This alternate timeline takes a look at if a Norse presence existed in Newfoundland and Labrador up to the modern day.
999 A.D. - 1497 A.D.
Norse settlement of Vinland (Newfoundland) begins. The native Beothuk inhabitants are eventually killed off through disease & warfare. Norse from Vinland begin setting up trading posts and colonies on the Markland coast (Labrador). Deforestation in Greenland spurs a North Atlantic Triangle trade between Greenland, Vinland and Markland. Trees from Markland are sent to Greenland, Settlers from Greenland continually flow to Vinland and fish from Vinland are sent to the Markland colonies. As a result from the Little Ice Age Greenland is eventually abandoned. Greenlanders resettle in Vinland and Markland.
1497 A.D. - 1763 A.D.
John Cabot rediscovers Vinland. He finds a complex fuedal society on the island. France follows England's lead making simular land claims in North America. Vinland finds itself under the domain of England while France controls the Markland coast. The French reinforce the Catholic tradition already practiced in Markland. However, England sucessfully brings the reformation to Vinland.
1763 A.D. - Present
During the 7 Years War Catholic Marklanders fight Protestant Vinlanders in the North Atlantic theatre. Britain inevitably wins the 7 Years War and Markland is consolidated into Vinland as a dependency. Vinland and Markland form the British Dominion or Vinland. The language of Vinland and Markland is today called in English "Canadian Norse." It is a West Scandinavian language with a Vinlandic Dialect and a Marklandic Dialect. The Dominion of Vinland seeking its own independence doesn't join Canadian Confederation. Vinlanders fight for Great Britain during World War I. During the Great Depression independance is put up for a vote. Confederation with Canada wins the referendum as it's seen as the more economically & millitarilly prudent decision. Seeing how the United States occupied Iceland and Greenland during World War II many Vinlanders are weary of American agression if Vinland would vote for Independence. The Dominion of Vinland joins Canada as the Province of Vinland and Markland (Canadian Norse: Vínland ok Myrkland) in 1949. The population of Vinland and Markland today is a little more than 500,000 and Canadian Norse is the official language of the Province.
[Flag of the British Dominion of Vinland 1907-1980]
[Flag of the Canadian Province of Vinland and Markland 1980-]
[Language map of Canada today]
