Publications
Strangers at Home: Imperial Landscape and Contested Places in Literature about Nova Scotia
Literature by marginalized communities in Nova Scotia—Gaélique, Black, Acadian, and Mi’kmaw authors—challenges the province's romanticized 'Maritime Paradise' narrative by reclaiming contested landscapes through creative works. This study reveals how five authors (Alistair MacLeod, Sylvia D. Hamilton, George Elliott Clarke, Serge Patrice Thibodeau, shalan joudry) subvert imperial erasure of displacement and violence, forging unique cultural connections to place. Using theories of landscape from Doreen Massey, Tim Cresswell, and W. J. T. Mitchell, the analysis demonstrates that their works resist assimilation while centering Indigenous and diasporic perspectives in Nova Scotia's contested history.
Idyll and Industry: Rethinking the Environmental History of Grand Pré, Nova Scotia
Grand Pré, Nova Scotia, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its Acadian farming heritage, is part of a dual narrative that includes both idyllic pastoral imagery and industrial agricultural practices. The site's transformation from a traditional farming settlement into an intensive rural development hub, driven by ambitions to make the Annapolis Valley 'the Orchard of the Empire,' has profoundly shaped Nova Scotia's physical, ecological, and economic landscape. This essay challenges the romanticized view of Grand Pré, highlighting its role in modern agriculture and tourism while emphasizing the need for sustainable alternatives. By recognizing both histories—pre-industrial Acadian settlement and subsequent industrial practices—the study offers a nuanced perspective on the site's ecological costs and economic realities.
World Heritage, Tourism Destination and Agricultural Heritage Landscape: The Case of Grand Pré, Nova Scotia, Canada
Grand Pré, Nova Scotia, stands as a globally significant agricultural heritage landscape and UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS), recognized for its fertile land and deep historical narrative tied to the Acadian Deportation of 1755. Despite high expectations that WHS designation would bolster tourism and economic sustainability, recent analysis reveals a dual challenge: declining agriculture and waning tourist interest. This study critically examines whether the WHS status will serve as an effective catalyst for Grand Pré's long-term viability. By synthesizing existing research, it questions the assumptions surrounding the economic benefits of WHS recognition, offering insights into the complex interplay between heritage preservation, agricultural change, and tourism dynamics in this iconic region.
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