Culture Exchange
Culture Exchange is an innovative, women-led, skills development program that kicked off its third season in June 2023. The program was successfully launched in 2020 and in July 2021 for its second season. In 2023, the program supports nine communities, offering 36 cultural skills workshops across the island.
Co-led by Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design and the Island Food Network, the Culture Exchange has set out to create grassroots opportunities for women and gender diverse individuals in Unama’ki – Cape Breton to connect and learn together, while laying the groundwork for employment opportunities in the culture sector, or potential culture-based enterprises.
For the third year, the Culture Exchange supports Culture Exchange Hubs in Margaree, Albert Bridge, Potlotek, Millville, We’koqma’q, St. Ann’s Bay and Whitney Pier. New locations include Chéticamp and Middle River.
Upcoming Workshops:
December 9, 2-4pm – Christmas Cookies Workshop at Menelik Hall (88 Laurier Street, Whitney Pier). Contact Whitney Green at powerfullycreative@gmail.com or 902-322-9559 to register.
December 17, 9am-4pm -Wreath Making Workshop at Elders Centre (150 Reservation Road) We’koqma’q. To register, contact Eva Nicholas at eva.nicholas@gmail.com
December 17, 7pm-9pm – Community Social Night, tea and baked goods workshop at Elders Centre (150 Reservation Road) We’koqma’q. To register, contact Eva Nicholas at eva.nicholas@gmail.com
For the more details on upcoming workshops, visit the Hub Leaders’ social media pages listed below
Past Workshops:
July 10th, 7-9pm – Acadian Square Set & Local Jam Preserves, Conseil Des Arts Chéticamp. Coordinated by Betty Ann Cormier of Chéticamp – Apprenons tout en s’amusant.
July 16th, 2pm – Intro to Hand Dyeing in Albert Bridge (256 Hills Road). Coordinated by Demmarest Haney of Albert Bridge – Feywood Grove Folkschool.
July 26th, 9am-noon – Wool dyeing Workshop at Ecole NDA, Chéticamp. Coordinated by Betty Ann Cormier of Chéticamp – Apprenons tout en s’amusant.
July 26th 6:30pm-8:00pm – Paper Flower Making at Ecole NDA, Chéticamp. Coordinated by Betty Ann Cormier of Chéticamp – Apprenons tout en s’amusant.
July 30th 2-4pm – Intro to Hand Dyeing at 2982 West Side Middle River Rd (Flying Finch Studio), Middle River. Coordinated by Kristi Farrier of Middle River – Meet You in the Middle .
August 2, 6:00pm – Fireweed Jelly Workshop at the Community Hall, Potlotek. Coordinated by Noelle Doucette of Potlotek – Potlotek Cultrapreneurs.
August 12, 1pm – Foraging Workshop at Skye River Trail, We’koqma’q. Coordinated by Eva Nicholas of We’komq’ma’k Muine’swak.
August 13, 1pm – Making Jams and Bannock at Skye River Trail, We’koqma’q. Coordinated by Eva Nicholas of We’komq’ma’k Muine’swak.
August 20, 1:30-4:30pm – Sewing Basics at Centre de la Mi-carême, Chéticamp. Coordinated by Betty Ann Cormier of Chéticamp – Apprenons tout en s’amusant.
September 10, 1-4pm – Beekeeping Basics at Middle River Community Hall (2656 Cabot Trail), Middle River. Coordinated by Kristi Farrier of Middle River – Meet You in the Middle .
September 10, 1-4pm – Foraging Workshop at 784 King Grove Road, Millville. Coordinated by Estelle Levangie of Millville – Grassroots Learning.
September 23, 2pm – Fermenting Saurkraut Workshop in Albert Bridge (256 Hills Road). Coordinated by Demmarest Haney of Albert Bridge – Feywood Grove Folkschool.
September 24, 1-4pm – Knitting Workshop at Middle River Community Hall (2656 Cabot Trail), Middle River. Coordinated by Kristi Farrier of Middle River – Meet You in the Middle .
