Ever since the first archeological digs were conducted, scientists have believed that Shediac Island, as well as its sister island, Skull Island, was once inhabited by man. Who lived there? When did they live there? How did they live?

Some of the artifacts uncovered during archeological digs date back as far as the 14th century. These artifacts also reveal that the first people to inhabit Shediac Island were of aboriginal descent, namely Micmac. It seems that the tribes populated the island only during the summer months. Some 200 to 400 individuals would meet on the island for political and social gatherings such as weddings.

What kind of lifestyle did the Micmac have? The answer to this question can be found by studying the artifacts unearthed on the site and believed to be used by aboriginals. Their particular functions speak volumes. For instance, remains of a powder that was found is believed to have been scrapings of a soft red rock which was then mixed with the oil from a marine animal such as the seal. This mixture undoubtedly served as face or body paint used by the natives during ritual ceremonies or during important events such as the arrival of foreign ships.

Micmacs loved their dogs... However, piles of dog bones uncovered on the site reveal that man's best friend was once served as the main dish during special occasions such as when preparing for battle.

A moose leg, sharpened into a harpoon, seems to have been used for fishing and hunting purposes. Certain rocks containing grooves were once used to sharpen knife blades. Many of the artifacts found were made out of copper. This was an important element in the making of tools and other objects, such as shards.

The arrival of the Europeans
Was Samuel de Champlain the first European to set foot on Shediac Island?

In 1603, Samuel de Champlain anchored in Shediac Bay. The ship's crew was guided by the Micmacs through many watercourses, such as the Scoudouc River, The Memramcook River as well as Cap d'Or in Nova Scotia in order to reach the copper mines. It is believed that during these voyages, the French explorer would have been led by the Amerindians to Shediac Island soil. Nevertheless, the island was not inhabited by European settlers until many years later.

Though isolated from the mainland, island residents felt the impact of the military activities during the 1750s. Several British soldiers were held prisoner by the Micmacs, allied with the French, in a fort located on Skull Island. In order to regain the freedom of his soldiers, in 1761, King George III signed a peace and friendship treaty with Claude Atouash, Chief of the Indian tribe Jedaick.

Edouard Fougère was the first Acadian to settle on the island in 1850. In 1863, Paul Robinson, a Norwegian sea captain took on the task of lighthouse keeper on the island. Surrounded by lilac bushes, the foundations of the two lighthouses and of his home are still in evidence today. The Europeans eventually outnumbered the aboriginal people on the island. In 1897, Shediac Island was at its peak as a community. A post office, a general store, as well as a school providing education for over 30 pupils from 17 different families, were erected on the island.

Cattle breeding and farming continued until well past the turn of the 20th Century, even after all the permanent residents had left the island. Ted Clements, the very last resident of Shediac Island, sailed for the mainland in 1947.

About 25 centimetres (1 foot) of land around the coast of the islands is lost to the sea each year. The sites on which the aboriginal people built their wigwams have already been destroyed by erosion. In fact, it has been estimated that Skull Island will disappear entirely in less than 75 years. Due to rapid deterioration, future archeological analyses of both islands (Skull Island and Shediac Island), should be carried out as soon as possible.

Pictures

Habitats

Shediac Island Habitats

           Shediac Island is composed of a variety of ecosystems which constitute an immense biodiversity. The availability of these habitats contribute greatly to the animal and plant life on the island. What exactly are these habitats? Which habitats are found on Shediac Island?

The Peat Bog
           The presence of a bog indicates that the area is undergoing a transition between a lake and a meadow or a forest. The bog is an ecosystem composed almost entirely of plants from the sub-plylum Bryophyta (the mosses, such as the peat moss). Moss has great capacity to absorb water. This quality is essential since reproduction requires the male gametes (sperm) to swim towards the female gametes (oospheres) in order to accomplish fertilization.
           Bogs consist of extremely humid habitats. In the past, aboriginal women would use the absorbent mosses as diapers for their infants. The moss was also used as bandages to help soothe and heal the wounds.
           The Peat bog also contains different species of carnivore plants such as the Northern Pitcher Plant, The Round-Leaved Sundew and the Horned Bladderworth. These plants feed on the amino acids found in the soft parts of the insects. They attract their prey by the odors and the colors they give off. The insects are caught in the sticky substance secreted by the plants. Digestion varies from one species to another. The work of special enzymes and the folding of the leaves onto the insects are often involved.

Abandoned Fields
           The abandoned fields on the island are the result of agricultural activity that took place inland. The fields occupy 20% of the island's area. The Micmacs began agricultural farming in 1713. This practice ceased in the 1960s - years after the last resident had left for the mainland. Since then, many bird species ( American Robin, Savannah Sparrow, Northern Harrier), small mammals ( Foxes, Mices, Shrews, Bats), reptiles and insects temporarily use the fields' wide range of flora and fauna as a feeding ground.

