Prince Edward Island: patterns of behavior

Prince Edward Island: patterns of behavior

Prince Edward Island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence – is a province of Canada, consisting of the island of the same name and 231 islands. The island was formed from sedimentary rocks of soft red sandstone, which produces a rich deep red soil. The soil is red because of the high content of iron oxide. About 15% of the electricity used on the island is generated from renewable sources, mainly wind (Hempstead, 2015).

Prince Edward Island is the most ancient, sophisticated and Victorian place in Canada. Here everything is steeped in history and lives. This is no accidently. The capital of the province - the city of Charlottetown – is considered the place of birth of Canada, because the conference held here in 1864, three years later led to the creation of a new country. Today, this is the smallest province in Canada in which a third of the Canadian grown potatoes, and whose inhabitants are engaged in fishing and maintenance of many tourists. About 40% of local residents are under the age of 25 years (Baglole, 2007). This small island has a rich history, it took the French and then the British, he was part of the province of Nova Scotia, and then separated from it. Prior to the mainland, presented with this region of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick with the island built the Confederation Bridge 12.9 km in length, although in those places always went and still ferries.

Prince Edward Island was formed 5000 years ago, when sea levels rose and formed the Strait of Northumberland (Walls, 2007). The surface of the Gulf, covered by ice, is completely flat or slightly sloping. Beneath the unique red soil in which the famous potatoes grows, there are layers of soft red rocky sedimentary rocks. It comes to the surface in several places along the coast in the form of crumbling rocks. While on the island somewhere and grow forests, yet, thanks to the development of agriculture, the main feature of the landscape - it is agricultural areas with fields and farms that create a patchwork effect. This distinguishes the island from the rest of the Maritime provinces, where the ground is covered with endless forests.

The first European settlers on the island were the French. They came here in 1720 to secure the island for their homeland, which has already had to give Acadia and Newfoundland to UK in 1713. In the middle of the century the island's population was deported, as well as the majority of French-speaking residents of the Maritime provinces, with the growth of tension in the relations between France and the United Kingdom. But later many of the deportees returned. To date, the number of inhabitants Prairie Acadian or French origin is 12 percent, although only a small part of their native language is French. Most settlers immigrated to the British Isles. The British, for the most part, moved here after the deportation of Acadians in 1755, when it was decided to replace the French people more submissive. After the election the capital of Charlottetown in 1768, together with the British were coming here Scots (mountaineers, speaking in Gaelic), and then the Irish (Catholics and Protestants). Due to lifestyle and traditions of the settlers, persists to this day, the island became a stronghold English-Celtic culture in Canada (Walls, 2007).

For over a hundred years the French colony of Acadia, founded in 1604, played the role of buffer between New France and New England. Geographically, the territory belonged to the Acadia current three Atlantic Canadian provinces - New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Almost throughout the period of French colonial rule took Acadia secondary largely marginalized. In the economic, demographic, political terms the colony developed very slowly and become unstable. In 1713 Acadia came under the control of the British colonial administration and thus a homogeneous francophone Catholic population was ruled by the small British administration. Trunk event in the history of the Prairie Acadian community, hereinafter defined its historical destiny, began deportation of 1755-1763. During this period, most Acadians were deported to various British colonies, France and the UK. For several years, Acadians were scattered over enormous distances within the vast region of the North Atlantic. Later in the 1760s of the Acadians was able to return to the territory of historic Acadia (Baglole, 2007).

New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island - are different industrious colonies where independent-minded farmers and fishermen are pleased that they are conducting a new life away from the feudal conquests of old France. This land of farmers called Acadia. The name comes from the Greek name of Arcadia, and was first used to refer to the eastern coast of North America's 16th-century Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano. But when Britain gained control over the region in 1713 after decades of war with France, the Catholic locals quietly resisted attempts by Britain to impose Protestantism and English.

If we look at the ethnic composition of the population of Prince Edward Island, we can see that the majority of the population are descendants of the Scots and the Irish, 15% - the descendants of the French and a small part of the Mi'kmaq Indians who live on the island of Lennox (Hempstead, 2015).