September 30 1-3pm – Permaculture at the North River Hall (37 Oregon Rd, Baddeck). Coordinated by Patsy Leblanc of St. Ann’s Bay – Learning Hands Around the Bay.
October 1, 1-5pm – Permaculture Workshop at 784 King Grove Road, Millville. Coordinated by Estelle Levangie of Millville – Grassroots Learning.
October 14, 1-3pm – Traditional Food Fest, Outdoor Cooking Techniques at Potlotek Fishery Dome. Coordinated by Noelle Doucette of Potlotek – Potlotek Cultrapreneurs.
October 15, 2-5pm – Seed Saving in Albert Bridge (256 Hills Road). Coordinated by Demmarest Haney of Albert Bridge – Feywood Grove Folkschool.
October 15, 1-3pm – Hugelkulture from wood chips to potato chips at the St. Ann’s Bay Community Garden. Coordinated by Patsy LeBlanc of St. Ann’s Bay – Learning Hands Around the Bay.
October 22 – 1:30-3:30pm – Garlic Planting Workshop at Margaree Meeting Place/Community Garden (7472 Cabot Trail, Margaree Forks). Coordinated by Kim Tilsley of Margaree – Margaree Folk School.
October 23 & November 2 – Salmon Hide Preparation Workshop in Potlotek. Coordinated by Noelle Doucette of Potlotek – Potlotek Cultrapreneurs.
October 27 – Ribbon Skirt Style Apron Workshop in Potlotek. Coordinated by Noelle Doucette of Potlotek – Potlotek Cultrapreneurs.
November 2, 1-3pm and November 3, 1-4pm – Faux Stained Glass Workshop at Indian Brook Firehall, North Shore. Coordinated by Patsy LeBlanc of St. Ann’s Bay – Learning Hands Around the Bay.
November 4 – 1-4pm – Stretching Your Food Workshop at the Southwest Margaree Parish Hall (19678 Nova Scotia Trunk 19, South West Margaree). Coordinated by Kim Tilsley of Margaree – Margaree Folk School.
November 10, 6-8pm – Pierogi Making Workshop at St. Philip’s African Orthodox Church (34 Hankard St. Whitney Pier). Coordinated Whitney Green of Whitney Pier Culture !n Craft.
November 12, 1-4pm – Natural Medicine Making at CB Food Hub Building (1415 NS-105, Bras D’or). Coordated by Estelle Levangie of Millville – Grassroots Learning.
November 12, 1-4. Embroidered Stockings in Middle River (Flying Finch Studio, 2982 W Side Middle River Rd). Coordinated Kristi Farrier of Middle River – Meet You in the Middle.
November 18, 10am-4pm. Meat Processing Workshop at Thyme for Ewe Farm (784 King Grove Road, Millville). Coordinated by Estelle Levangie of Millville – Grassroots Learning.
November 19, 2-4pm – Mending and Embellishments (Embroidery) at Margaree Meeting Place (7972 Cabot Trail).Coordinated Kim Tilsley of Margaree Folk School.
November 22, 6-8pm – African Diva Ornaments at Menelik Hall (88 Laurier Street), Whitney Pier. Coordinated by Whitney Green of Whitney Pier – Culture !n Craft.
November 25, 2pm – Wreath Making Workshops in Albert Bridge (256 Hills Road). Coordinated by Demmarest Haney of Albert Bridge – Feywood Grove Folkschool.
November 25, 1:30-3pm – Holiday Charcuterie Board at Le Centre de la Mi-Carême (Chéticamp). Coordinated by Betty Ann Cormier of Chéticamp – Apprenons tout en s’amusant.
November 26, 1:30-3pm – Canning and Preserving Fruits at Le Centre de la Mi-Carême (Chéticamp). Coordinated by Betty Ann Cormier of Chéticamp – Apprenons tout en s’amusant.
November 26, 2-4pm – Tree Woodworking Workshop at Menelik Hall (88 Laurier Street, Whitney Pier). Coordinated by Whitney Green of Whitney Pier – Culture !n Craft.
November 28, 1-3 pm – Chocolate Truffle Making at 45943 Cabot Trail. Coordinated by Patsy LeBlanc of St. Ann’s Bay – Learning Hands Around the Bay.
