Cupids Cove Chatter

Squanto, originally uploaded by John Guy2010.

We share many ties with our American Neighbours; especially, Americans living in what are locally called “the Boston States.”

Squanto, who plays an important role in the story of American Thanksgiving, lived in the Cupids Cove Colony in 1617-1618. He is one of the most interesting characters in the settlement of the “New World.” He was kidnapped from his home in the village of Patuxet in what is known today as Plymouth, MA. His life was intermingled with that of European adventurers who were establishing ties in the New World during that period. His story is one of betrayal, grief, and loss mixed with excitement, adventure, and good fortune.

In addition, the Pilgrims stopped in Newfoundland on their way to the Plymouth Colony. The Pilgrims described this event that occurred on December 8, 1620 as follows:

About midnight we heard a great and hideous cry, and our Sentinel called out ‘Arm, Arm’. So we bestirred ourselves and shot off a couple of Muskets and noise ceased; we concluded that it was a company of Wolves or Foxes for one told us he had heard such a noise in New-found-land. About five a clock in the morning we began to be stirring. ..one of our company being abroad came running in and cried, ‘They are men, Indians, Indians’; and withal their arrows came flying amongst us, our men ran out with all speed to recover their arms. .. “There was a lusty man and no whit less valiant, who was thought to be their Captain, stood behind a tree within half a musket shot of us, and there let his arrows fly at us. …. He stood three shots of a musket. At length one took as he said full aim at him he gave an extraordinary cry, and away they went all.

More detail about Squanto’s story > >
More photos from Plymouth on Flickr > >

On November 17th, Dale Jarvis and Mel Squarey conducted a public meeting in the Cupids Legacy Centre about Baccalieu Trail Public Folklore. The Cupids Legacy Centre was the perfect site to launch the important new project.

Dale pointed out that the concept of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) is relatively new, but extremely important mainspring of cultural diversity. The process of globalization and social transformation pose threats of deterioration and disappearance to intangible cultural heritage all over the world. There is often a lack of resources and skills for safeguarding this type of heritage. Newfoundland is a place where there are still memories of various aspects of ICH, but 21st century global culture can quickly overwhelm traditional knowledge, skills and beliefs.

The Baccalieu Trail Public Folklore project is being organized to help communities develop skills to document, preserve, and present the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the region.

Dale Jarvis & Mel Squarey both work with Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), as part of the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Antje Springmann and Kathi Stacey with Lists of ICH to Safeguard
Which were compiled during the meeting

More photos of event on Flickr > >

Along with the Cupids Legacy Centre, the education initiative is designed  to be a lasting legacy from Cupids 400 for the youth of Newfoundland and Labrador.  This technology-based project, developed over a two-year period, was a partnership with Memorial University’s Distance Education and Learning Technologies (DELT) – the university’s online and distance education provider.

Andrew Mercer

Andrew Mercer, who spearheaded the initiative for Cupids 400 Inc. said, “Empowering our youth with robust knowledge and appreciation of their past can ensure the legacy of their culture and heritage. Cupids 400 Inc. recognized this fact and has facilitated the creation of several education initiatives designed to raise awareness of the historical events surrounding the settling of Cupids in 1610 and its national significance as the Birthplace of English Canada.”

Second Life Cupids

Second Life Cupids
Through expert technological resources provided by DELT, the settlement of 1612 Cupids was created in the virtual world of Second Life.   In Second Life, Cupids visitors join  John Guy on a tour of a life-sized replica of his plantation circa 1612  or take part in a video game-like learning activity where they can veiw authentic structures and characters of that initial settlement 400 years ago. Second Life Cupids is one of the most ambitious Second Life virtual environments ever developed and is an invaluable learning and entertainment resource for young and old alike.
Second Life Cupids can be accessed here:  http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cupids%201/107/184/811/ >>

Ann Marie Vaughan, director of DELT, with Development Team

Ann Marie Vaughan, director of DELT, is honoured to be the educational partner in a project that is so important to the community. “Community development is a vital part of our advancement and value as an organization here at DELT,” says Ms. Vaughan. “We believe wholeheartedly in preserving history so that present and future generations continue to have a solid sense of where they came from, through the rich storytelling culture of Newfoundland and Labrador. We feel enriched to have had the opportunity to work with the Town of Cupids, to ensure that their historical tales remain current through the use of educational technology.”

Free Cupids 400 iPhone /iPad App

William Gilbert – iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
Mobile learning offers exciting new opportunities for learners to explore historical content. Cupids 400 Inc. and Memorial University developed a free Cupids 400 iPhone App that takes advantage of this new educational medium. The App is GPS activated and allows the user to find detailed information about 8 sites in Cupids.
Download the Cupids App:  itunes.apple.com/ca/app/cupids400/id372761490?mt=8 > >

iPad, iPhone App for Cupids – GPS Activated

Mulimedia Learning Resource to Supplement Provincial Curricula

Through consultation with the provincial Department of Education, Cupids 400 Inc. has created multimedia learning resources to supplement existing provincial curricula in numerous grade levels. The resources, comprised of thought provoking activities centered on John Guy and the Cupids legacy, are available to teachers and students throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mike Buist describes the Education Legacy Initiative

More photos on Flickr about the Educational Legacy Initiative Press Conference > >

For further information, please contact Mike Buist, event manager/media contact for Cupids 400 Inc., at (709) 699-5432 or mike@cupids400.com