A Unique Camping Experience

While sitting at a picnic table in Mira in May of 2016, a conversation started with talking about how popular camping has become and how we always have trouble finding sites for our trailers next to each other.

As it grew even more difficult to find sites together, our joke was “well we can’t find a spot so we will just buy a campground”. The conversation spread and our campfire days and nights were spent talking of our excitement about owning a campground.

We started looking at land to build from the bottom up. One lucky day while Austin searched the web for land, Englishtown Ridge popped up like it was meant to be. Before long we were all in our trucks and out to Englishtown. We immediately fell in love with the place and saw our vision come alive in front of us. We could see where our trailers would go – finally! We knew it was going to be ours and our campfire dreams were coming true.

Meet Austin Christmas

Austin grew up in Membertou, and has a strong connection with his Mi’kmaq ancestry. Austin is a Pipe Carrier and a Drum Keeper who performs with the Sons of Membertou at ceremonies and special events. He has been involved in the trades for over 15 years and has worked throughout North America. Austin has also worked in the commercial fishery for a number of years and is a hard worker who loves a challenge but also enjoys being around others and having a good time.

Meet Sharon and Darrell Bernard

Sharon has lived in Membertou, Cape Breton Island for the last 38 years and has been employed with the Membertou Band in the Education Department. She has spent the majority of her life living the traditional way and was given the spiritual name of “Strong Dancing Beaver Woman” with the Spirit of the Beaver and the Turtle as her Warrior.  Sharon has her Bachelor of Community Studies, Bachelor of Education and Master’s Degree in Education.  She also does part-time work with Indigenous Women Community in Leadership Program offered at the Coady International Institute at Saint Francis Xavier University.   She has been married to Darrell for 36 years and has raised four beautiful children together and has been blessed with several grandchildren.

Darrell Bernard has also spent most of his life living the traditional way of his people. Darrell has performed for nearly 30 years with the Mi’kmaw Drum Group, Sons of Membertou. The Sons of Membertou have performed traditional and contemporary music, both nationally and internationally.  Darrell has also been a long-term employee of Membertou Band and is a retired civil servant. Darrell served on the Membertou Council for a number of years. Sharon and Darrell have enjoyed camping all of their lives and are looking forward to the partnership in Kluskap Ridge RV Park and Campground.