FireHouse Ironworks

The Blacksmith of FireHouse Ironworks

Visit our site:

Grant Haverstock and his business partner, John MacDonald had a creative idea to breathe new life into the old fire hall in Whycocomagh. Grant is a blacksmith from Port Hawkesbury who set up shop there with enthusiasm.

The first question we asked him was Are you big 'cause you're a blacksmith or are you a blacksmith 'cause you're big? He just chuckled and welcomed us into his blacksmith shop, the Fire House Ironworks.

The inside of Grant's shop was a busy space full of metal tools, anvils and forges. He cranked up one of the forges (big open oven) and began telling us about the finer points of blacksmithing as he heated some metal in the fire. Then, grabbing one of the heavy hammers with a hand the size of a grizzly paw he started hammering away at a blazing red piece of steel. He talked and worked as he taught us how to shape the metal, and about all the various people who stop by to see him work and take a lesson from him on blacksmithing.

Being chosen as a signature experience by Tourism Cape Breton means he is always busy with visitors from all over the country and world. But why not, he's a great guy and a great blacksmith!

Join us on Facebook and Twitter:

WCS Video Class of '81.mpg

Grade 10 class show their singing skills in Whycocomagh Consolidated School. Does anyone know the year?

Huricane Bill at its worst in Whycocomagh CB

Never got much past the heavy rain stage.

Excellence in Client Service - Mawita'mk Society

Traditionally, Mi'kmaq people with disabilities had to leave the communities where they were born and raised to access essential services that all Nova Scotians are entitled to. This meant they were removed from support networks -- family and friends -- and their language and culture. Recognizing that a sense of community has a fundamental role to play in the wellbeing of all individuals, Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy (We'koqma'q), his sisters - Margaret Poulette and Theresa Cremo -- and Tom Gunn formed the Mawita'mk Society in the early 1980s. Their goal was to build a community home and supported apartments in the Whycocomagh area. It took more than 20 years, but finally, in 2007, Ni'kinen (which means our house in Mi'kmaq) opened its doors. The facility can support 5 people who require 24-hour care (four live there now), its Supported Apartment Complex can house up to 5 individuals (two live there now), and there is one person who visits the facility through a day program.

The most important outcome of the Mawita'mk Society is that it has brought people with disabilities back to Whycocomagh, restoring them to the community where they were raised, and to the people they know and love. The facility is also open to anyone from the Mi'kmaq Nation who is living with disabilities, which means they can receive assistance in the culture and language that is their heritage. In this way, Mawita'mk is an opportunity to escape societal stigmas related to disabilities in an environment that is supportive, nurturing and grounded in Mi'kmaq traditions. The home has created jobs in the community, providing full and part-time employment for 11 individuals, all but two of whom are We'koqma'q band members. The society is now working to develop a social enterprise for aboriginal people with disabilities. This is significant in that employment opportunities for people living with disabilities are difficult to come by. The new venture will sell beadwork that is being created by a resident and the proceeds will be used to plan special outings and gifts for those who live in the home.

This community home and supported living facility is thought to be the first one of its kind, which meant there were no templates to follow in its creation. The prime movers behind this initiative took it upon themselves to develop the vision and see it through to fruition. In doing so, they have created a template for other First Nations communities that want to follow their lead. The planned social enterprise will also be the first of its kind in any First Nations community.

WCS Video Class of '79.mpg

In the mid 1970's, our school board acquired a 3/4 video tape recorder. It was indeed a cranky piece of equipment and often resulted in poor colour or scratchy sound.. Our school had access to the new and fabulous technology and, when I had a chance, I used it for a conversational French class. However, we found other uses outside the French curriculum.. During class or after class, some students were quite willing to ham it up with the approval of me, the teacher. Some of the students in the videos were not even part of any class that I taught, but they were all welcome to join in the fun! Finally, the students gave me the last word at the end of this particular video. -- AK MacKinnon