The Coffees of Isle Madame

The bustling days of wooden ships and canvas sails brought prosperity to Isle Madame and Arichat became a major port of call for vessels involved in the triangular coastal trade — fish to the Caribbean for rum and molasses, and Europe for sophisticated manufactured goods. In the 1830's, as many as 60 vessels per year were built in Arichat! Two and three-masted schooners, many owned and operated by accomplished local men like Thomas LeNoire, Charles Boudrot, Benjamin Girroir, Isadore LeBlanc to name a few.

Prosperous and confident, Arichat boasted five forges and 24 wharves, a cathedral to serve their souls and a college (which became St. Francis Xavier University) to broaden their minds.

Prior to 1755, Arichat was known as Nerichac, Mi'kmaq for 'land between two rocks'. It was a peaceful and harmonious time. The Mi'kmaq, a peace loving and hospitable people, accepted the Acadians as equals and welcomed them to Isle Madame. The two cultures shared a powerful devotion to independence and liberty, and the Acadian culture flourished.

Together, the Acadians and Mi'kmaq demonstrated how people very different from one another in language, religion and tradition could respect one another as equals, and live in harmony.

Some of us have been here since time immemorial, others have joined in along the way, together providing a snapshot in time, a wealth of culture and heritage, but we all became Cape Bretoners.

We live simple lives in one of the quietest corners of the earth. But in the stillness, we hear the echoes of our ancestors… the beat of the drum, the song of the fiddle, the sound of voices telling stories in many languages. We treasure colourful expressions and cultural wealth. We love our vivid sunsets, our placid lakes and our rocky shores. We love, laugh and live life to the fullest. We welcome change and adventure, but never lose our grip on our past.