The Friends of Beaubears Island Inc. today unveiled plans to attract visitors to Beaubears Island, a designated National Historic Site and National Shipbuilding Historic Site.

The plans include establishing a visitor kiosk and building a replica of Governor Denys’ trading post, which will demonstrate the trade between the Acadian and Aboriginal communities of the area in the early 1600s. Both these attractions will be in Bicentennial Park. The project will also develop interpretive panels for the National Historic Site. ACOA invested a total of $80,480 in this project through its Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF).

“It was with tremendous joy that The Friends of Beaubears Island Inc. received the news concerning this announcement. This project will mark the 400 years of the first arrival of the French in North America,” said Gilles Laplante, President of The Friends of Beaubears Island Inc. “The first establishment in 1669 of Richard Denys and his 12 Acadian families near Beaubears Island marked the beginning of a wonderful relationship between the Acadians and the welcoming Mi’kmaq nation, who were a thriving people. We wish to thank Charles Hubbard and those who supported us in our project.”

“Tourism is a growing industry in Atlantic Canada, particularly as it relates to the colourful history of the founding cultures of our country,” said the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “With the upcoming Acadie 400 celebrations, it is essential that the Government of Canada support initiatives such as this one that foster an understanding of the history of the region. This investment in Beaubears Island will ensure that the contributions of both the Acadian and Mi’kmaq people to Miramichi and all of Atlantic Canada are not forgotten.”

“This investment in Beaubears Island will ensure that the contributions of both the Acadian and Mi’kmaq people to Miramichi and all of Atlantic Canada are not forgotten,” said Miramichi MP Charles Hubbard.

This project forms an important part of Miramichi’s riverfront development strategy, and is also a key component of the Acadie 400 celebrations in the Miramichi area. It is expected that the trading post will draw enough visitor traffic to provide 1,500 guided tours in its first year.

SCIF was created to support strategic initiatives that contribute to community economic development in Atlantic Canada. Its purpose is to help communities create opportunities for economic development that will stimulate employment and attract investments. SCIF is a component of the Atlantic Investment Partnership (AIP).

Stephen Heckbert
Office of the Minister for ACOA
(613) 941-7241

Alison Aiton
Senior Communications Officer
ACOA NB
(506) 444-6144

Gilles Laplante
Friends of Beaubears Island Inc.
(506) 622-3456