Pointing Northeast

POINTING NORTHEAST POINTING NORTHEAST Shaping Our Future The Annual Newsletter of the Quebec-Labrador Foundation Canada QLF’s Leadership Program (Interns and Volunteers) May 2009

“It’s wonderful to see all the QLF Volunteers and Interns – it’s like the old days when we looked forward to the American students coming here and The Quebec-Labrador Foundation spending their summers with us.” - Resident of Blanc-Sablon, Quebec. (QLF) exists to support the rural QLF’s Leadership Program began with founder Ven. Robert A. Bryan’s youth Programs on the Coast in the early 1960s, making it QLF’s longest- communities and environment of running Program. It now exists to inspire and equip young people to become tomorrow’s conservation leaders. It offers meaningful work experiences in a wide range of areas associated with our community-based natural and cultural heritage. eastern Canada and New England and to create models for stewardship of natural Last summer, twenty-four students from Canada, the United States, and France worked on a number of QLF Programs from Cartwright, Labrador to Kegaska, Quebec. Interns were sponsored by Princeton University, Brooks School, Ducks Unlimited, the Harrington Harbour Recreation resources and cultural heritage that can be applied Committee, Conservation Corps of Newfoundland and Labrador, Young Canada Works, and Services Canada. From teaching swimming lessons, collecting research data on the common eider duck, working with fishers on the recovery of species at risk, celebrating the history of the Coast, worldwide. to educating children about the important role science plays in their lives, these young people touched and were moved by many on the “Coast.” We work across borders to link community, culture, and conservation. Our programs aim to ensure continuity by fostering leadership “When I leave, I know I’ll be taking away with me some of the best experiences of my life,” commented Tara Despault, QLF Intern (2008), based in development and taking a community-based approach. Blanc-Sablon, Quebec and Cartwright, Labrador.

“This trip has been a life changing experience for me and I have been privi- Crossroads: The Five leged to be a part of it,” enthused Spencer Weisner, a second generation QLF volunteer based in St. Paul’s River, Quebec, 2008. Cultures of Bonne

Each volunteer and intern left this summer a different person as the Esperance, Quebec result of their placements with QLF. The QLF intern and volunteer blog, QLF and the Bonne Esperance initiated last summer by volunteer Kendrick Wilson, provides narratives Tourism Development Foundation

