North Sydney and Baddeck, Nova Scotia

July 21-23, 2016

Mi’kmaq Culture

We wanted to learn more about the Mi’kmaq communities and First Nation culture, and the Wagmatcook Culture and Heritage Center was nearby.  A brochure said “Mi’kmaq guides interpet their culture and traditions, and give a glimpse into the lives of their people, through the tales of the centuries”.  In our experience, not so much.  When we asked, someone started a DVD for us to watch.  There were no exhibits and we came away knowing little more than when we came in.

We hoped we would have better luck at another site and drove to Membertou Heritage Park.  Here we found interesting exhibits and a large gift shop featuring art and crafts by First Nation members.

             Membertou was a grand chief who was among the first natives to greet the Europeans.  He was baptized by the French in 1610.

Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site

This was a “who knew” place for us.  Who knew: (1) Bell was born in Scotland but lived most of his life in Canada, a lot of it near where the museum was built?  (2) He guided the first controlled powered flight in Canada?  (3)  His hydrofoil set a marine speed record?  (4)  He was an expert at sheep breeding?  (5)  A central interest of his life was education for people with deafness?  and (6) He was president of the National Geographic Society?  Many people probably know these things, but they were new to us.  Nice museum!

         Alexander Graham Bell’s house near Beddeck, Nova Scotia.

Kidston Island

This island in Bras D’or Lake is owned by the municipality of Baddeck and leased to the Lion’s Club which operates a 12-person ferry to the island–for donations.  We enjoyed a walk to the lighthouse, built in 1912, and were amused by a “no supervision” sign–it warned that the beach there was not guarded but made us wonder why supervision should be prohibited.

         Bras d’Or Lake

                         Kidston Island Light

The Baddeck Gathering Ceilidh

The ceilidh (kay-lee) the night we attended featured a fiddle player, a guitarist and a Gaelic singer.  The music was an excellent representation of the Celtic heritage of the area.

Campground Jam

Jane had a fun time playing in a campground jam–there were maybe 25 participants and 50 people in the audience.  Most people were unfamiliar with the mountain dulcimer, so Jane introduced it and offered a few tunes.  After the jam, she enjoyed talking with members of the audience who had questions.  Jane was surprised at the size of the jam, the size of the audience, and the fact that everyone in the circle had microphones and amplifiers.  [When it was Jane’s turn, the guitarist next to her was kind enough to lend her his mic.]