Myth, Memory and Militarization: A Case of Selective Amnesia at Grand-Pré, Nova Scotia

Selective historical memory plays a pivotal role in the construction of national identity, as demonstrated by the case of Grand-Pré, Nova Scotia. This study reveals how militarization and myth-making have contributed to a form of collective amnesia, distorting the site's history and its significance within Canadian heritage narratives. By analyzing cultural representations, historical records, and public discourse, the research exposes how certain aspects of Grand-Pré’s past—particularly those tied to conflict or displacement—have been systematically marginalized or forgotten, reinforcing dominant national myths while erasing alternative histories. The findings underscore the political dimensions of memory, challenging simplistic narratives of heritage preservation and nation-building.

Fowler, J. (2017). Myth, Memory and Militarization: A Case of Selective Amnesia at Grand-Pré, Nova Scotia. Anthropology Now, 9(2), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.1080/19428200.2017.1337961