of each student’s experience. Read about all the experiences at are excited to announce the Simon Laguë Map by Photograph by Patricia Nash Patricia by Photograph www.QLF.org/leadership/intern_blogV2.htm grand opening of the Middle Bay QLF staff meet volunteers and interns on the wharf in Blanc-Sablon Interpretation Centre on the Lower QLF’S MAIN PROJECTS/PROGRAMS following a two-day boat ride down the Coast from Sept-Iles on the Relais During fall 2008 and winter 2009, there were five interns and volunteers North Shore, Quebec, set for June IN CANADA IN 2009 Nordik cargo vessel. placed in the Montreal office and one intern in the Magdalen Islands, 2009. With more than a year’s work Quebec. They worked on projects ranging from heritage interpretation on the Lower North Shore, Quebec to marine conservation in the Middle invested in preparing the exhibit, COMMUNITY-BASED CONSERVATION there are a variety of unique East. QLF positions are offered year-round, with most running during summer months. Open positions are posted on our web site on an on- Marine Species at Risk Program (MSAR) going basis. To learn more, please visit www.QLF.org artefacts, interpretive panels and (Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador) special features that link 9,000 Etheridge Serena by Photograph Discover Science Summer Day Camps (Quebec) years of history and heritage. Visitors can expect to discover many Down to Earth Radio Show Ducks Unlimited Common Eider Duck Research Initiative Scholarship Program fascinating facts, images, and stories about the Innu, Inuit, Basque, (Newfoundland and Labrador) French, and English, and how each culture adapted to the landscapes Greenly Island Ecotourism Feasibility Study (Quebec) Congratulations to all students in Atlantic Canada who received scholarships this year. of the Bonne Esperance, Quebec region. The Centre also includes Quebec Commercial Fish Harvester’s Guide to Government Vanessa Newcombe was the Robert A. Bryan scholarship recipient this year and is now a a Settler Exhibit, themed craft shop, café, and media room for both Services and Support Organizations (Quebec) fully-trained fisheries officer. The scholarship enabled Vanessa to travel across Canada as residents and visitors to enjoy. North American Sea Duck Conference (Quebec) part of her training. She is now posted in Iqualuit, Nunavut, in Northern Canada. Vanessa Rivers Canada Foundation (Canada) extends her gratitude to QLF for helping her to achieve her life-long goal. A brochure for the Centre is now in circulation, and an upcoming web site (www.middlebay9000.com) will provide a glimpse of the CULTURE AND HERITAGE The Rev. Dr. Patricia (Peacock) Bryan, who ran QLF’s Scholarship Program and spearheaded exciting history to be explored at the Middle Bay Interpretation Centre Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership a “fun run fundraiser” over the past few years, retired in February 2009. She will continue and surrounding region! (Quebec, New York and Vermont) to stay involved with many aspects of QLF, while carrying out her responsibilities as an Cow Head Interpretation Project (Newfoundland) ordained Anglican Minister in the Eastern Townships, Quebec. GIS Support to Heritage Organizations (Newfoundland and Labrador) QLF CANADA www.QLF.org Heritage Rivers Conference 2009 (Ontario and Quebec) We thank Patricia for her dedication to this Program and wish her a fulfilling retirement. 901-505 René-Lévesque Blvd West, Montreal QC, H2Z 1Y7 Innu Banner Project (Labrador) Photograph by Nancy by Jones Photograph Tel.: 514.395.6020 Fax: 514.395.4505 Land of First Contact Online Historical Atlas Tara Despault, QLF Intern, hosts QLF’s weekly [email protected] (Newfoundland and Labrador) conservation-themed “Down to Earth” program on QLF Accepts Online Donations FIELD DESKS Middle Bay Interpretation Centre (Quebec) CFBS radio in Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon. You can Northern Tourism Partnership (Newfoundland) now listen to CFBS online at www.cfbsradio.com Trish Nash, Senior Biologist You can now donate to QLF more easily, through PayPal, an online payment Sophia Foley, Co-ordinator, MSAR Serena Etheridge, Director, TSN Seal Fishery Heritage Interpretation (Quebec) service. It’s simple and secure. Just go to www.QLF.org and click “Support Us.” P.O. Box 495, Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon QC P.O. Box 456, L’Anse au Clair NL St. Augustine Exhibit (Quebec) Thank you, in advance, for your generous support of QLF. Contributors G0G 1W0 A0K 3K0 Traditional Skills Network (TSN) (Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador) Fax: 418.461.3691 Tel./Fax: 709.931.2291 Writers: Adrienne Blattel, Candace Cochrane, Serena Etheridge, Trail Mapping along the Viking Trail (Newfoundland and Labrador) Sophia Foley, Danielle Lewchuk, and Patricia Nash [email protected] Tel.: 418.461.3427 [email protected] [email protected] Tel.: 418.461.3691 Tourism Asset Mapping (Labrador) French Translation: Christine Diguer Graphic Design: Simon Laguë and Christine Diguer Pointing Northeast is available in both print and electronic format. To join LEADERSHIP PROGRAM Printing: RAM Printing either distribution list, please e-mail us at [email protected]. Interns and Volunteers (Eastern Canada) PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH AND LET US KNOW IF YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION CHANGES. Scholarship Program (Eastern Canada) The Annual Newsletter of the Quebec-Labrador Foundation Canada 4 May 2009 © 2009 Quebec-Labrador Foundation POINTING NORTHEAST POINTING NORTHEAST Community-based Conservation Culture and Heritage The Marine Species at Risk Program Expands Interpreting the History of the Seal (again!) to the Magdalen Islands Fishery on the Quebec Lower North Shore

