Things to do in Eskasoni, Cape Breton

Eskasoni First Nation sits on the south shore of East Bay, where the water opens into the Bras d'Or Lake — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is the largest Mi'kmaw community in Nova Scotia and, by most accounts, the largest Mi'kmaw-speaking community in the world. Walking through the community, you'll hear Mi'kmaw in conversation, in stores, between neighbours — not as a performance, but as the living language of daily life.

The main draw for visitors is Eskasoni Cultural Journeys, which runs guided tours on Goat Island where local basket weavers, drummers, and storytellers share their traditions in traditional wigwams. It's one of the more genuine cultural experiences available anywhere in Atlantic Canada. The Eskasoni Mawio'mi (Powwow) draws visitors each summer to the Eskasoni Powwow Grounds and is worth timing your trip around if you can.

The shoreline here is quieter than the better-known stretches of the Bras d'Or, and that's part of the appeal. Come in summer for the powwow or a cultural tour; the drive from Sydney takes under an hour.