Toponomy and cultural landscape in central Cape Breton, Unama’kik, and Cheap Breattain

Abstract

This thesis examines the relationship between toponomy and cultural landscape of Mi'kmaw and non-Indigenous populations in historical Cape Breton. The goal is to demonstrate the ways in which place names are indicative of identity, social relationships, and power dynamics. This paper engages in analyses involving cultural landscape anthropology, examining the various theoretical approaches involved in assessing the ways Mi'kmaw and settler groups associated and named the landscape. A historiographical analysis of prolific record-keepers and maps that contain toponymic information for this region was completed. This thesis explores the processes in which bias and cultural power is expressed through the ways maps, dictionaries, and place name records are kept. An intensive analysis of Baptist missionary Silas Rand as well as an examination of his records and other maps demonstrates the validity and applicability of certain records to the study of toponomy and cultural landscape. Further, the theory and historiographical components of this thesis will serve to demonstrate the interconnected nature of place names and culture within Central Cape Breton through several case studies. Through this information, an in-depth place name analysis of the toponyms of Cape Breton, Unama'kik, and Cheap Breattain has been completed. The various omissions, replacements, and retention of place names are demonstrative of the fluidity of culture landscape and the ways in which power is exerted between and within populations.