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Alexandra Community School of Owen Sound, and Alaqsite’w Giptu School of Listuguj, Mi’gmaq First Nation, continued their friendship last month here in beautiful Bruce and Grey counties, as the East Coast Eagles flew into town for the second half of their cultural exchange, sponsored by the Canada Sports Friendship Exchange Program.
The Listuguj Eagles were treated to many sights and sounds synonymous with the Grey-Bruce area, including a visit to Tobermory and a Sauble Beach sunset.
The visit also gave our teenaged tour guides a chance to educate their visitors on local industry by exploring the agricultural and energy sectors through visits to the Keady Market and Bruce Power.
Other activities taken in by the Mi’gmaq merrymakers included attending a Junior North Stars lacrosse game (a sport that was debatably invented by the Migmaq yet curiously not popular in Listuguj), playing survival at the Outdoor Education Centre, visiting Harrison Park, and attending Alexandra’s Family Fun Night where Eagles of every stripe enjoyed games, food and merriment courtesy of the Alexandra Parent Council.
However, the highlight for many was Bruce Peninsula National Park, where the unsurpassable and Instagram-able emerald waters of the grotto led the Gaspe globetrotters to gasp hooray.
After leaving The Scenic City and spending a weekend together in Toronto, it was time for the adolescent adventurers to return to their respective homes.
As tears flowed, Eagles from both communities were urged to not consider it a good-bye, but rather a see-you-later as we hope that this inaugural exchange is only the beginning of an ongoing and annual friendship.
The Alexandra community gives thanks to the Canada Sports Friendship Exchange Program, The BWDSB Outdoor Education Centre, Bruce Power, the Bruce Peninsula National Park, City of Owen Sound, Alexandra Parent Council, and O’SHARE for their support of our Cultural Exchange. More information about CSFEP can be found here.
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source: media release, Alexandra Community School