Kejimkujik Petroglyphs in Jakes Landing, Nova Scotia
Along the shores of Kejimkujik Lake in Nova Scotia, more than 500 petroglyphs are etched into the smooth slate bedrock of Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site. The Mi’kmaq have lived, hunted, and fished in the Kejimkujik area since time immemorial. Their enduring presence is documented through oral histories and numerous archaeological sites, including ancient campsites, fish…
Along the banks of Kejimkujik Lake in Nova Scotia, over five hundred petroglyphs adorn the smooth slate bedrock within Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site. For generations, the Mi’kmaq people have resided, hunted, and fished in this area, with their history recorded through oral traditions and numerous archaeological sites such as campsites, fish weirs, and burial grounds.
These stone carvings stand as a visual testament to Mi’kmaq history, providing insight into life before and after the arrival of Europeans. While certain petroglyphs are estimated to be eight hundred to one thousand years old, many portray Mi’kmaq life between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. The carvings capture various elements of Mi’kmaq culture and daily existence, including traditional attire, canoes, fauna, and hunting scenes.
Notably, they depict the unique peaked hats of Mi’kmaw women, ocean-going canoes, and rare instances of artists' signatures written in Mi’kmaw script. Additional carvings chronicle interactions with Europeans, illustrating sailing ships, firearms, and European figures. Collectively, these images chronicle centuries of Mi’kmaq history, culture, and encounters with an evolving world.
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