When we landed, we were met by Nain’s brass band. It was really cool because a lot of the songs they played, I have heard on recordings, and to hear it live and in person is something else. What a treat! And how often do you get greeted by a brass band? The band originally was derived from the Moravian church that came to the community to teach them about the Moravian religion. According to the residents of Nain, these people would not only help counsel people in their problems and guide them through their religious beliefs, but also help with certain laws and ensured that the community got along and ran smoothly. In the olden days, the brass band would practice no matter how harsh the weather. No matter what they would always practice and made it a habit, a weekly tradition to travel round town and play music, so everyone can enjoy the sound of brass. Today the brass band is having a revival since it died for many years after the Moravian church left. Now the community is too spread out so they do their brass band concerts in the church or in more common areas of the community rather than walking around. It’s great to see that they’re bringing the brass band traditions back. I also learned that just like in Hopedale, the Moravian ministers have left their people here after the RCMP and the government came to the region. A little history lesson from what I understand: earlier in the 20th century, when the residential schools came into being, RCMP and government officials came to these small communities to enforce laws and ensure that the people would send their children to the residential schools. When that happened, Moravian missionaries left since many of the roles that they once played, such as helping run things, were now being done by the RCMP and the federal government. These were dark times for the people in these Northern communities just like in Nain. Even today after the residential schools have closed, the people in Nain along with other communities such as Hopedale have been asking the Moravian church ministers to come back. But since there is no money, the Moravian church ministers have not returned, and so each community is doing the best they can to practice the religion and to run services despite not having a minister. There are people in the community who have stepped up and volunteered to do the duties that were once done by the minister. It’s amazing how people in the north find ways to thrive and to do what is needed despite not having ideal situations or lack of resources and support.

https://theworldoftone.wordpress.com/2017/07/29/day-12-nain/

Today I learned more about participant Sherwyn Solomon and his love of being a school principal. He explained how he didn’t like teacher school so much, but despite it all has become a very good educator. It is evident in the way he explains things and the joy he has when talking about helping students learn and solve their life problems. I experienced Sherwyn’s love of learning first hand when he was showing me the different things encountered on our journey. His enthusiasm and his constant upbeat nature helps keep our energy up when we are deprived of sleep.

Tony chats with crewmate  Adam van Koeverden, the Canadian Olympian for men’s canoeing. You wouldn’t have guessed he was an Olympian and brought back so many metals over 3 Olympics because he never talks about it. He’s a guy who is very considerate and observant. He knows not to baby me or try to flood my mind with too much information when we are hiking or doing something that might be difficult for a person with no sight. He finds ways to only give information I need and lets me fall and learn on my own what I should and shouldn’t do. He’s a great travelling companion and always does his best to help people out.

I met up with archaeologist Kayley Sherrett and I had to opportunity to interview her. She took us around town, which was absolutely amazing! I got to meet so many people from Rigolet and check out all the exhibits within both of their museums, and I mean really check them out; Kayley and the workers there let me feel and touch everything in the museums. We first went to the Lord Strathcona House, where I got to touch things like old soy machines, Hudson’s Bay blankets and wooden dolls that were carved. Those are just some of the many things that I got to interact with there. From there, Kaylee took me to the second museum which was an old Hudson’s Bay Company Outpost building called the NetLoft where we could touch more artifacts.

https://theworldoftone.wordpress.com/2017/07/24/day-9-rigolet/

My last experience on Fogo Island was meeting Janice Thompson and Tony Cobb. Tony is Zita Cobb’s brother and they run an organization, called Fogo Island Fish, which is a social business which promotes hand fishing of cod. This is the equivalent of let’s say, free range cattle, but instead, the cod are caught by hand by fisherman and the fishermen are paid double the market price and can make a living out of it. They are just not allowed to catch huge numbers, and these fish are then sent to high quality, renowned restaurants in Toronto and other parts of Canada and sold for a high price because the fish are killed quickly, bled and frozen right away so that it yields better flesh. The flesh is more firm and white and free of imperfections that can be found in mass produced fish. The organization’s goal is to help the economy grow and provide a beacon of hope and an example for the out port communities in Newfoundland so that they don’t become extinct. It’s sad to note that some places that rely heavily on fishing have now dwindled to low populations because no one can find work, and the only people left in those communities are elders. This is a common issue throughout Newfoundland, and Fogo Island is doing its best to survive and thrive by using its art and the Shorefast Society’s business ventures.

On Fogo Island, we met Zita Cobb, who is the founder of the Shorefast organization, which consists of the Fogo Island Inn, the Fogo Island furniture store, and also the Fogo arts studios. Her initiative is to bring back economy to the islands so that they can survive and thrive. The population at Fogo Island has dwindled down to three thousand in the last few years due to lack of economy and opportunities for them to thrive. This organization helps to preserve the culture of the island and helps bring business and raise the economy so residents can continue to survive, and hopefully build a future for the young people to stay there and have work, rather than having them move away. It was very interesting to visit the Inn. Everything in the Inn is built and run by locals and the furniture was built by locals. They offered us a lot of great local food, showed us a good time, and promoted their social business and how it’s important to preserve their culture.