An Ancient Bond with the Land

Maritime Peoples

The Aboriginal Peoples of Atlantic Canada

Atlantic Canada has been home to Aboriginal peoples for at least 500 generations. Algonquian-speaking groups, such as the Mi'kmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, Beothuk, and Innu, traditionally made their homes in this region.

These groups were separated by settlement areas that changed and shifted over time. All followed similar ways of life based on hunting, fishing and harvesting a variety of wild foods. Communities dispersed and came together at different times during the year, as different natural resources became available.

Traditional distribution of Aboriginal groups based on historical evidence