.
Rocky Bay Irish Club: This hall sits on a large piece of property that includes a ball
field and basketball court near the site where an older hall once stood. Rocky Bay is
known for its rich Irish heritage, and the “orange and green” can be found throughout
the community. The Irish Club is the informal home of the Isle Madame Garden
Club, and the official home of Anne’s Memorial Garden – a place for people to heal,
relax, and reflect in the spirit of Celtic traditions that celebrate the Irish culture in the
area.
The Irish Club is also home to the “Shamrock Players” – a group of actors and
playwrights who perform at dinner theatres throughout the year. Wildly popular, they
serve as significant fundraisers, and in the spirit of cooperation, the group donates
their performances to various groups – and even other halls – either in this venue or
another.
D’Escousse Civic Improvement Society: Like other halls, this building stands on
the site of a former school. When a more modern school was built nearby, a group
of residents formed the Civic Improvement Society, and took over the hall in the late
1950s. Volunteers have always been the lifeblood of halls, and D’Escousse was no
exception. One volunteer, Susan Murphy, was so committed to the hall, that she
refused to take vacation or even visit family for fear of not doing her civic duty at her
beloved hall. One weekend in 1990, her neighbours convinced her to take a short
vacation to visit family. The hall burned to the ground while she was gone!
Undaunted, the hall rebuilt, and the new building opened in 1992. It is the biggest
hall on the island, and as such, can serve as a venue for much larger and diverse
types of events. The hall hosts flea markets, yard sales, Celtic Colour concerts,
fundraisers, and Memorial Events (e.g., the recent Tyson Bowen Benefit in aid of
Real Canadian Recreation Society).
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The D’Escousse Civic Improvement Society’s commitment to youth and education
can be seen through the D’Escousse Bursary Fund. Once the Society was on solid
financial footing, they invested a significant amount of money into a Bursary Fund.
Beginning in the mid-1980s, the fund was able to draw on the interest of that
investment, and each graduate from the area ever since has been awarded up to
$1000 to help defray the costs of post-secondary study.
Community Halls and Chasing Aces
While the halls’ contributions were significant, bridging the gap between communities
remained a challenge. As churches and schools closed, villages clung to their
community halls. It was clear something had to change.
And then there were aces.
Led by D’Escousse, all 10 halls found a way to harness the fundraising potential of a
new lottery: Chase the Ace. Supported by volunteers from each organization, the
event moved between halls. Music played. Bars were opened. Ticket sales soared.
When one ace went, a new game began.
The goal was to raise funds for the halls, and by all accounts it was a resounding
success. From 2016 to 2022, four rounds of Chace the Ace were completed, with
prizes ranging from $17,000 to $158,000 for the lucky ace-pickers. Tens of
thousands of dollars went to each hall, and donations to the both the St. Anne’s
Centre and Strait Richmond Hospital followed. The financial impact of this
endeavour, though, was only one part of the story. “Coming together” proved to be
invaluable.
While lucky winners found the ace, volunteers from each hall found themselves
working with volunteers from other organizations. Though challenging at times, a
shift occurred. Community groups stopped competing and found ways to work
alongside, and sometimes with, each other. If the Legion’s breakfast was on the first
Sunday of the month, D’Escousse held theirs on the second. People talked, shared
ideas, and found opportunities to share the load and the wealth.
The spirit of cooperation that the Chace the Ace brought the community has been
profound. Though DIMA may not have had a direct hand in bringing the halls
together, it’s clear the approach of “together we are better” has had a lasting impact
on how folks from Isle Madame see themselves – more than the sum of their parts.
A Testament to Isle Madame’s Community Spirit
Building on unique strengths within community: Isle Madame’s history is one of
resilience in the face of adversity. When faced with the collapse of the fishery, their
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principle economic driver, members of the community were quick to answer the call.
They identified the strengths Isle Madame residents had from working in the fishery
in this part of the world. A fierce work ethic, a willingness to take on big projects, a
sense of community, an entrepreneurial spirit. Each of these attributes have been
harnessed to ensure the community would live on and not just survive but prosper.
