Echo Bay School Coffeehouse

When we arrived at Echo Bay, Carol the Bead Lady invited us to the
CoffeeHouse at the one-room school. Here La Sonrisa is anchored by the
school dock. We have often passed the school walking to Billy Proctor's
place but this was our first visit. What a joy to be part of this special
gathering. There was a moment, listening to their music, when I felt
like we were in the middle of many peoples' dreams come true. Keeping
the school open is a major challenge. There are now the minimum required
7 students, 2 are part-time with correspondence. Dreams include families
with children finding a way to live in Echoe Bay!

We once tried to convince Cosmo and Susan to consider a particular house
for sale, hoping the right person would come to live near Billy Proctor
and his wisdom. And guess what?! The Salmon Coast Research Centre has
arrived. Young scientists from Simon Fraser and the University of
Alberta are working on graduate degrees, some excellent research on sea
lice, while bringing uplifting energy to this very special place. Here
are some scientists as entertainers:

Echo Bay School is one of the last one-room schools
left on the coast. Iris Griffith was a student here at one time - I
wonder how much has changed. The kids seem to be getting a great
education - having a regular coffee house is teacher Alana's effort to
give them a chance to practice public speaking, and time for the whole
community to gather.

Student Poets

Singing Japanese national anthem.


Carol the Bead Lady tells a Nannabush story from her Cree heritage.

Everyone joins the marching band.

And every Friday, weather permitting, there is a soccer match between the
school kids and the Research Centre students.

Echo Bay is an amazing place in the Broughton Archepelago. Just
getting through the maze of islands and interesting currents over to
this part of the mainland is a challenge. The folks who keep this
community alive and magical - they're something else!

Carol the Bead Lady and husband Jerry's home on Chechako Lady,
with workshops and gardens.

A neat couple we met at Carol's craft shop can be found here:
"http://www.canoeacrosscanada.ca"

Information about La Sonrisa Charters is on our first post, April 30,
Welcome to La Sonrisa. You can email us at elizabeale@yahoo.ca