Page 82 - Pere Anselme Chiasson: Conversation and a Family Album

ISSUE : Issue 56

Published by Ronald Caplan on 1991/1/1

They forget being together.) Oh, yeah. (And it's something that the folklore collector can do. We think so much that we're taking away when we collect. But often the stories are told for the first time again, and peo? ple gather to hear or sing a song for the first time. And did you always seem to find them happy to...?) Oh, yeah. Whenever I was there--especially in the Madeleine Islands--some people told me, "Be careful, because you may not be well received." The National Film Board, or Ra? dio-Canada had been there, and filmed poor people--the most low people there, who knew nothing or were poor. And had pre? sented that on the TV as the Madeleine Is? lands. It represented Madeleine Islands. And they were so mad.... There was some reticence at first. But there was a man there who loved the folk? lore and the history of the islands. He was nearly blind. But he loved it. So, he knew everybody. So he came with me everywhere. But it didn't take long that I turned everything over, and then they felt--they appreciated their own treasures. I told them, I was telling them, "See, they are your own treasures. So many songs that you have--so beautiful songs, so beautiful leg? ends and things. It's a treasure. Don't be shy of such a treasure." NEW FROM U.C.C.B. PRESS So after awhile they were all glad to en- register (record on tape) and sing and give me anything they had in that field. And a year or two after, there were tape recorders nearly everywhere. Teachers in every house. And they were collecting themselves, their own folklore. (In Cheticamp when you started, how did people react to your coming and wanting to write down their stories and songs?) Oh, I had no trouble at all in Cheticamp. They were glad to help, and they were--they waited for my book. And they found it took such a long time before it appeared!... When I was young there was a guy--how did they call him, now?--I name him in my book. And he was like a hero in Cheticamp. I re? member where we had something special one night at home. And we went to get him--it was in the winter, I think--with a sleigh, bring him to tell tales in my home. And it was an honour like, at the time, the fiddler and like that. And we drove him back late. He knew so many tales. And they were never recorded. He died before. And we had others too. Marcellin (Hach6) was one of the only ones left, I think (when I collected). There was Lubie Chias? son. He was my cousin. (I liked him very much. A few short stories from Lubie are in Issue 23.) Oh, Lubie, and Marie, his sister. She was such a nice person--oh, so lively, and memory was formidable. And funny and--oh, quite a person. tfted by kennetfrt-Dcfce'n '. ' Ten new studies on the history of Cape Breton Island ranging from tiie Nortii Atlantic world of the 18th century to the political and economic troubles of the 20th century. The book also has a comprehensive introduction ex? amining Cape Breton's vibrant cultural revival since the 1960's. Individual chapters consider the wreck of the Chameau in 1725, Scottish settlements and economic life in the early 19th century, the cultural awakening of the 1840's, the roie of women in the Great War, the impact of immigration and industrialization on the urban centres, the fortunes of labour politics in the coal towns and the continuing crisis of public ownership in the steel industry. Contributors include Christopher Moore, Alex Storm, Stephen Hornsby, Rus? ty Bitterman, Ken Donovan, Michael Owen, Ron Crawley, A.J.B. Johnston, David Frank and Joan Bishop. A co-publication of University College of Cape Breton Press and Acadiensis Press. ISBN 0-919107-23-0 Paper $19.95 ISBN 0-919107-24-9 Cloth $35.00 To order: Send cheque or money order to University College of Cape Breton Press, P.O. Box 5300, Sydney, N.S., BIP 6L2, Shipping included. (Yes. And Lubie--great humour. He was a marvellous tease.) Telling tales, dancing. Oh yeah, he was a nice guy. I have lots of songs from Lubie. From Marie I have--oh, I don't know--so many songs. Dozens and doz- Oceon 'entalsitd. Lawn & Garden Equipment Tillers Sod Cutters Air Eators GLACE BAY General Engine Hoists Jacks Tow Bars 849-1616 & Much More- South (Campbells Comer) - P. O. Box 265 CO-OP' Burner Service Contracts Available Automatic IDelivery Budget Plan Available Lube - Oil - Greases 562-3163 503 PRINCE ST. - SYDNEY, N. S. CO-OP FUELS Stove and Furnace Oii Furnace Maintenance Contracts Available

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