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LOUISBOURG, NS — While family-friendly activities abounded on the grounds of the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site on Sunday, Dion Bernard caught the attention of some visitors when he quietly recited from a book of Mi’kmaw poetry by Rita Joe.
For Bernard of Eskasoni, the late Mi’kmaw elder and author, the words and emotions depicted in her works have proven inspirational to people of Indigenous descent and beyond.
Dion Bernard von Eskasoni, right, reads a poem by Rita Joe to a few visitors at the Fortress of Louisbourg on Sunday afternoon. IAN NATHANSON/CAPE BRETON POST
“She was a person who showed that education is not a bad thing,” said Bernard at the fort’s Mi’kmaw Interpretive Center. “And the nature of people is that they have power – but only if you show it. It’s up to you as a person to be open about who you are. You can learn the language and tell people who you are as a person.
“In her poem ‘I Lost My Talk’ she illustrated how she had arranged for the Shubenacadie Residential School to take her talk away from her. But over time, she regained her speech and was able to tell people who she was as a person.”
Bernard’s mention of We’koqma’q-born Rita Joe, who died in 2007, comes as this year’s Memorial Day celebrations honor her life and work. Among the many tributes was one on Sunday night in Eskasoni, where the Nova Scotia The Junior Hockey League’s Eskasoni Eagles paid tribute to her during their game as the host of the Strait Pirates.
Nadine Neima-Drover, Fortress of Louisbourg Visitor Experience Product Development Officer: “Many people mistake us for a busy French colonial city in the summer
First public winter meeting since 2020
Established in 2015, Heritage Day – which takes place on the third Monday in February every year – was considered an annual public holiday to honor the remarkable people and places that contributed to it Nova Scotia’s story.
But it can also include a way for families to gather for a day of culture and activities — and that’s where Fortress Louisbourg comes in, said Nadine Neima-Drover, product development officer for Fortress visitor experiences.
“We don’t have a lot of special events in the winter,” she said. “It’s our off-season so we thought this would be a great way to honor and celebrate the legacy of Nova Scotia.
Tyler Fraser, 5, of Sydney, left, roasts a marshmallow at a fire pit in the Louisbourg Fortress grounds while parents James and Nicole Fraser watch the progress. IAN NATHANSON/CAPE BRETON POST
The opening of the Fortress of Louisbourg to the public on a Sunday between noon and 4 p.m. also allows families or individuals to take a break or participate in other Heritage Day activities taking place Monday in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality area .
“It’s like a free family day,” Neima-Drover said, “whether you have kids, you’re a couple or a group of friends, there are different activities that have something for everyone and help break the routines of winter.” .
Neima-Drover pointed out that there may not be much awareness that the fort is actually open Monday through Friday during the winter months. It may not be as noticeable when visitors pass through the main entrance to the visitor center and see that the gate and shuttle bus route entrance are closed.
“A lot of people think of us as a busy French colonial city in the summer,” she said. “But even in winter you can go for a walk on the site.”
On Sunday, the Louisbourg Fortress grounds were open to the public for four hours and included activities such as tobogganing in front of King’s Bastion. IAN NATHANSON/CAPE BRETON POST
Almost 500 visitors come
And nearly 500 visitors did just that on Sunday, which was in line with Neima-Drover’s expectations.
Some buildings opened up to include a virtual reality display, a feature that pays tribute to Black History Month and honors Rita Joe and Mi’kmaw’s strong connection to the Stronghold. Outside of King’s Bastion there was enough snow and ice for children and adults to slide down a toboggan.
Patrons of the Storehouse Tavern gather for a drink and chat in the Fortress of Louisbourg on Sunday afternoons. IAN NATHANSON/CAPE BRETON POST
In addition to an on-site BeaverTails diner, a fire pit was set up for young and old to roast marshmallows outdoors, and the Storehouse Tavern was opened to hot chocolate lovers and has space to sit inside and play a few available board games.
“We definitely wanted to be a welcoming and open place for people to come,” said Neima-Drover.
This included a number of volunteers – such as Carl and Kay Kanne of New Waterford – who donned 18th-century clothing as part of the fort experience.
Carl and Kay Kanne from New Waterford in 18th-century costume: “It’s great to see people coming here at this time of year,” said Carl. IAN NATHANSON/CAPE BRETON POST
“We usually see visitors in the summer, so it’s great to see visitors here at this time of year,” said Carl Kanne.
Kay added, “Especially after COVID-19 halted this event for a couple of years. Today (Sunday) I would definitely say it was a good day.”
Source: www.saltwire.com
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