You won't believe what's happening to our old cemeteries
Good morning from the Atlantic — three provinces, five communities, and the stories that cross every border. Now look, I've seen some shocking things covering the Maritimes, from the endless debates about the Confederation Bridge tolls to the never-ending dance of lobster prices. But there’s a quiet, heartbreaking story bubbling up from the shores of Prince Edward Island that really puts a knot in your stomach: our oldest cemeteries are literally being swallowed by the sea.
This isn't just about erosion; it’s about history, about family, and about respect for the dead. We're talking about burial grounds that date back over two centuries, where the first settlers and generations of Islanders found their final rest. Imagine walking along the coast near Point Prim, or up by the North Rustico shore, and seeing tombstones teetering on the edge, or even worse, falling into the Gulf. It's not just a few scattered stones; these are established, historic sites. It's a profound loss, not just for the families, but for the whole fabric of what makes PEI, well, PEI.
### What This Means for Charlottetown
Even though many of these affected cemeteries are in coastal communities outside the immediate city limits, this issue ripples right into Charlottetown. Why?
* **Our Shared Heritage:** These aren't isolated stories. They're part of the collective history of the Island, the very history that Charlottetown proudly proclaims as the Birthplace of Confederation. When a piece of that history is lost, we all feel it. * **A Call to Action:** It forces us to confront the realities of climate change and coastal erosion, issues that are pressing across the whole Island. What’s happening to these cemeteries today could be happening to waterfront properties or historic buildings in Charlottetown tomorrow. * **Community Identity:** For many Charlottetown residents, their roots run deep into these smaller coastal communities. Their ancestors might be buried in these very grounds. It's a personal blow.
It makes you wonder, doesn't it? As the land erodes, so too does a piece of our past. It's a stark reminder that even on our gentle Island, the forces of nature are always at work, and sometimes, they take back what was once given.
Bridget Chicken-MacPhail, MiTL Sports Desk, Charlottetown.
My cousin Sheila and the gang on "Island Mornings" are probably spinning yarns about this right now — catch 'em live at mornings.live.