'This land belongs to the Mi’kmaq people': Historic land transfer on Nova Scotia’s south shore
Jim and Margaret Drescher have owned Windhorse Farm in Wentzells Lake, N.S. for more than 30 years, and they know the land pretty well.
The pair has decided however to return it to a people who know it even better.
“We walked in the old growth forest and we walked in the gardens, down to the river into the lake and we thought this land belongs to the Mi’kmaq people,” says Margaret Drescher.
The farm sits on 200 acres, 180 acres is undeveloped forest first settled by the Wentzell family 150 years ago.
They eventually sold it to the Dreschers who operate it as a wilderness retreat.
Now, through a combination of purchase and gift, ownership is being transferred to the Ulnooweg Education Centre - an Indigenous-led charitable organization.
Asked how he knows this is the right decision, Drescher says, “I think the land, the land is the wisest and most persistent speaker here.”
Chris Googoo is the Ulnooweg Education Centre’s chief operating officer.
He says they will continue to use the land as a place to heal and educate.
“It’s more than just a piece of property to us,” Googoo says. “I just immediately had visions of our Indigenous children and non-Indigenous children, as well running through the forest, that ancient forest, and learning about the interconnectedness between us and Mother Nature.”
Googoo believes this is the first time a land transfer like this has ever happened with an Indigenous charity in Nova Scotia.
“I trust that it’s in the right hands now,” says Drescher.
The negotiations have been ongoing for more than three years, and now, Windhorse Farms could be back in the hands of the Mi’kmaq People as early as next week.
The Dreschers say people have always been welcome to come and walk the 23 kilometres of trails at the farm - a tradition that will continue after the land is returned to the Mi’kmaq People.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.