Slices of Island History

​Another wonderful opportunity Bound had created for me is receiving invitations to speak to groups on aspects of Prince Edward Island history. Some of these presentations have been directly related to the topics addressed in my novel while others were only tangentially so.

Community, cultural and other groups have sought presentations on Indigenous treaties, parallels between Ireland and Island, remarkable Island women and more. While much of this information comes from research for my novel, other areas required digging deeper into certain factors and influences on Island history and culture over the centuries.

The presentation on women who shaped the Island over three centuries was a great opportunity to profile strong characters who have often been overlooked in the traditional histories of the area. These include female Mikmaq, Acadian and enslaved persons who lived on the Island for a time.  It also includes several remarkable women who appear in the pages of Bound including Suzanna Torriano, Nellie MacDonald and Freelove Haszard. Of course, just because they were women didn’t mean they were necessarily on the right side of an issue, at least in my view.  including an British  heiress who became the landlord of over 60,000 acres and refused to sell so that her tenants could finally own the land they worked.

​Talking about ‘Islandness’ and the distinctive culture that developed on PEI like many other Islands not only creates a greater understanding of our history but challenges us learn and think more about who we are and why.