Salt Marshes
           About 1/5 of the island is composed of salt marshes. In spite of their importance in terms of biomass productivity, as well as their role as habitats for plant and animal species and their general contribution to the food chain, salt marshes are fastly becoming one of New Brunswick's rarest habitats. Marshes are constantly transformed into residential and commercial areas. Their location close to the sea has great appeal for the human eye.
           Luckily, the salt marshes of the Shediac Island Nature Park are now protected from any type of construction. These habitats contain a great number of ponds filled with fish, plankton and insects on which many animals feed. These marshes act as a sort of sanctuary for numerous classes of animals and for a wide diversity of plants in the region.

The Acadian Forest
           The Acadian Forest, also called the Mixed Forest, is the principal forest on the island. It consists of a great number of spruce, fir, beech, maple, red and white pine. This habitat was exploited on a smaller scale during the occupation of the island. Shediac Island is one of the last sites where this type of forest can be found.

Sandy Beaches
           Shediac Island is surrounded by several kilometers of sandy beaches. Although these beaches may seem like an uninhabited desert, they contain numerous plant and animal species, many of which depend on the sea's resources to survive. The seashore consists of irresistible attractions. Rocks, cliffs, dunes and marshes can be seen as a paradise for wildlife and humans alike. Many birds, such as the piping plover, nest on the sand. The marketing of the region's beaches has greatly contributed to the destruction of the habitat. Luckily, Shediac Island offers protected habitats for these species. The beaches on Shediac Island have much to please the botanists. A wide variety of plants and algae can be found on the island revealing specimens fascinating to discover... and to eat!

Nesting Sites
           The island is home to several bird colonies including the Common Tern and the Great Blue Heron.
           The tern nests can be found in the southernmost part of the island. The colony, though on the small side (10 to 15 nests), represents a good example of the nesting birds in the Shediac area.
           Two Great Blue Heron colonies are found on the island. One situated on the north side of the island is composed of roughly 35 nests. A much larger one is found in the south, consisting of over 100 nests. Such large colonies are found on Shediac Island because of the availability of habitats. Great Blue Herons build their nests, which measure up to a meter in diameter, on the highest branches of trees. Adult herons can reach a height of one meter and have a wingspan of over two meters.

Why do some birds live in colonies?
           Although there are many disadvantages to colonial life ( spread of disease, enhanced territorial aggression, attracting predators) there are also many benefits. For instance, a group of birds as opposed to a single individual, can serve as an information center: each bird directs the others to safe habitats and feeding areas. Although a large flock of birds may attract a predator's eye, the individual chances of being preyed upon are limited. The bigger the flock, the less chance of becoming a predator's lunch!

Wildlife

Shediac Island Wildlife

Canada Goose
The Canada goose belongs to the Anatidae family. They are mostly vegetarians and nest in bogs, lakes and fresh water ponds. One female can lay between 4 to 6 eggs at a time. Both male and female adults care for the young. Geese mate for life. This species is currently on the endangered list in the United States, but the numbers are growing in Canada.

Green-winged Teal
Teals belong to the Anatidae family. They feed on grains, aquatic plants, small crustaceans, mollusks and aquatic insects. Teal nesting sites are located near fresh water ponds Females can carry 8 to 12 eggs. Teals are amongst the fastest flying and earliest spring migrating ducks.

Common Eider
The common eider feeds on mollusks, crustaceans and fish. They usually nest near water on island with vegetation. Females lay 3 to 5 eggs at a time. Unfortunately the location of their habitats often make them susceptible to oil spills.

Ring-necked pheasant The ring-necked pheasant feeds mainly on grain, cereal, acorns and small fruits. Occasionally they will eat mice! They nest in fields and pastures. The female covers a small depression in the ground with leaves and grass in order to build a nest. The female lays 8 to 15 eggs at a time.

Mallard Duck
Mallards mainly eat aquatic plants but sometimes they will eat insects. They build their nests near fresh water. The nest is built by the female with grass and bulrush. She lays 7 to 10 eggs at a time that she carries for 28 days.

Ruffed grouse
Ruffed grouse eat berries, leaves, seeds and insects. The nests are made of branches and leaves. The female lays between 6 to 15 eggs at a time. The male makes a drum sound by standing on a log and beating his wings to mark his territory.

Red breasted Mergansers
Red breasted mergansers mainly eat fish, mollusk, and crustaceans. Females lay between 5 to 11 eggs at a time. The nest is made of plants and down. They generally nest on the ground near lakes and rivers.