In the French felt a veil, because once this place is owned by the French and was called “Saint – Jean”. This affects the behavior of the inhabitants. However, each year, from June to September, is held in Charlottetown Summer Arts Festival. His feature - the repertoire of theater plays make up only Canadian authors. However, the predominant language of the island is English. The language question in Canada is not exactly a problem as long as it is not used as an instrument of policy. Of course, in the Parliament of Canada is a discussion between Anglophones and Francophones (the latter want more rights and for the French-speaking population). But everyone thought the population of Canada does not consider the problem of bilingualism. Although it is worth noting that in some parts of the country can be found arrogant attitude towards those who use another language. For example, it happens on a purely English-speaking Prince Edward Island, when there is someone talking in French. But it is only a matter of education and culture of the individual. Nevertheless, the inhabitants of the island tend to maintain their own identity, which is extremely proud of. So they kept to themselves in the formation of the Confederation and to the point when there was no alternative to the accession of Canada. The motto of the province – “Small under the protection of the great”, the emblem of plant - flower lady's slipper. The province is named in honor of Prince Edward, Queen Victoria's father. The second, unofficial, province name – is “Garden of the Gulf”. The first inhabitants of the island were Indians Micmac tribe, who called the island “Earth, lying in the cradle waves”. Jacques Cartier discovered the island during his first voyage to the New World, at the same time the island was recorded in France. In 1719 on the island it is based first settlement - Port La Joye - on the shores of the Gulf of Charlottetown. In 1758 the French were pushed back, and Port La Joye, renamed Fort Amherst. And in 1863, Charlottetown has become the island's capital.

Visitors to the island, arriving here, the first get to Getvey village, located at the exit of the Confederation bridge. Island Information Center located in the village, it is possible to “in absentia” see the sights, learn the history and culture of the island. Very popular among the province guests enjoyed the historic village of Orwell Corner, which recreated the look, a life of the first Scottish settlement, here even in the air the spirit of Celtic culture, traditions and ancient symbols. The village and all the former buildings here - a smithy, a sawmill, a post office and shop, the Presbyterian church and a school, houses and barns - recreated or restored it in the form in which they existed in the late 14th century. It is also possible to participate in the Celtic dancing, hear a lot of old traditions and Celtic ballads, visit the traditional Scottish holidays, try the much-loved Scottish haggis and appreciate the uniqueness of Scottish humor and beauty of Celtic music, you can even see the work of the sawmill and the smithy. A small community in Orwell was founded in the early 14th century, the Scots, who arrived on the island with Captain John MacDonald, as well as the families who came here from the island of Skye and from Ireland. Most of today's residents Orvela are descendants of the first settlers.

Farmers who live in Prince Edward Island pass on their farm by inheritance, so we can say with certainty that the farmhouses, sheds and cultivated fields are used and processed not by one generation of families. Yet there is a curious fact that Academician, who live on the island, descendants of the first settlers, the French, who settled on the island - have their own history and the flag.

In the context of the study of the culture and traditions of the people of Prince island Edward of interest Prairie Acadian museum, telling about the first Acadian, appeared on the island in 1720, and almost three hundred years of the history of this amazing kind people, proud of their past and preserving their traditions, culture and the French language.

The island held one of the most popular annual music festivals that take place in mid-July. Here, in a small but colorful island has six years attracts not only local musicians who just enter your musical style, but also well-known stars.

In a small provincial town of O'Leary Canadian Prince Edward Island gaze of curious tourists are attracted by the huge layout potatoes at the entrance to a very interesting museum that tells the history of the potato. Employees of the museum are convinced that it is in their museum contains the largest collection of potatoes in the world. The town is home to about 1000 people, and for three months the museum is visited by over 8000 people. In honor of the museum even a special postage stamp was issued.

