The Melanson Settlement was an Acadian Settlent that is now the site of archaeological digs to understand more about the history of these people. It is located in close proximity to where a French Trading Fort existed in the 1700s.
The French Trading Fort has been reconstructed to accurately depict the lives of those who once lived there. The British burnt the fort to the ground while the French were out in the fields tending crops.
On the historic site is a large tepee and what we found inside was very special. An Indian from the Mi'kmaq tribe is there to tell us about his tribe's history and current life in the area. He had lots of crafts on display that he made himself using leather and other animal skins he cleaned himself, as well as porcupine quills and assorted other items. We were treated to two Indian songs, a meeting song and a happiness song, which he sang in his native tongue while beating on drums he made.