Over the last year, QLF staff were busy working with many community partners on three During the 19th century, the settlers of La Tabatière, Quebec and regional Marine Species at Risk projects. Four years ago, this Program was initiated on the neighbouring villages of the Lower North Shore, Quebec perfected the Quebec Lower North Shore. In 2006, the geographic scope increased to include Southern technique of fishing for seals using nets. The seal fishery was the main Labrador and Western Newfoundland. This year, the Magdalen Islands (located in the Gulf of source of income for many villages, providing seal oil and pelts for sale, St. Lawrence) became part of the Program. meat for local consumption, and food for sled dogs. This practice ended in the 1980s. A new initiative funded by Canadian Heritage and Air Labrador The MSAR Program includes public education and outreach, reducing the impacts of accidental allowed Mecatina School, Association touristique Gros Mecatina, the catch in fishing gear and documenting MSAR sightings information. Through this Program, Municipality of Gros Mecatina, Blue Metropolis Foundation, and QLF to

information is collected about the fourteen species designated as “at risk” in the Gulf and Nash Patricia by Photograph Seal fishermen with barrels of seal oil, La Tabatière, Quebec. partner together to preserve and interpret this important historic practice the Collection of Sharon from Photograph QLF Canada Chubbs-Ransom, Director, Atlantic Ocean. These animals include cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), sea turtles, (Early 20th century) This Ivory Gull, considered an endangered species through interpretation panels, a booklet, and a podcast. sharks, wolffish, ivory gulls, and polar bears. in Canada, was reported by an observer in Pinware, Labrador. Very little is known about where ivory Observers are key to the success of the Program. They are fishers, marine tour operators, gulls spend their winters. To learn more, QLF staff A New National Heritage Area The Land of First Contact: Online Historical marine transport (ferries and cargo ships) staff, sealers, and hunters. These volunteers are working with residents on Quebec’s Lower document and report information about their MSAR observations. Observers can be found North Shore, Newfoundland’s Northern Peninsula, Around Lake Champlain Atlas, Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence as far north as Cartwright, Labrador and south to Anticosti Island, Quebec. The information and in Labrador to properly identify and report collected by observers each year is assembled into a database, analyzed, and shared with sightings of this rare gull. The U.S. federal government recently designated a new The Strait of Belle Isle separates Newfoundland from the Quebec-Labrador Program participants, scientists, and conservation organizations across Canada involved with national heritage area in Vermont and New York called Peninsula. To celebrate the historic significance of the region and encourage species at risk recovery. the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership tourists to visit its special places, QLF is creating an internet-based historical atlas. (CVNHP). QLF is helping to connect CVNHP with partners As the gateway to North America, the Strait of Belle Isle has been the site of a very in Quebec to protect and promote shared cultural and long human history and a symbolic first meeting place of Indigenous and European The Quebec Commercial Fish Harvester’s Discover Science Summer Camps natural heritage along the connected waterways of Lake peoples at L’Anse aux Meadows. Using interactive technology, the web site will Champlain and the Richelieu River, Quebec. Please see include short historical descriptions, photographs and illustrations, maps, and local Guide to Government Services and This past summer, QLF and the Coasters Association held seven www.champlainvalleynhp.org for more information. stories. Watch for its debut in August 2009! Discover Science summer camps in communities on the Quebec Community Support Organizations Lower North Shore. The camps focused on improving science literacy in youth from 6 to 12 years of age through hands-on, Timeless Traditions on the Quebec Lower The commercial fishery is extremely complex. Recent consultations with place-based educational activities. Weekly themes included fishers from across Quebec revealed that both fishers and government staff exploring the land, wilderness North Shore found it difficult to identify information and support available to commercial survival, oceanography, fishers. QLF recognized the need for a comprehensive guide, conducted special birds on the Lower With the goal of preserving knowledge of local traditions before it is research, held meetings, and solicited input from numerous partners to North Shore, boating and lost, QLF has recently completed several heritage initiatives between the produce a seventy page guide to existing programs and services. sailing, and protecting our communities of Old Fort and Blanc Sablon, Quebec. Beginning in October environment. 2008, Priscilla Griffin was hired to help coordinate heritage activities for the The Guide includes information on running a commercial fishing business, youth, a special cookbook with traditional stories and recipes, a regional marine conditions and navigation, vessels and harbours, health and safety, The camps engaged a total old-fashioned event known as a “time,” a youth heritage day, and for the first fisheries management and harvesting, healthy and sustainable fish and of ninety youth and created time ever, the production of a double CD with more than 60 songs seafood, human resources and education, communications, and acts and employment for eleven contributed by local musicians. A sincere thank you to the many volunteers regulations. It also provides a complete list of fishers’ associations in the students from the region. This and participants who made this initiative such a great success and to

