La Rochelle, France

Sunday, September 20, 2009 saw significant Cape Breton Island activity in the coastal city of La Rochelle, France.

Mid-afternoon, a traditional Mi’kmaq “smudging” ceremony was held dockside and onboard the CAPE BRETON ISLAND yacht in the Bassin des Chalutiers.  In keeping with our marketing strategy re: bringing Cape Breton culture to our international activations, the Sons of Membertou provided a sensational and powerful display of drumming on the dock adjacent to the Cape Breton Island yacht. Darrell Bernard, Membertou elder and member of the group, “smudged” (blessed) the Cape Breton Island yacht and each crew member. This display attracted immense dockside interest, media attention and had a profound effect on all those who involved.

Later that evening, an historic 18th Century dinner for approximately 80 people was held at a two star Michelin restaurant on the La Rochelle waterfront using 18th century lobster recipes and a sommelier offering 18th century style Nova Scotia wines.  Invitees to this dinner included dignitaries, media, seafood buyers, processors, high profile chefs, higher ranked officials from key restaurant and hotel chains, and other local business and industry representatives.

At this event, Terry Paul, Chief of the Community of Membertou, initiated the signing of the “Commemoration of Friendship”.  This scrolled document will be taken from La Rochelle into every port along the race route on the Cape Breton yacht, culminating in Hull, UK in July 2010, having been extended to the people of the world as a symbol of friendship by Membertou and the people of Cape Breton, and signed by local dignitaries in every port city. It invites persons from around the world to come to Cape Breton in June 2010 for the Clipper stopover and the celebrations around the 400th Anniversary of Grand Chief Membertou’s Baptism.

Our activation in La Rochelle also consisted of a trade mission.  Four Atlantic Canadian lobster exporters travelled to La Rochelle to participate in one on one meetings with buyers (importers, wholesalers, key restaurant/hotel chains, etc., within the French marketplace), and tours of processing facilities - all arranged for by the Trade Commissioner at the Canadian Embassy in Paris who also participated in the Clipper activation and trade mission.

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