Including a high degree of participation in community projects: Community
halls are the lifeblood of each small village, and the sheer volume of volunteers it
takes to keep each of them afloat is extraordinary. Even more impressive is the
range and variety of these projects. While the halls serve as an icon in the
community, they rally volunteers in other organizations that draw additional
volunteers that make up the lifeblood of a vibrant community.
The St. John Centre for the Arts is currently competing in the #nextgreatsave event
to continue the restoration efforts as it transforms itself from a church to centre for
the arts. The Angel’s Fund Society is made up of volunteers whose mandate is to
support patients who face life altering illnesses. Sports teams, ATV Riders
Associations, various yacht clubs, all supported by volunteers, and each of those
finds a home for themselves in the community halls across the island where they can
meet and fundraise.
Inclusive and encouraging diversity: History and culture matter on Isle Madame,
but diversity is not just welcome, it is supported. Isle Madame sponsored a family
from Vietnam in the 1970s and Syrians following the humanitarian crisis over the last
decade. Their commitment to adults with disabilities is significant as well. One of
DIMA’s first community economic development projects was meant to recognize the
respect residents have always had for those with disabilities with an emphasis on
keeping them in their community. The Isle Madame Small Options Society and the
Hearts of Isle Madame are a testament to what inclusivity can mean in a small area.
Promoting community pride: If you want to see what community pride looks like,
spend a summer on Isle Madame. Festivals that celebrate culture and pride of place
fill up social calendars through July and August. None of these can happen without
an army of volunteers who do so to remember our past and celebrate our future. As
we transition to a community that is more than a collection of small villages, we can
finally see ourselves as others have seen us: breathtaking, rugged, and peaceful.
That’s not to say that each moment is quiet and serene. If you find yourself at a Red
Caps game in Petit de Grat on a warm Sunday afternoon, prepare yourself for fierce
competition as teams vie for the coveted Richmond Amateur Baseball Association’s
top prize. The Red Caps have been playing ball in Petit de Grat since 1947 and won
the National Oldtimers Championships in 2022! Spectators know that Roy Boudreau
and Barry Marchand smile down proudly as each batter crosses the plate.
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Creating an enduring community: Where schools, churches, post offices, fish
plants, and ship building operations closed, community halls have found a way for
the island to remain vibrant and viable. We share our joyous and saddest moments
together in these buildings, and the impact that has on our sense of community
cannot be overstated. We are more together than we were apart, and the halls run
by these organizations allow that sense of community, its very spirit, to live on.
Lundrigan Lane Light Up
A story about Isle Madame’s community spirit would not be complete without
mention of Lundrigan Lane’s Christmas Light Up. What started as a playful
competition between neighbours around who could put up the most vivid light display
turned into an annual event that draws residents and visitors from across the county
and beyond. As more blow moulds arrived, extension cords added, and the footprint
increased, Lundrigan Lane now transforms itself each winter from a lazy cul-de-sac
to a Christmas light show that could double as an airport landing strip.
As the buzz grew about the Lane’s largesse, more and more people travelled to see
the display. Those responsible for the lights – who describe themselves as a just a
bunch of neighbours with an unhealthy amount of Christmas spirit(s) – decided that
there was a fundraising opportunity in their midst. They slapped up a donation box
and collected funds for the Hearts of Isle Madame Disability Society, raising more
than $1,400. A different group has received the benefits each year, including the
Recreation Fund for Residents of St. Anne’s Centre, Strait Richmond Healthcare
Foundation, and Stella Maris Parish’s Social Justice Fund. This year, the Angel
Fund received more than $8,700 from the Lundrigan Lane gang.
The Lights are a microcosm of what the halls, and the island as a whole, have come
to be about: family and friends coming together to support other organizations in the
area who in turn support those in need, while at the same time enjoying all that living
on our small island has to offer