November 29, 7-9pm – Holiday Appetizer Swap at 9 Hilltop Drive, Margaree Forks. Coordinated Kim Tilsley of Margaree Folk School.
November 30, 2-4pm – Wreath Making at Margaree Meeting Place (7972 Cabot Trail). Coordinated Kim Tilsley of Margaree Folk School.
Hubs:
Whitney Pier – Culture !n Craft
Whitney Green of Powerful.Creative is a self taught graphic designer and screen printer. Whitney is passionate about her community of Whitney Pier, one of the three historically Black communities in Cape Breton and one of the most ethnically diverse communities on the island. Whitney strives to empower individuals, community, and social change through bold and fun fashion activism.
Contact: Whitney Green at powerfullycreative@gmail.com or 902-322-9559. Website: powerfulcreative.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/powerfulcreatives
Albert Bridge – Feywood Grove Folkschool
Demmarest Haney, Hub Leader of the Feywood Grove Folk School in Albert Bridge, where workshops range from pottery to hugelkultur! Demmarest started the folk school to ensure that there is a place to share knowledge and skills that build local community and resiliency.
Contact: farm@feywoodgrove.com or 902-562-6990
Website: feywoodgrove.com
Facebook: facebook.com/feywoodgrovefarm
St. Ann’s Bay – Learning Hands Around the Bay
A long time community organizer, Patsy Leblanc is excited to gather and build connections around the wealth of knowledge and creativity found in her community of St. Ann’s Bay.
Contact: Patsy LeBlanc at patsyleblanc29@gmail.com or 902-577-1054
Facebook: facebook.com/stannsbaycommunity
Margaree – Margaree Folk School
Kim Tilsley is a farmer, baker and community oven volunteer based in Southwest Margaree, has been involved in various Upskilling ventures over the years and now is the Hub leader of the Margaree Folk School. You’ll find many land-based cultural workshops with many materials and ingredients sourced locally.
Contact: Kimberly Tilsley at margareefolk@gmail.com
Facebook: facebook.com/kimberly.tilsley
Instagram: @margareefolkschool
Potlotek – Potlotek Cultrapreneurs
A community leader Noelle Doucette organizes workshops that highlight the wealth of skill and knowledge in her community. Topics at the Potlotek Cultrapreneurs have included designing, making and playing of traditional drums and sweetgrass harvesting.
Contact: Noelle Doucette at noelle_doucette@hotmail.ca
We’komq’ma’k Muine’swak
An accomplished artist, Eva Nicholas brings lots of creativity to her workshops as the hub leader of We’komq’ma’k Muine’swak.
Contact: Eva Nicholas at eva.nicholas@gmail.com
Millville – Grassroots Learning
Farmer and community organizer, Estelle Levangie is passionate about helping others master hands-on skills and is the Hub leader of Grassroots Learning in Millville.
Contact: Estelle Levangie at thymeforewefarm@gmail.com
Facebook: facebook.com/thymeforewefarm
Instagram:@thymeforewefarm
Middle River – Meet You in the Middle
Kristi Farrier is a hand papermaker and textile artist. She uses repurposed textiles, flax and other natural fibres while employing traditional techniques to create beautiful and unique handmade papers. In her textile practice, Kristi transforms fabric, thread, paint and dye into dynamic abstract art works celebrating colour and line. Kristi works out of Flying Finch Studio located in Middle River.
Contact: Kristi Farrier at kristi@flyingfinchstudio.ca or 782-235-7996. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Flying-Finch-Studio-100063809119366/
Chéticamp – Apprenons tout en s’amusant
A 4th generation rug hooker with 57 years experience in rug hooking. Betty Ann Cormier is the Hub leader of Apprenons tout en s’amusant in Chéticamp. She designs, hooks and dyes her own wool and has been teaching this art/craft for 15 years. She finds it is a grounding time for her and is a great opportunity to look after her mental health.
Contact: Betty Ann Cormier at bacormierconsultants@gmail.com or 506-855-4480
Website: www.bettyanncormier.com