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Jacob Wilkie, a 12-year-old, 6th grade student from North Highlands Elementary in Aspy Bay, Cape Breton was selected from a group of participants in the Community Memories Program. The program asked 6th graders to interview an elder in the community about life in the North Highlands region of Cape Breton Island. Jacob interviewed his grandmother Iris Wilkie, who spent the first 12 years of her life on the isolated St. Paul's Island with her family: father, Wison Gwinn (lighthouse keeper), mother, Sadie Gwinn and her sisters and brothers.

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Jacob Wilkie, age 12
Circa 2006
Cape North, Nova Scotia, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Wilkie, Bonita

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I am interviewing my grandmother Iris Wilkie. Her Parents were Sadie Gwinn and Wilson Gwinn.


4

Iris Wilkie during her interview with grandson, Jacob Wilkie
Circa 2006
Cape North, Nova Scotia, Canada

Credits:
Wilkie, Bonita

5

Jacob- Where were you born?
Iris- I was born on St. Paul's Island, November 30, 1928. We lived there for 12 years and then moved to Sugarloaf.

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Aerial view of St. Paul's Island
Circa 1990's
St. Paul's Island, Nova Scotia, Canada

Credits:
The North Highlands Community Museum

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Map of St. Paul's Island
20th Century
St. Paul's Island, Nova Scotia, Canada

Credits:
The North Highlands Community Museum

8

J- How did your family come to live there?
I- My father worked there. He was the Lighthouse Keeper for the South-West side of the island.

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Southwest Lightkeeper Wilson Gwinn, right; and helper
Circa 1930's
St. Paul's Island, Nova Scotia, Canada

Credits:
Wilkie Family
The North Highlands Community Museum

10

J- What did the land look like?
I- A lot of rocks and water. It would be covered in snow for five months.

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Childhood home of Iris Wilkie as seen from sea
Circa 1970's
South West Light, St. Paul's Island, Nova Scotia

Credits:
The North Highlands Community Museum

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Craggy coastline around St. Paul's Island
20th Century
St. Paul's Island, Nova Scotia, Canada

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Rough Water During a Winter Storm
20th Century
St. Paul's Island, Nova Scotia, Canada

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Stormy Winter Seas at St. Paul's
Circa 1960's
St. Paul's Island, Nova Scotia, Canada

Credits:
The North Highlands Community Museum