1 00:00:00,399 --> 00:00:00,866 Here we are in wakefield, quebec 2 00:00:02,503 --> 00:00:04,770 [cheering & applause] 3 00:00:04,839 --> 00:00:08,273 Wakefield is an intersection of two languages, 4 00:00:08,342 --> 00:00:11,210 Two highways, a river and a railway. 5 00:00:11,212 --> 00:00:15,781 But while the gatineau river runs on, your railway lies... 6 00:00:15,783 --> 00:00:17,282 Locomotion-less. 7 00:00:17,318 --> 00:00:18,517 [laughing] 8 00:00:18,519 --> 00:00:21,253 They used to run logs out of this area on the train. 9 00:00:21,255 --> 00:00:24,589 But by the time the logging industry declined in the 80s, 10 00:00:24,625 --> 00:00:26,458 That train had left the station. 11 00:00:26,460 --> 00:00:31,530 So, you guys put a very unique spin on what a lot of towns 12 00:00:31,665 --> 00:00:34,400 Had to do in the wake of lost industry, 13 00:00:34,535 --> 00:00:37,870 You decided to retrain. 14 00:00:37,872 --> 00:00:40,706 [laughing] 15 00:00:40,708 --> 00:00:42,340 Literally! 16 00:00:42,376 --> 00:00:44,610 You guys brought over a beautiful old 17 00:00:44,745 --> 00:00:48,146 19th century steam train. 18 00:00:48,282 --> 00:00:50,382 It would come up from hull through chelsea and it would 19 00:00:50,384 --> 00:00:54,686 Stop here in this gorgeous little artsy town surrounded by 20 00:00:54,688 --> 00:00:57,556 The natural beauty of the gatineau hills. 21 00:00:57,558 --> 00:01:00,358 If people had to pick their favorite train stop, 22 00:01:00,394 --> 00:01:04,830 Wakefield would win by a landslide. 23 00:01:04,965 --> 00:01:08,567 Unfortunately, there was a landslide. 24 00:01:08,702 --> 00:01:09,701 [laughing] 25 00:01:09,837 --> 00:01:12,771 Torrential rains caused the tracks to wash out. 26 00:01:12,906 --> 00:01:14,506 There was a lot of damage. 27 00:01:14,575 --> 00:01:17,809 The reality of the situation was, well, 28 00:01:17,845 --> 00:01:22,180 Let's just say reality bites. Or maybe reality chews, 29 00:01:22,216 --> 00:01:24,449 Or in your case, reality choo-choos. 30 00:01:24,518 --> 00:01:26,285 [laughing] 31 00:01:26,420 --> 00:01:27,519 I don't mean to make light there. 32 00:01:27,654 --> 00:01:29,454 I can't imagine how gutting it was. 33 00:01:29,523 --> 00:01:31,556 I get frustrated when I lose my train of thought. 34 00:01:31,592 --> 00:01:34,192 [laughing] 35 00:01:34,261 --> 00:01:36,528 When you grow up in a small town in newfoundland, 36 00:01:36,663 --> 00:01:38,864 You see the people have a sense of humor about hard times. 37 00:01:38,999 --> 00:01:39,931 Check, check. 38 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:42,301 I turned that into a career and hit the road. 39 00:01:42,303 --> 00:01:44,369 Mister jonny harris! 40 00:01:44,438 --> 00:01:46,638 Now I'm on a mission to find the funny in the places 41 00:01:46,773 --> 00:01:48,273 You'd least expect it, 42 00:01:48,275 --> 00:01:50,142 Canada struggling small towns. 43 00:01:50,277 --> 00:01:53,411 Towns that are against the ropes, but hanging in there. 44 00:01:53,447 --> 00:01:56,281 Still laughing in the face of adversity. 45 00:01:56,317 --> 00:01:58,584 This is wakefield, quebec. 46 00:01:58,586 --> 00:02:02,788 ♪ 47 00:02:02,790 --> 00:02:05,290 [cheering & applause] 48 00:02:05,425 --> 00:02:08,927 The steam train is far from wakefield's only tourism draw. 49 00:02:08,963 --> 00:02:11,596 You know, just one of your several attractions here, 50 00:02:11,632 --> 00:02:14,600 The gendron bridge, a picturesque, 51 00:02:14,602 --> 00:02:18,303 Covered bridge that is every bit as beautiful 52 00:02:18,438 --> 00:02:20,639 As it is flammable. 53 00:02:20,774 --> 00:02:22,674 [laughs] 54 00:02:22,743 --> 00:02:24,576 In the mid-80s, someone pushed a car out 55 00:02:24,612 --> 00:02:26,912 Onto that bridge and lit it on fire. 56 00:02:26,914 --> 00:02:29,915 However, fortunately, the bridge was rebuilt. 57 00:02:29,984 --> 00:02:31,650 It looks better than ever. 58 00:02:31,785 --> 00:02:34,385 I understand that locals affectionately refer to it 59 00:02:34,421 --> 00:02:36,354 As the "kissing bridge”. 60 00:02:36,356 --> 00:02:38,657 Although that bridge has at least two bases. 61 00:02:38,659 --> 00:02:40,358 Is it just for kissing? 62 00:02:40,427 --> 00:02:43,394 [laughing & applauding] 63 00:02:43,430 --> 00:02:46,965 ♪ 64 00:02:47,001 --> 00:02:48,767 I went and I had a chat with the owner of 65 00:02:48,902 --> 00:02:51,336 La confiserie candy shop. 66 00:02:51,471 --> 00:02:55,207 This store, it lost 40% of its business overnight 67 00:02:55,342 --> 00:02:56,575 When the train stopped running. 68 00:02:56,710 --> 00:02:57,943 He was heartbroken. 69 00:02:58,012 --> 00:03:00,412 But he still has a lot of love for wakefield. 