In the mid-16th century, just over a thousand Basque sailors were sailing off the coast of Labrador to hunt whales. Among these Basques from New France, many settled on the small French archipelago of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon. Today, the Basque heritage is particularly evident there: one-third of the population now has a Basque last name. Every year, the Basque Festival is celebrated there. It’s an opportunity to enjoy the dances of the Orok-Bat association, games of paleta gomme pleine and Basque strength competitions, or the traditional community dance on the Zazpiak Bat cancha. Some 6,000 kilometers from the Basque Country, Basque heritage is very much alive, thanks to the community involvement of many volunteers.
For more information: Mario Mimeault, (2011). *Destins de pêcheurs. Les Basques en Nouvelle-France*, Éditions Septentrion
La Première Report: The 8th Province: From Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon to San Sebastián, the Basque Legacy
The Orok-Bat Association: https://www.facebook.com/orokbat.orokbat
