Page 71 - Cape Breton's Magazine CENTRE for Documentary Field Studies: Yvonne McInnes Sturgess, in Waipu

ISSUE : Issue 74

Published by Ronald Caplan on 1999/6/1

nn McGregor. 1831-1931. aughter of John. Passenger n the Margaret. Married Wil- am Maxwell Lang. the reasons is that when, after being here, even before he died, they were mov? ing away from his concept. There was a little bit of guilt, because the concept that had got them here, and I don't think there's any question that the concept of a Gaelic community with their own land was what drove them. But I think there was a certain amount of guilt. They were in a new country, they were starting to mix.... I'm wondering, when all those stories came in about him, when he became such a figure of almost hate, certainly criticism, it wasn't a certain amount of guilt. Subconscious guilt, you know. "Unease" would perhaps be a better word. And then there would have been people who would have liked to have criticized him when he was alive, or consid? ered they suffered by his moral teaching. I'm thinking of the Lang girls--two of them were quite early feminists in that time. They couldn't bear him. They were three unmarried women, and they had re? tired from the Reverend because he seemed to be anti-female.... So, it seems to me that I probably see him through rose-coloured spectacles because my people were Normanites. I think that Normanites could be narrow-minded to? wards him. But I don't see that as a fault. I mean, if not, we would have been sitting on Skye. I'm very thrilled that I'm living in New Zea? land all these years. I think Cape Breton was better than Pic? tou, because there was not so much rum and such, emd it was bet? ter than Scotland. It was very beautiful when they went. I think this is a (jues- tion that has stirred up a lot of people: Was he simply unable to settle? Did he just want to see himself as a continual leader? I don't agree. I can't forats see it, because his wife was sick euid she had been a wonderful support. To a large ex? tent, I have nothing to go on, but from what I have learned, and what I have eibsorbed, rightly or wrongly, there was no future for the next generation in Cape Breton.... I always hark back to the fact, iaven at that stage when they had been waiting in Auckland for the land, or even in Austra? lia, when they would have to wait nearly another year, and go through the pro? cess of trying to get land up here. There was nothing sure about it. They turned down beau? tiful land down there simply be? cause they couldn't all be to? gether un? der the Reverend Norman McLeod.... There's no WHALE CRUISERS LTD. ESTABLISHED 1981 CHETICAMP (Opposite large stone church visible for miles.) Aboard the 42 ft. vessels WHALE CRUISER and BONNIE MAUREEN III, search for pilot whales, fin whales and minkes. Bird lovers may see bald eagles, gannets and a variety of" other birds along the scenic coastline of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. View interesting geology rock formations and sea caves. Enjoy an ocean experience. SCHEDULE DAILY: May-June, 9 am, 6 pm (3 firs.) July - Aug. 15, 9 am, 1 pm, 6 pm 'j='=|N Aug. 16 - Sept. 15, 9 am, 1 pm, 5 pm L_j2'_J After Sept 15, 10 am, 4 pm Adults $25.00, Children 6-12, $10.00 Under 6 years FREE Contact: Whale Cruisers Ltd., Capt. Cal. Poirier P.O. Box 183, Cheticamp, N.S. BOE 1H0 Phone: (902) 224-3376 Fax: (902) 224-1166 Toll Free: 1-800-813-3376 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.whalecruises.com During one period last season, with a radio-equipped spotter vehicle, whales were sighted over 40 trips in a row. • BUS TOURS WELCOME • NOVA SCOTIA'S ORIGINAL WHALE CRUISE Awards: TIANS & Ambassador lei on parle Franyais on the Cabot Trail Best selection of hooked rugs Flora's offers an excellent selection of rugs and other hooked items, made by over 100 local craft ladies. We also feature other quality handcrafts and souvenirs. • Coasters • Sweaters • Chair seats • Quilts • Wall hangings • Placemats • Rugs s ' • Tartans Flora's has served t tourist industry for over 25 years. We welcome tour groups for one stop shopping. You're sure to enjoy our rug hooking dem? onstrations! P. O. Box 316, Cheticamp, N.S. BOE IHO PHONE: (902) 224-3139 The Heart of Acadia. A

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