PRE-COLONIZATION – EARLY SETTLEMENT IN NOVA SCOTIA
The pre-colonization and early settlement period of Nova Scotia spans from before the 1600s to the 1700s, a time characterized by Indigenous occupancy, European exploration, and initial settlement efforts.
PRE-COLONIZATION
Before European contact, the area now known as Nova Scotia was primarily inhabited by the Mi’kmaq people. They were part of the larger Algonquin-speaking peoples and had a well-established presence throughout what is now Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and parts of New Brunswick and the Gaspé Peninsula. The Mi’kmaq lived in a seasonal migration pattern, moving between coastal regions in the summer for fishing and inland areas in the winter for hunting.
EUROPEAN EXPLORATION

The late 15th and early 16th centuries marked the beginning of European exploration in the region. John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto), an Italian explorer under the commission of England’s King Henry VII, is believed to have reached the Nova Scotian shores in 1497, though the exact location of his landing is debated.
FRENCH SETTLEMENT
The first European attempt at year-round settlement in Nova Scotia was made by the French. In 1604, Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons, along with Samuel de Champlain and others, established a settlement at Île-Saint-Croix. The harsh winter and scurvy led them to relocate, and in 1605, they moved to what is now Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, then called Port-Royal. This marked the establishment of the first successful European settlement in North America north of Florida.
ACADIAN PERIOD
The early 17th century saw the growth of Acadian settlements. The Acadians were French colonists who cultivated the land, creating a unique dike system for farming, particularly in the fertile Annapolis Valley. They established a peaceful coexistence with the Mi’kmaq and developed a distinct culture and community in the region.
BRITISH CONQUEST
The region became a battleground for European powers, primarily England and France, in their struggle for supremacy in North America. The Treaty of Utrecht (1713) ceded Acadia to the British, but the boundaries were poorly defined, leading to ongoing disputes. The British renamed the area Nova Scotia. The mid-18th century was marked by significant conflict, culminating in the Expulsion of the Acadians (1755-1764), a tragic event in which thousands of Acadians were forcibly removed by the British.
EARLY SETTLEMENT DYNAMICS

Throughout this period, real estate development was fundamentally different from contemporary practices. It was primarily about survival, establishing basic settlements, and exploiting natural resources. The European settlers had to adapt to a new environment, often relying on Indigenous knowledge and techniques for navigation, hunting, and winter survival.
In conclusion, the pre-colonization to early settlement period in Nova Scotia was a complex era of Indigenous occupancy, European exploration, and colonial endeavors. It set the stage for the cultural, social, and political dynamics that would continue to shape the province in the centuries to come.