Prince Edward Island is a very special, the smallest province in area, where the mixed culture of the English, Scots, French and Mi'kmaq-Indians exists. Locals joke that the red soil of the island (extremely favorable for the growth of the tastiest potato Canada), its color comes from the fact that two hundred years ago, their ancestors leading abundant lobsters for food not consumed, but as “trash” by-catch in abundance falling into net fishermen buried in the fields as a fertilizer. Interestingly, according to local residents, before the advent of the Europeans on the island tribe Micmac Indians used hieroglyphic writing, exchanging letters on birch bark and striking characters curved needle porcupine. Today, the former bustling fishing town of Charlottetown has become a favorite tourist destination, in which the end of the preserved buildings of 18-19 centuries. It is here that the foundations were laid by the creation of a confederation, and the historical memory of this event is stored in Confederation Center for the Arts, which is a landmark of the province, designed to keep the traditions and cultural achievements of the people. Here, throughout the year placed the exhibition, there are art galleries, theater performances are held and the musical Anne of Green Gables. This formulation, not decades, descended from the stage, she tells the story of a bold red girl whose home is remarkably similar to Prince Edward Island.

Prince Edward Island is a land of contrasts. In this province, along with spacious green land, urban areas and tourist facilities are located, associated with both the real historical events and characters with fictional known. Many centuries later, this small island - the place of birth and the Canadian Federation of the famous novel Anne of Green Gables - has become a popular tourist area. This island may not be very rich in history and culture, but very eventful modern life.

Sometimes it is said that Prince Edward Island is the closest to direct democracy in all of North America. Thanks to its small population (less than 140 000 inhabitants according to the census 2001) and successful legislative body size, each member is not more than 4,000 people. Districts are usually very small, particularly urban districts. As a result, the majority of people personally know their deputy. In the provincial election campaign in Prince Edward Island is almost not used by television or radio advertising, and they are made by crawling homes as district so small that you can get around each host for the campaign (Wesley, 2016).

It should also be noted that Prince Edward Island today can be considered one of the cleanest places in Canada. And the main credit for this belongs to the provincial government, which has managed to convince all sectors of the population actively involved in the program, reducing the amount of waste entered into force in 1990. For this purpose it was conducted public hearings and consultations that helped to establish cooperation between the population and local authorities. In addition, investments were made in developing and implementing innovative solutions to reduce waste.

The program includes three main areas: waste reduction in output, the reuse of finished products, the use of “exhaust” of products as secondary raw materials. It is based on the position that most of the waste is a resource, suitable for recycling.

Special classes, excursions, exhibitions, posters, educational computer games and video presentations - everything is constantly used both in schools and in the work with the population and civil society organizations. In enterprises, educational institutions, among the various groups and individuals distributed brochures, leaflets, newspaper articles. Waste Management Commission of the island helps the Department of Education to develop a new school program with the 1st to the 12th grade, in order to show students the benefits of waste separation system.

The educational activities and actively joined the government itself, deciding on their own example to show citizens the right waste treatment methods: all employees were given a special “mini-basket” and obliged to sort waste into three categories: to be compostable, designed for future recycling and others. The effect was twofold: first, the sawn result made a great impression on visitors, and secondly, the officials largely revised their daily habits and behavior.

To encourage private waste management programs, such as waste composting in schools, investments were allocated. In addition, a prohibition on open burning of garbage was issued, fee for waste disposal is picked, containers for separate waste collection by the population are manufactured, as well as a scheme for remediation of landfills is developed. All this has also led to a significant reduction in the amount of waste.

Works Cited

Baglole, Harry et al. A Study on Prince Edward Island Local Governance. IRIS Group, 2007. Print.

Hempstead, Andrew. Moon Spotlight Prince Edward Island. Avalon Travel Publishing, 2015. Print.

Walls, Martha. Prince Edward Island Book of Everything: Everything You Wanted to Know About PEI and Were Going to Ask Anyway. MacIntyrePurcell Publishing, Inc., 2007. Print.

Wesley, J. Big Worlds: Politics and Elections in the Canadian Provinces and Territories.  University of Toronto Press, 2016. Print.