Montague Island

Montague Island is a small gem located in the middle of the Montague Strait, between the islands of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is one of the most pristine and untouched islands in North America, and its unspoiled natural beauty has drawn many tourists over the years. Montague Island is also a breeding ground for many species of seabirds, including puffins, murres, and gulls.

History

Montague Island is one of the oldest inhabited islands in North America. Archaeological evidence suggests that humans first arrived on the island around 8,000 BC. The Inuit people who lived there for many centuries called Montague Island “Kildalton” after their homeland in Scotland.

The first Europeans to visit Montague Island were the Portuguese explorer João Fernandes Cabralin and his crew in 1501. They named it “Ilha de Santa Catarina.” The French explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville charted its eastern coast in 1616, but the Spanish viceroy of New Spain did not recognize it as an island until 1795. The name first appeared on a map in 1801, when the French navigator and explorer Captain Jacques Cartier called Montague Island “Ile Saint-Cataline.”

Brigham Young made plans to colonize Maine in 1837 but ultimately decided that settling North America was too expensive for him at this time. William Brown added his support after he returned from mkeying salt by trapping beaver with fur traders near Montague Island before most other Americans had even heard about what Mormons were doing there.

Climate

Montague Island has a subarctic climate, which means that the average temperature in January is −2°C and the average temperature in July is 18.7°C. Geology and ecology of the island are dominated by glacial deposits. Montague Island has been shaped by glaciers, which have left behind moraines that form cliffs over long stretches of northern Queen Maud Gulf in the wintertime.

There is also evidence for volcanic activity on three separate occasions: 300 million years ago to 82 million years ago; between 97 and 44 thousand years bp with tephra field volcanism; from 14–11 thousand BP (Lowell Geologic Unit 3) and since then without any break until today, due to continuous re-inforcement from terminal mor aines.

This volcanic activity cements the status of Montague Island as part of one larger island originally, which formed over time in a gradual eruption that ran concurrently with active volcanism on Prince Patrick and Northumberland Islands to its east, creating a volcano-stroma complex mixing fissural cannibalistic Quaternary eruptions (Lincoln Wells) and pillow lavas at Stratum F(West Basin) around four different sites.

Culture

The Montague Islander culture is based around seal hunting, seasonal fishing, and gardening. They also make use of traditional art forms such as qulliiche (a type of meadow doll). Their traditional name, Montague Islanders (Abron-haerak), reflects the Northumberland Strait’s preeminence among the island group.

There is a certain level of bilingualism on Maud—communication in English by adults, Kablunaitut Inuktitut and French by children. Among indigenous people who live relatively close to colonial settlers there were two main forms of communication: unilingual Canadian contact families; and “”linguistic islands””, communities where adult language preservation was already well advanced when Europeans arrived alongside a high proportion of direct heritage groups whose resources included the legacy of well-established bilingualism and a significant first language population.

[1] A linguistic island is an indigenous community that was surrounded by colonists who came to these lands as temporary visitors with no intention to settle. The European arrivals usually housed descendants in outlying establishments, such hawks nests as schools (textiles), Indian agent offices, mission stations and trading posts up until the beginning of colonization itself.

Politics

The Montague Islander have their own self-governing body, the Council of the Montague Islands. The Council works with Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to manage fisheries on behalf of the islanders.

Economy

Montague Island is a small Aboriginal community that depends predominantly on subsistence hunting, fishing and gathering for its economy. Traditional resources such as seal fur, halibut eggs, caribou meat and berries are still harvested in significant quantities. There has been some limited commercial development focused on tourism since 1990 but it is currently very limited due to the remote location.

There is only one hotel, The Montague Island Lodge, on Little St Paul and growing interest in oil exploration which could bring an increase in tourism during busy season when boats can stop at Little St Paul to hire out their services or wait for transportation by helicopter. Fishing rights are leased to a cooperative venture of four islanders as part of a government funded program initiated 1969 that covered all fisheries zones set aside under section 28(2)(a) (Resources Canada (RC)) Fisheries Act.

Government services

The Montague Island Inuit Community is served by a single health centre, staffed by two nurses and one doctor. There are no schools on the island but students commute to school on Little St Paul. The only store is operated by the community council and it stocks items like gasoline, propane, food and cigarettes.

Tourism

Limited tourism is available on the island, with visitors coming primarily for hunting and fishing. There are no hotel accommodations on Montague Island but there is a lodge that provides accommodation for visiting hunters and fishermen.

Conclusion

Montague Island is located in the eastern Georgian Bay, on the north shore of Lake Huron. The island is protected as a provincially significant wetland and bird sanctuary. The island has several notable attractions, including the Montague Island Lighthouse, a restored Fresnel lens lighthouse that is open to the public, and the Montague Island War Memorial, which commemorates the men and women of World War I.

FAQs

What Is The Climate Like On Montague Island?

The weather on Montague Island is generally mild and temperate. Winters are cold, with averages of around 0°C in January and February, but temperatures can drop below −10°C at night. Summers are warm, with average highs of 25°C during July and August.

Is There A Public Transport Service Available To Get To Montagu Island?

Yes, there is regular ferry service between Rainy River in Ontario and Whelan Point in Nova Scotia that takes about two hours each way.

What Are Some Of The Most Popular Things To Do On Montague Island?

Some of the most popular attractions on Montague Island include exploring the lighthouse and war memorial, bird watching, kayaking or boating in Lake Huron, hiking or mountain biking in nearby forests and provincial parks, and dining at one of the island’s many restaurants.

Is Montague Island Accessible For People With Disabilities?

Yes, the island is fully accessible for people with disabilities. There are designated routes throughout the park that include wheelchair-accessible trails and lift entries/exits.

What Kind Of Accommodation Is Available On Montague Island?

There are a few options for accommodation on the island. The most common type of accommodation is camping, which is available at several designated sites around the island. There are also several private cottages and villas that can be rented out seasonally.