Petroglyphs
Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site
Elapskɨta'sikl kun'tal (“carvings in stone” or “petroglyphs”) created by the early Mi’kmaq are found on glacially polished slate outcrops along the lakeshores of Kejimkujik. These enduring images are an invaluable resource for understanding the history and lives of the Mi’kmaw ancestors.
History written in stone
There are over 500 individual petroglyphs within Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, making it one of the largest collections of such images in eastern North America. These petroglyphs are a unique and important component in the cultural landscape, telling the story of Mi’kmaw life before and after European contact.
Clothing
Perhaps some of the most important images portray men and women wearing the traditional clothing of the time. In some cases, these images show highly detailed double-curve designs decorating the clothing.
Foremost among these images is the unique peaked hat traditionally worn by Mi’kmaw women. Over 60 petroglyphs depict these peaked hats, suggesting the importance of women in Mi’kmaw society.
Canoes
Several culturally unique images depict the distinctive Mi’kmaw ocean-going canoe.
Built with raised sides, and sometimes rigged with a small sail, this type of canoe was designed for use at sea, and it is seen in several petroglyphs in pursuit of porpoises and other large mammals in the ocean.
Signatures
Another remarkable group of images bear the signatures of the artists written in Mi’kmaw script.
While theirs was primarily an oral culture, Mi’kmaw Elders tell of a seldom used written language, and the Kejimkujik petroglyphs provide some of the only surviving examples.
Preserving the petroglyphs
The petroglyphs of Kejimkujik have faded over centuries of exposure to the elements. Decades of human-induced damage in recent history have also affected the petroglyphs.
To protect what remains for generations to come, the petroglyphs are in a restricted area and only accessible by guided tour. Spaces are limited so as not to disturb the environment.
These petroglyphs remain a sacred place for the Mi’kmaw people—and as such, visitors are asked to abide by protocols for accessing the site.
Access for Mi’kmaw people
Mi’kmaq have an ancestral right to visit the petroglyphs of Kejimkujik. If you are Mi’kmaw and wish to see the petroglyphs during your time at Kejimkujik, please contact Kejimkujik@pc.gc.ca. We will do our best to facilitate site visitations.
Virtual exhibit
Explore the petroglyphs online through this incredible virtual exhibit by The Musee de la Civilisation: Images on Stone. Rock art in Canada.
- See photos and videos of the petroglyphs
- Listen to interviews and stories with Indigenous people and rock art specialists including:
- Mi’kmaq guide Donna Morris
- Archaeologist/anthropologist Brian Molyneaux
- Writer Silas Tertius Rand
- Learn about the history of the petroglyphs and their past, current, and future importance.
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