Was the object seen in the skies above Newfoundland a French missile launched from Brittany?

The rocket or missile that appeared in the sky over Newfoundland did not originate in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. Any reports claiming so are erroneous. The islands do not have any permanent military presence except for a small coast guard vessel. Lire la suite …

According to various sources, the French Government will no longer require valid Passports from Canadian citizens travelling directly from Canada to Saint-Pierre et Miquelon.

“En outre, les titulaires d’un document d’identité canadien en provenance directe du Canada sont dispensés de passeport et de visa pour un séjour à Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon n’excédant pas trois mois par période de six mois.” – Arrêté du 14 décembre 2009 relatif aux documents et visas exigés pour l’entrée des étrangers (… à) Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon

Saint-Pierre et Miquelon Travel Information : www.st-pierre-et-miquelon.com

The oldest North American Basque colony is located in the most unusual of places on this continent. To get there is almost as difficult for today’s modern traveller as it was for the Basque whalers and cod fishermen of the XVIth century.

Located fewer than twelve miles to the south of the Island of Newfoundland, in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic, Saint-Pierre et Miquelon is home to a unique mix of French citizens. The unofficial flag of the islands, which is often seen next to the tricolour, contains three symbols of French regionalism. Above the Norman standard, the Breton Gwan ha Du is the Ikurriña in all its splendour.

Lire la suite …

British journalist Rosie Millard and her family are currently touring France’s overseas territories starting with Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. You will find below a number of links to various blogs and sites. Enjoy this original look at our islands.

Official site: www.rosiemillard.com
Rosie Millard’s blog: rosie-millard.co.uk
More:  videos and more …

A new law (Article 58, 2009-594) was recently passed by France’s parliament to ease requirements for marriage between non-citizens on French soil. Read more at www.spm.org

The White Bird (L’Oiseau Blanc or The White Dove) was a French biplane which disappeared in 1927, during an attempt to make the first non-stop transatlantic flight between Paris and New York. The aircraft was flown by French aviation World War I heroes Charles Nungesser and François Coli, who were attempting to win the USD $25,000 Orteig Prize for the flight, but the plane disappeared after its May 8 takeoff from Paris. Two weeks later, Charles Lindbergh successfully made the New York–Paris journey and claimed the prize, flying The Spirit of St. Louis. – Source: Wikipedia

An expedition is currently in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon searching for the remnants of the White Bird.

Peter Mansbridge, of the National, reported on the Continental Shelf issue South of the islands of Saint-Pierre et Miquelon in a misleading and inflammatory manner (May 12, 2009 : 19:00 to 19:34). Using incorrect graphics, the newscaster displayed a complete lack of objectivity by qualifying the French claim as a “threat”. Such inflammatory rhetoric has no other purpose but to stir public opinion against the islands and France. Lire la suite …

Britain’s top economic and political magazine has just published an article about Saint-Pierre and Miquelon’s claim to the continental shelf.

Without the shadow of a doubt, the Economist invalidates Canada’s claim the issue was settled in 1992: “It (Canada) said, wrongly, that the matter had been settled by arbitration in 1992 and that it would – take all necessary measures to defend and protect its rights. – (Canada has until 2013 to file its claim.) In fact the 1992 decision fixed the maritime boundaries between Canada and the islands, and did not demarcate the continental shelf.”

Source: The Economist, May 7th 2009

Editorial. Having read the myriad of comments posted on various news websites, many have been shocked and dismayed by the hostile and aggressive nature of these postings. To all those advocating a “Canadian Anschluss” of the islands of St Pierre and Miquelon, or a more passive “absorption” of the islands into the canadian realm, may we suggest they do some reading on the concept of cultural genocide : the deliberate destruction of the cultural heritage of a people or nation for political, military (…) reasons.

We would also like to remind our readers that asking SPM to “join Canada” is as offensive to locals as asking Canadians to just give up on being who they are and just “join the USA”. It’s not just about borders, it’s about culture, language, heritage and history.