Oyster Garden Summer 2011
by Charlie Dennis One of the stories that sticks out in my mind happened a few years ago. Blair and the Guardians were involved in a project by EFWC and sponsored by Nova Scotia Fisheries at the request of the angling community. Rainbow trout is an introduced species that was affecting the native population of...
Oyster Garden 16
In a previous story (Oyster Garden 8 ) I spoke of changes in habitat due to climate change and rising sea levels. In that story I spoke of the island in Eskasoni that is no longer there. That island was located just behind the RCMP headquarters as we showed in aerial photos that illustrated that...
Oyster Garden 15
This story actually happened to me and my good friend, Lawrence Toney.Lawrence was involved in several areas where oysters beds were found. Most of the oysters were bought by me for sale in the Canadian market and restaurant trade. Over the years, I have heard many stories around the campfire and listening to Elders tell...
Oyster Garden 14
By Charlie Dennis Someone came into the office today and asked me, “How are the oysters Charlie?” Sadly, I didn’t have a simple answer for them. Back in 2002 it was confirmed that MSX, an oyster parasite, was detected in some key oyster-producing areas of the Bras d’Or Lakes. At first, small mortalities were reported...
The Oyster Garden 13
Lobster in Area 28 (Part 2) Story by Chief Charlie Dennis The sad part of our story is that with the 50 traps we put out, we only got one small lobster that was undersized and we had to throw it back in. This went on for about two weeks, until one day, my friend...
The Oyster Garden 12
Lobster in Area 28 Story by Chief Charlie Dennis The Bras d’Or Lakes have always been known to have harvestable lobster. I talked to old fishermen, like Alfred MacKay, Clearwater, and other fishermen from Alder Point who remember fishing in the Lakes. There were so many lobster in those years that you couldn’t squeeze another...
The Oyster Garden 11
Eagles on the Bras d’Or Story by Chief Charlie Dennis This is a personal observation from information gathered over the years while talking to some of the hunters from Unama’ki. Hunters observe that the number of eagle feathers found along the shoreline around the Bras d’Or Lakes have declined. Most of the eagle feathers that...
The Oyster Garden 10
A Story by Charlie Dennis Tribute to Frankie Francis–Friend & Cousin In our Fall issue, Charlie Dennis described Frankie’s many business ventures that varied according to season. In late fall, Frankie would fish for eels in the Lakes’ mudflats, drawing from the knowledge he had picked up from the Elders. After fishing for eels, and...
The Oyster Garden 9
A Story by Charlie Dennis Tribute to Frank Francis Frankie–Friend & Cousin I met Frank when my grandfather and I were visiting at his family’s home. Originally, we lived near the new elementary school, up on the hill where the Eskasoni Supermarket is today. Every chance I got I would spend visiting my grandparents who...
The Oyster Garden 8
A Story by Charlie Dennis Here is a story that’s a bit different from the others that I’ve told in the past. My stories usually begin with facts and fishermen in Malagawatch. With this story, I’ll throw you off a little and tell you about something a bit different. This is a story where you...
The Oyster Garden 7
A Story by Charlie Dennis I was visiting Uncle Simon Gabriel on one of many evenings after a long day of fishing oysters in Malagawatch. Gabriel lay on his bed next to the warm stove. His mouth was full of chewing tobacco and there was a spittoon nearby. Often something was said by him or...
Oyster Garden 6
A Story by Charlie Dennis My stories usually begin in Malagawatch or ‘Big Harbour Island’ as it’s called on the map. My principal Elders are Gabriel Sylliboy and Noel Francis. Other people were involved in some of the stories that were talked about around the campfire about the futuristic view of predicting the next day’s...