Prince Edward Island, PEI for short, first residents were the Mi’kmaq. The Mi’kmaq first lived here about 2000 years ago and called the Island ‘Epekwitk’, meaning “resting on the waves”.

French explorers were the first Europeans to visit and settle the Island. Jacques Cartier described the Island as “…the fairest land ’tis possible to see!” The French called the Island “Île Saint-Jean.’ To the British, who later occupied the area, the Island was known as ‘St. John’s Island.’ The Island was renamed in 1799 as ‘Prince Edward Island’ in honor of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, the father of Queen Victoria.