Cape Breton's Magazine

ics of these diseases are believed to have des? troyed whole communities, depopulated whole re? gions, and vastly decreased the native population everywhere in the yet unexplored interior of the continent. The early pandemics are believed to have run their course prior to 1600 A.D. Disease did more than decimate the native population; it effectively prepared the way for subsequent phases of European con? tact by breaking native morale and, per? haps even more significantly, by cracking their spiritual edifice. It is reasonable to suggest that European disease rendered the Indian's (particularly the shaman's) a bility to control and otherwise influence the supernatural realm dysfunctional--be? cause his magic and other traditional cures were now ineffective--thereby caus? ing the Indian to apostatize (in effect), which in turn subverted the "retaliation" principle of taboo and opened the way to a corruption of the Indian-land relationship under the influence of the fur trade. Much of this microbial phase was of course protohistoric, although it continued well into and no doubt beyond the seventeenth century--the time period covered by the earliest French sources. Recognizing the limitations of tradition as it conveys his? torical fact, it may nevertheless be in? structive to examine a myth concerning the Cross-bearing Micmac of the Miramichi Riv- The number of forest fires in Cape Breton is increas? ing. Last year between Ap? ril and October, 169 were reported. Fortunately, fast action by Lands and Forests crews and volunteer fire? fighters put them out before they did do much damage. Because even a small brush fire can get out of control and ignite nearby trees in seconds, early detection is essential. If you see a fire in or near the woods, contact your local Lands and Forests office or Sub-Ranger immediately. If there is no answer, call Zenith 40000." WHERE TO REACH US VICTORIA COUNTY Lands & Forests Provincial Building *Baddeck Lands & Forests Baddeck Depot *Shore Road Sub-Rangers George Cheverie Baddeck D. A. MacDonald lona Douglas W. Jackson Ingonish Jack MacDonald Tarbot Allister N. Maclnnis Englishtown John A. Curtis Bay St. Lawrence *for Industrial Permi 295-2554 or 295-2771 295-2300 295-2177 622-2403 285-2502 929-2781 929-2347 383-2293 ts INVERNESS COUNTY Lands & Forests Office Whycocomagh Office Margaree Sub-Rangers Martin Burns Margaree Harbour Clovis Chiasson Grand Etang Andrew Timmons Pleasant Bay Kenny Maclnnis Orangedale Martin Cameron Margaree Forks iHarold MacDonald (Mabou Harbour 756-2339 248-2029 235-2235 224-2695 224-2075 756-2370 248-2455 945-2683 RICHMOND COUNTY Lands & Forests Provincial Building *St. Peters 535-2032 Sub-Rangers Gilbert Boudreau West Arichat 226-3273 Thomas Matthews Grand Anse 345-2944 Roger MacLeod Grand River 587-2871 Dan Norman MacLeod Stirling 884-2794 Donald MacLeod Loch Lomond 587-2288 *for Permits Prior to 5 p.m. CAPE BRETON COUNTY Lands & Forests Depot 564-6389 & Forest Station or *Coxheath 564-8387 Sub-Rangers Boularderie Island: Brian Douglas Black Rock Rd., Big Bras d'Or 674-2192 Main-a-Dieu & area: Roy Perry Little Lorraine 733-2664 Big Pond & area: William R. McLean Irish Vale 828-2188 *for Industrial Permits or Permits Prior to 5 p.m. DO YOUR PART PREVENT FOREST FIRES (30) zs Hon. D. L Geo. Henley, Minister Donald L Eldridge, Deputy Minister NOVA SCOTIA DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS AND DON'T FORGET ... that Burning Permits are required under the Lands & Forests Act. No person shall make, kindle or start a fire on land within a wood, forest or forest area, or within one thousand feet of same without such a permit between April 1st and October 15th in the counties of Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth, Digby, and Annapolis, and in all other counties between April 15th and October 15th. Failure to comply may result in a fine of up to $200. Burning Permits are available from all locations listed above. See * for Industrial Permits and for Permits Prior to 5 p.m.