 March 16th, 2022
Fogo Island Pride is looking for contractors and certified construction workers to assist in renovating the interior and exterior of the old RCMP building in the community of Fogo, located at 54 Main Street, Fogo, NL. Interested parties can forward their business information, a brief description, and general terms and conditions to: Fogo Island Pride ℅ Evan Parsons P.O. Box 342 Fogo, NL A0G 2B0 or by email: [email protected] Quotes will be accepted until April 5th, 2022. Fogo Island Pride has the right to:
If you have any questions or you wish to view the property in question; please contact Evan Parsons at (709) 989-1687 or by e-mail at [email protected].
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  Fogo Island Pride would like to express our disappointment and concern over the recent announcement made by the Bank of Nova Scotia to close the Fogo Island Scotiabank branch effective August 10th, 2022 as part of consolidation efforts in Atlantic Canada.
In the days since the announcement was made, Fogo Islanders and their supporters have taken to social media, radio and television to express their shock and anger at this decision. The reaction has been swift, passionate and damning. Although many have argued, pleaded for reconsideration, it has been made clear on several occasions that this decision is final. While many might regard our efforts as acts of desperation, begging an organization to take our money, the truth is likely far more complicated. To put it simply, Fogo Islanders are hurt. With over a century of faithful service and support, some believe it is nothing less than a betrayal - leaving Fogo Islanders questioning how such a strong relationship could break down so quickly and without warning. Naturally, anger follows when answers bring little comfort or clarity. As a non-profit organization which has committed to advocating for marginalized or otherwise disenfranchised persons, we believe this decision will ultimately have a long-lasting, negative impact on our community’s most vulnerable populations. Further, it is our fear that the inherent barriers imposed on our citizens by nature of our remote and isolated location will be further intensified; stagnating both economic and social growth, and limiting our collective capacity for entrepreneurial activity, innovation and diversification. While not exhaustive, the following examples are provided to demonstrate the potential impact we anticipate:
What are we doing? Fogo Island Pride is exploring ways we can support local (and emerging) entrepreneurs as they transition to digital money management options. We have integrated the use of cash-less methods of payment into our own practices and we are willing to help those who have questions. Fogo Island Pride will continue working with localized partners on targeted, meaningful actions which support the continued economic development and diversification of Fogo Island. We welcome other organizations to collaborate with us as we advocate for our community. Call to Action The Town of Fogo Island has recently asked all residents to contact the office of the Scotiabank President and CEO - referencing case # OPCS - 39878 - to express their concern and dissatisfaction at this decision. Using the arguments presented here, we are calling on our supporters to do the same. Write, call or email using the information provided below: Write The President Scotiabank 44 King Street West Toronto, ON M5H 1H1 Call English: 1 (877) 700-0043 French: 1 (877) 700-0043 [email protected] Statement of Transparency: Evan Parsons, co-founder, director and board member of Fogo Island Pride is presently employed by the Bank of Nova Scotia and has been directly impacted by this closure. However, to avoid a conflict of interest, they have abstained from all decisions relating to Fogo Island Pride’s position and the board has barred them from participating in sub-committee work advocating on this matter.  Fogo Island Pride, and our allies, as an organization that advocates for and supports all marginalized, vulnerable or otherwise disenfranchised people, stand in solidarity with the Indigenous communities of our province as we commemorate the inaugural Truth and Reconciliation Day.
While September 30th has been designated a ‘holiday’, we know there is nothing to celebrate for those who have been impacted by the residential school system. Rather, we have the privilege of time and space to critically reflect on the trauma and continuing harm of colonial, inherently racist systems which continue to oppress and systemically marginalize Indigenous Canadians. To consider how our individual and collective actions moving forward can mend the harm inflicted upon the first peoples of these lands and restore relationships scared by years of intergenerational trauma. Today is a day to reflect, take action, and commit to doing better. To leverage your power to empower those without, and create a stronger more inclusive community for all. To learn the truth about residential schools. To learn about the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth & Reconciliation Committee. To learn about the Indigenous peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador. To understand the importance of Indigenous culture, traditions, history and language. To honour Indigenous peoples so that we may decrease racism. To embed Indigenous voices and perspectives in our decision-making.  Fogo Island Pride is currently in the process of researching funding, grants, and asking for sponsorships to assist us in renovating the building we have obtained to start our community centre.
This community centre will provide Fogo Island with:
If you would like to sponsor Fogo Island Pride, volunteer to help restore the current building, or donate to us, please see below on how to do so. Sponsor: https://buff.ly/3wteWL4 Volunteer: https://buff.ly/36KV1fm Donate: https://buff.ly/3cM8O98  Fogo Island Pride, as an organization who advocates for and supports all marginalized, vulnerable or otherwise disenfranchised peoples, stands in solidarity with those who have decided to modify, adapt or alter their Canada Day celebrations. In true spirit of reconciliation, we believe the ongoing (and past) uncovering of abuse, neglect and murder of hundreds of Indigenous children at the hands of our nation’s Residential School System warrants a day of sombre, purposeful reflection.
