SABLE ISLAND, THE ACADIAN CONNECTION: With Lennie Gallant and Patricia Richard

Sable Island The Acadian Connection - with singer-songwriters Lennie Gallant and Patricia Richard

Visit via helicopter

During the expulsion of the Acadians from Nova Scotia and PEI , church bells were sometimes buried to prevent them from being taken away in the hope they would still be there, if someday, somehow, the inhabitants might return. The story of the Acadian ponies of Sable Island is a story that also remained somewhat buried until more recent years. The horses are believed by historians to have descended from those seized by the British during the Expulsion of the Acadians between 1755 and 1764. Thomas Hancock, a Boston merchant and shipowner, was paid to transport the expelled and suddenly impoverished Acadians to American shores. Hancock either bought or helped himself to some of the horses lost by the Acadians during that terrible event, and is thought to have transported the horses to Sable Island where they might later be harvested and sold. They were eventually left to make do for themselves and have survived there for over two and a half centuries basically on their own. Lennie Gallant and partner Patricia Richard are well known songwriters in both English and French markets. They are both very interested in their Acadian ancestry and have long dreamed of visiting Sable Island and the Acadian ponies. To actually perform songs there that reflect the story of these remarkable creatures is an opportunity they are very excited about.’ We hope some you will join us for what is sure to be a unique and moving experience on this Island with these amazing horses. In a way, they are kind of a symbol of the Acadian story in their resilience and proud self preservation. We can’t wait to honour them with our songs on this special visit!” - Lennie Gallant

Expedition overview

As a licensed Parks Canada tour company, we are proud to offer an experience of a lifetime. An opportunity to visit Sable Island National Park in a single day.  With it's stunning, ever changing sand dunes, hundreds of wild horses and the largest grey seal colony in the world, this will be a trip that you'll remember for the rest of your life.

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On this full day expedition we will be travelling by twin-engine, Sikorsky S-76 A++ offshore helicopter. The aircraft itself is an adventure and with it's agility and ability to fly great distances in a variety of conditions, it is the perfect vehicle to ensure your trip to Sable Island is a successful one. The helicopter will land on the helipad and does not require specific beach landing conditions.

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Our expedition starts at Vision Air Services located at the Halifax International airport. Upon arrival you'll be greeted by your guide and pilots. After completing the island's pre-boarding biosecurity process and receiving a safety orientation, we'll board the  aircraft, a 1.25 hour flight has us landing on the helipad at Sable Island NPR.  After an introduction to the island by Parks Canada staff, your Kattuk Expeditions guide will lead a hike along the beaches and dunes to the areas most frequented by the island's horses and seals. A delicious picnic lunch is included and prepared by your guide.  After lunch we we continue our hike to other areas of the island. When the hike concludes we'll gather at main station and prepare for our departure back to the mainland.

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Whenever possible, we'll visit with researcher Zoe Lucas, head of the Sable Island Institute. In order to lend our support to the research taking place on the island, a portion of your tour cost goes to the Institute.

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Trip highlights

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• Return 300km helicopter flight to Sable Island National Park Reserve from Halifax
• Meeting with Zoe Lucas from the Sable Island Institute (whenever possible)
• Orientation by Parks Canada
• 6-8 hours of guided walking and exploration by fully equipped Kattuk Expeditions guide
• Visits to the many grazing areas of the island's wild horses
• Delicious picnic lunch
• Guided walk will include the main station and some outbuildings (exterior), the areas most frequented by horses and Grey Seal colony
• Insight into daily life on the island