Shubenacadie (['ʃuːbə'nækədiː]) is a community located in Hants County, in central Nova Scotia, Canada. As of 2006, the population was 2,074.
In the Micmac language, Shubenacadie (or Sipekne'katik) means "abounding in ground nuts" or "place where the red potato (i.e. Indian potato, Sagittaria latifolia) grows."[1] -->
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Shubenacadie is connected to the Minas Basin by the Shubenacadie River which experiences a tidal bore on each incoming high tide; this area of Nova Scotia is recognized for having the world's highest tides. There are several companies in nearby Maitland where individuals can hire boats and guides to travel the tidal bore up the Shubenacadie River during the summer months.
The provincial Department of Natural Resources operates a helibase and forest fire fighting equipment depot in nearby Shubenacadie East. DNR also operates the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park at this property. Ducks Unlimited and DNR also operate the Greenwing Legacy Interpretive Centre on the property.[2] The wildlife park houses animals native to Nova Scotia, including black bears and moose, as well as several non-native species, including deer, and cougar. There are also several Sable Island Ponies. School programs are offered throughout the year, and interpretive programs are ongoing throughout the summer months. Shubenacadie Sam is a popular attraction around Groundhog Day when the rodent provides "projections" for the arrival of spring.
The community of Shubenacadie has a small museum called the Tin Smith Shop.[3] Dating back to the early 1890s, the building was used continuously as a milk can fabrication facility and hardware store until 2000. Its late owner Harry Smith left the property to the community. It converted the building to a museum. The museum features:
The Atlantic Motorsport Park is located in North Salem, approximately 11 kilometres northwest of Shubenacadie.[4] It is one of North America's only full-time road racing tracks that is owned and operated completely by volunteers.
Shubenacadie was the location of a Canadian residential school that was operated from 1923 to 1967 by two Roman Catholic orders, the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul and the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. This was the only Indian residential school in Atlantic Canada. The school building was destroyed in a fire in 1986 and today the property has been adapted for the Scotia Plastics factory.