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Gord: By Wednesday I will have pictures from the Sapawe Gold Mine trip, if you want them. The Atikokan Mining Attraction has been successful in obtaining a second year's funding for the Manager position thus allowing Shawn Allaire to again resume duties with the organization. Our reporter, Shawn Allaire, sat down with the Manager recently to talk about the past year and the forthcoming one. (AP= Progress reporter Shawn / AMAA= Manager Shawn) AP Congratulations. Were you surprised at receiving the second year's funding? AMAA I guess I was a little. Going into the second year application process in February of this year, we (the Board of the AMAA) could point to a lot of learning that had taken place, and a large rise in awareness of the organization, both locally and nationally through Shawn's efforts such as the newspaper articles and the websites. While our efforts at raising large sums to support our operations were, perhaps, less than successful, our local efforts met with modest successes. The Christmas Non-Event, for instance, generated at least as much comment as it did funds. So we had accomplishments we could cite to Trillium emphasizing that the first year grant allowed us to begin to build a strong foundation. A second year grant would be necessary to continue to expand on that foundation. In my opinion, the work done in the first year led logically into a second year. I am happy that the people at Trillium felt the same way, but it was never a guarantee, so in that respect, yes, I was surprised (and relieved – having a job is so much better than being without one). AP: Looking back over the past year, what do you consider the highlights? AMAA: – me, moving to Atikokan, for the Trillium funded position – the website development – The Northern Miner article about John Weins -- my awe of the landscape at the pits – the radio (CBQ) and television interviews about the AMA and the websites – the increase in awareness of the organization locally and beyond – the Paint the Pits Party (small though it was), a very original idea – the Christmas Stay-at-Home, Non-Event, another very original idea – the Christmas Appetizer Social and website demonstration – the slide shows at the Pioneer Center and the Intergenerational Centre (one man drove all the way here from Thunder Bay just to see it) – the willingness of The Atikokan Progress to print what I wrote – working so well with the Chair and the Board – the chronicling of the current status of the pits, something no one else is doing – and, of course, obtaining the Trillium funding for the second year. AP: Were there any lessons learned in the past year? AMAA: Yes, there were a lot...One of the bigger ones was that just because I feel strongly about the worth of something, there is no guarantee that others will. This really comes to the fore in fundraising. Mine history, while a worthwhile historic subject, has few supporters in the large funding organizations. ...... AP: What are some of the things you are looking at for the upcoming year? AMAA: – amalgamation of the museum board and the AMAA board and the dynamics of that process. This will bring together the stories and history of the community and region for a unified voice. It is also in keeping with the strategic plan for the community, working toward the funding and construction of the Canoe Heritage Centre. – Funding on a smaller scale to support specific projects such as: – a full-colour brochure promoting the AMAA – founders' recognition ( on the website) – newspaper encapsulation to preserve the newspapers we have On a personal note, my upcoming month-long trip to Thailand is one of the bigger things I will do in my life. It ranks right up there with moving to Atikokan. AP: When do you start back full-time? AMAA: I started back full-time for the AMAA on Monday July 9th. And already I have been approached for photographs of the Caland rehabilitated site for publication in the first annual journal of the Canadian Land Reclamation Association. Also, Bill Beyer, Heather Schmutzer and I paid a visit out to the abandoned Sapawe Gold mine to take some photos. The Mining Attraction is slowly beginning to collect information on more than just Steep Rock and Caland. AP: What did you do during your time off? AMAA: My last day of work in the previous year's contract was May 18th. After my final day at the AMAA, I found myself doing a number of things simultaneously. On the Monday following that I began working as a reporter for the Progress. I also began, in mid-June, a short contract for the AEDC, and a freelance editing contract for a consultant in Thunder Bay, so I have kept myself busy. But I did set aside a lot of time for riding my bike and enjoying the beginning of summer. I am happy to be back at work however. Too much holiday does funny things to your brain, like slowly turning it to pudding. AP: For the past month or so I have seen a lot of your articles and pictures in the paper. So many people have told me how much they like reading your articles. Will you continue to write for The Progress? AMAA: Why yes, it is a very enjoyable experience, one that rarely seems like work (the garden articles, especially). And, it may be the first time in history that The Atikokan Progress will have a roving reporter in Thailand. As you know only too well, Shawn, you and I share a certain wordiness, and quirky outsider perspective that serves us well in both our jobs – you as a reporter and me as Manager of the AMAA, or is that the other way around, I sometimes forget. |
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