Madeline M.

Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

Tri-County Regional Heritage Fair

Sea Monsters of Canada

Strange water monsters have been reported throughout Canada's history, from our First Nations Peoples, to early explorers, and even up to today. My project looks at what these stories can tell us about our history, culture and environment.

 

 

What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?

Stories of lake and sea monsters exist in every province in Canada. Water serpent stories of the Mi'Kmaq in Nova Scotia are similar to First Nations People in Alberta. It makes me think these stories might be true.

What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?

We are losing species to climate change and plastics in our water. It is important to study historical stories of sea monsters, because it helps us understand what people long ago thought about life in and on the water. They can help us understand how the climate is changing.

How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?

For people living long ago, myths and legends were real. They might describe a strange creature as a monster, where today we know it might be an undiscovered animal. This does not mean we are smarter, but we just look at the world differently.