It is important for us to acknowledge that this is not ‘new’ information. Indigenous elders and community leaders have been telling us this history for years. We need to listen. We need to act. We need to do better. We know that we will never truly understand the impact of the generational trauma suffered by Indigenous people at the hands of our nation’s government and religious institutions. However, we must recognize that it is our collective responsibility to bring equity and justice to a systemically racist, colonialist system which continues to oppress this land’s first people. We encourage all Fogo Islanders to forgo the typical fun and festivities associated with Canada Day. This is not a ‘typical’ year. Restoring a broken relationship begins with the acceptance of harm done. This is our opportunity to accept that the privileges we enjoy each and every day have been at the expense of others. That we are willing to listen. To act. To do better. Call to Action: Fogo Island Pride respectfully requests that you spend Canada Day learning about and reflecting on the atrocities of our nation’s residential school system. That you seek out ways to support and advocate for the Indigenous peoples of Canada.  Camp Ohana was selected as the 2021 Enigma: Mystery Art Auction recipient. They will receive 25% of all proceeds from this auction. Thank you to everyone who had submitted interest.
Please check out our Enigma: Mystery Art Auction which launches on Facebook on July 12th, 2021 at 12:00 PM NST  Photo by: Paddy Barry Our Co-Director Trevor Taylor had an interview with Darrell Roberts from The Independent, below you will find the article related to our contribution. For the full article click here.
Fogo Island Trevor Taylor is the co-founder and co-director of Fogo Island Pride. This year, festivities are taking place both in person and online from August 8 to 14. Pride week will include a community barbeque, a drag show, virtual queer trivia, and a bonfire night. Fogo Island Pride is holding an Enigma Mystery Art Auction to fundraise for the festival. Participants will be able to bid on art pieces via Facebook with proceeds being divided between Fogo Island Pride, the artist, and to a yet-to-be-determined community organization. Taylor says that Fogo Island Pride has evolved to become a community organization focused on helping anyone who is vulnerable or marginalized. Fogo Island Pride runs a food program for seniors, low income families, and other vulnerable members of the community. Taylor pushes back against the notion that Pride is no longer needed and 2SLGBTQIA+ people are not marginalized. “Slurs are still thrown around. I know that ‘gay’ is still used to mean ‘stupid’. I know that ‘fag’ is still used to be biting and insulting when they want to hit where it hurts,” Taylor says. “That education still needs to be there and visibility still needs to be there.” Taylor founded Fogo Island Pride in 2019 with his partner, Evan Parsons, because they saw a gap in representation for queer people in rural areas. He noticed young 2SLGBTQIA+ people moving away from home to urban places where they felt comfortable coming out. “We knew that there are queer people in the community, but the voice just wasn’t there,” he says. Fogo Island Pride is meant to create a space for 2SLGBTQIA+ people across Fogo Island to be themselves while still living at home. “I think it’s exceptionally important to make everybody know that there are people here. Your people are here.”  Our Co-Director, Trevor Taylor was interviewed by Martin Jones of the CBC Central Morning Show. You can find the full podcast here.
 This year, Fogo Island Pride participated in World Ocean's Day. Members of our committee cleaned up a beach located in the community of Fogo. They managed to take five garbage bags full, a tire, and multiple steering wheels that were left to rust away. Check out our social media post and thank you from World Ocean's Day - Newfoundland & Labrador and our YouTube video below showing our progress. Facebook Post  CMHA is offering mental health training to residents of Fogo Island. Fogo Island Pride has requested this training from CMHA to gain knowledge, educate, and provide support to the people of Fogo Island.
The following free two-day training course takes place on May 22 & 23, 2021. Please see the course synopsis below. "Changing Minds is an innovative, multi-use, mental illness education program. It was created to address a community need for mental health education, stigma reduction and to provide a better understanding of mental health and mental illness. This two-day workshop highlights a practical hands-on model for front-line intervention including complex mental health problems, mania and mood swings, psychosis and autism. The workshop also provides an in-depth understanding of mental illness from the perspective of those with lived experience." If you would like to express interest in attending this course, please contact Fogo Island Pride by email: [email protected] or by calling (709) 989-1687. Fogo Island Pride will provide this training course to people in priority, who directly impact and associate with mental health. (e.g. Teachers, First Responders, Businesses, Nonprofit Organizations, etc.) |
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Fogo Island Pride 2022. All rights reserved.
Fogo Island Pride is a federally registered nonprofit organization. It adheres to all federal policies and regulations related to non-profit organizations. All money and profits go directly back into the community as a whole. For more information please contact us directly.