province of Quebec. Printed in both official languages, two guides will be Walsh Curtis by Photograph project was supported in part Canadian Heritage for their generous financial support. available: one for fishers in the Magdalen Islands and Gaspé Peninsula region A child from the Chevery by funding from the National Cochrane Candace by Photograph and a second for the Quebec Lower North Shore. Funding was provided by Discover Science camp on a Science and Engineering Replica of an early Norse boat at L’Anse aux Meadows. the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Canadian Heritage’s field trip to St. Mary’s Islands Research Council of Canada’s Official Languages Program. Please look for the Guide on the QLF web site in Federal Bird Sanctuary. Promoscience Program. May 2009. New Community Heritage Exhibits

In summer 2009, QLF and the Native Alliance of the Lower North Shore Heritage Rivers Rivers Canada Foundation will be launching an exciting new exhibit at the Auberge Riverside in the village of St. Augustine, Quebec. The exhibit showcases local In spring 2009, QLF completed a study recommending history and the Inuit heritage of the region through interpretative the creation of a Rivers Canada Foundation, a granting QLF is helping to organize panels and traditional Inuit articles and artefacts used by the region’s an important river organisation that would support on-the-ground river settlers. Last summer, QLF and partners developed a community heritage and conservation conservation in Canada. QLF has presented the study to exhibit in the village of Ship Cove on the northern tip of Newfoundland conference in June 2009, the Canadian Heritage Rivers Board and will present the

Photograph by Paul-Émile Miot/Library Paul-Émile by Photograph Canada/PA-188210 and Archives about famous French photographer Paul-Émile Miot. In the mid- hosted by the Canadian case for the Foundation at the Canadian River Heritage Paul-Émile Miot took this photograph of “Album Rock” in Ship Cove, Heritage Rivers System. Newfoundland in 1858. The photograph was acquired with the 19th century, Miot travelled to Ship Cove to document the French Conference in June 2009. For information or to financial support of the Ministry of Heritage under the Cultural cod fishery for diplomatic purposes. He took some of the earliest

2 May 2009 The Annual Newsletter of the Quebec-Labrador Foundation Canada 3 May 2009 The Annual Newsletter of the Quebec-Labrador Foundation Canada POINTING NORTHEAST POINTING NORTHEAST Community-based Conservation Culture and Heritage The Marine Species at Risk Program Expands Interpreting the History of the Seal (again!) to the Magdalen Islands Fishery on the Quebec Lower North Shore

2 May 2009 The Annual Newsletter of the Quebec-Labrador Foundation Canada 3 May 2009 The Annual Newsletter of the Quebec-Labrador Foundation Canada POINTING NORTHEAST POINTING NORTHEAST Shaping Our Future The Annual Newsletter of the Quebec-Labrador Foundation Canada QLF’s Leadership Program (Interns and Volunteers) May 2009