Judy and Joe Googoo, two traditional Mi’kmaw harvesters, are the perfect guides for this return to the land journey! Meet in Waycobah, Cape Breton, and canoe from there to Indian Island in Bras d’Or Lake. After setting up camp, you’ll spend the rest of the weekend learning about ways to live off and close to the land.
You’ll have the opportunity to collect mussels and oysters and cook them on a camp fire; make emergency shelters from found objects; hunt for a beaver, stretch the hide and make a meal from it; spear eel by night and day; pick berries; and fish. You will be doing day canoe excursions to various locations that are not far from the base camp. Participants can also go beach combing and create art from found objects, and make survival bracelets.
Bring your own tent and sleeping gear. If you have a canoe bring it along, but we will supply extra canoes as needed. Cooking supplies will also be provided, as will supplemental food.
Please Note: The program costs cover the leaders’ travel, honoraria, meals, plus your food, and a nominal registration fee. We do not agree with exploiting Indigenous culture or knowledge. We do believe that cross cultural experiences can promote much needed right relations between peoples. The Tatamagouche Centre is not making a profit from this program.
Program Cost: $280
We strive to make our programs as accessible as possible.
Please contact our Registrar to inquire about a bursary or payment plan.
Please register at least 2 weeks in advance to secure your place in this program.
Leadership
Judy Googoo
Judy Googoo never visited a hospital while growing up in Baddeck and Wagmatcook. All her medicines were prepared by her mother and grandmother and passed on over time. Judy is an Elder who has been studying and cataloguing medicines from this region infusing her own experiences and practices with traditional knowledge.
Judy is also an artist and makes jewelry which she sells at her log cabin shop on the reserve. She owns a variety of businesses and raises a wide assortment of animals including love birds, turkeys, goats and horses in her home in Wagmatcook.
Judy is also a Program Resource Group (PRG) facilitator at Tatamagouche Centre.
Joe Googoo
Joe Googoo from Waycobah First Nations has hunted, trapped and fished all his life. He has also worked harvesting oysters. Joe is happiest when he is in a boat or on the land. He is a member of the Mi’Kmaq Grand Council.
Jason Blanch
Jason Blanch, Program Resource Group (PRG) facilitator, holds a Master of Adult Education with a focus in community development. Jason currently works as an addictions counsellor, and as a supply teacher in the federal prison system and previously worked as a counselor with New Directions, a program for men addressing abuse issues. He has a daily meditation practice and is a yoga enthusiast.