70 00:03:00,481 --> 00:03:03,949 Maybe as a chocolatier that makes him bittersweet, 71 00:03:03,951 --> 00:03:05,683 Marc fournier. 72 00:03:05,719 --> 00:03:08,420 [cheering & applause] 73 00:03:08,489 --> 00:03:11,456 Marc told me about this idea to buy this 74 00:03:11,458 --> 00:03:13,959 Beautiful old steam engine. 75 00:03:14,028 --> 00:03:18,931 The 909 locomotive was brought in from sweden actually, 76 00:03:19,066 --> 00:03:21,433 As a tourist attraction for the village 77 00:03:21,502 --> 00:03:23,936 The only thing with bringing the train over from sweden is 78 00:03:24,071 --> 00:03:25,971 You know you, got to put it together yourself with 79 00:03:26,106 --> 00:03:28,507 An allen key and some dodgy instructions. 80 00:03:28,509 --> 00:03:30,409 [laughing] 81 00:03:30,411 --> 00:03:33,378 They spell caboose with a "u" and an umlaut, it's... 82 00:03:33,513 --> 00:03:35,013 [laughing] 83 00:03:35,049 --> 00:03:37,583 It was basically like the main attraction in the village. 84 00:03:37,718 --> 00:03:40,051 You see this big 93-ton locomotive just 85 00:03:40,087 --> 00:03:41,653 Running along the tracks here. 86 00:03:41,655 --> 00:03:43,855 And the steam, you know, the whole thing going, 87 00:03:43,891 --> 00:03:45,857 It would just create a... 88 00:03:45,926 --> 00:03:47,792 A spectacle, a nice spectacle. 89 00:03:47,861 --> 00:03:50,963 Marc had told me about the turntable which is still there. 90 00:03:51,098 --> 00:03:53,065 The train turned around at the turntable, 91 00:03:53,067 --> 00:03:54,967 Which is a manually operated turntable, 92 00:03:55,102 --> 00:03:56,501 The only one in canada. 93 00:03:56,503 --> 00:03:59,471 So, you had two or three people start to push the locomotive. 94 00:03:59,540 --> 00:04:01,740 - It would spin around. - That's unbelievable. 95 00:04:01,742 --> 00:04:04,676 We were 100 feet from the turntable itself. 96 00:04:04,678 --> 00:04:06,678 Marc's place, it's right across the street from 97 00:04:06,714 --> 00:04:08,513 Where they would turn the train around. 98 00:04:08,649 --> 00:04:11,617 Like to have a candy shop. That's the sweet spot. 99 00:04:11,752 --> 00:04:13,652 [laughing] 100 00:04:13,721 --> 00:04:14,720 And business was booming. 101 00:04:14,722 --> 00:04:16,554 He said the train brought in something like 102 00:04:16,624 --> 00:04:19,924 $10 million annually to this community. 103 00:04:19,960 --> 00:04:22,994 A regular full train would be about 504 people. 104 00:04:23,063 --> 00:04:25,697 They'd stay for a two hour stay in the village. 105 00:04:25,766 --> 00:04:27,632 Give them a chance to go visit the shops, 106 00:04:27,701 --> 00:04:30,035 Eat at the restaurants, take in the attractions. 107 00:04:30,037 --> 00:04:32,037 On the weekends, he said it was twice as many. 108 00:04:32,172 --> 00:04:34,806 The train will come up once in the day and once in the evening. 109 00:04:34,875 --> 00:04:37,042 A little bit less shopping in the evening. 110 00:04:37,111 --> 00:04:40,511 It wasn't here as long, just as long as it took to turn around. 111 00:04:40,547 --> 00:04:41,747 I think about 20 minutes. 112 00:04:41,882 --> 00:04:43,915 We would just rush to the store when we heard the whistle. 113 00:04:43,917 --> 00:04:45,851 Open the shop for about 20 minutes. 114 00:04:45,986 --> 00:04:49,587 And, I mean, we'd make as much as we made all day on that day. 115 00:04:49,657 --> 00:04:52,523 That's pretty good for your night shift, 20 minutes. 116 00:04:52,559 --> 00:04:56,361 Meanwhile, I'm up here busting my ass for like almost an hour. 117 00:04:56,496 --> 00:04:58,130 [laughing] 118 00:04:58,132 --> 00:05:00,065 June 23rd, 2011, 119 00:05:00,200 --> 00:05:03,735 We had a record rainfall within 24 hours. 120 00:05:03,870 --> 00:05:06,004 That rain took everything away. 121 00:05:06,139 --> 00:05:09,674 The repair bill was so astronomically high that 122 00:05:09,743 --> 00:05:12,477 People started talking about the idea of converting like 123 00:05:12,479 --> 00:05:14,512 The rails to trails idea, right? 124 00:05:14,581 --> 00:05:16,881 So, that you'd make the route accessible for 125 00:05:16,917 --> 00:05:18,884 Hikers and bikers and whatnot. 126 00:05:19,019 --> 00:05:20,952 Ultimately, what happened then was the 127 00:05:21,021 --> 00:05:23,588 Town just down the line, chelsea, 128 00:05:23,590 --> 00:05:27,458 They committed to that idea and pulled their rails up. 129 00:05:27,494 --> 00:05:28,559 We saw it coming. 130 00:05:28,595 --> 00:05:30,562 I mean, this was an ongoing thing. 131 00:05:30,631 --> 00:05:32,430 And we knew the tracks would be removed and 132 00:05:32,466 --> 00:05:33,765 That was kind of... 133 00:05:33,901 --> 00:05:34,633 It was a bummer. 134 00:05:34,768 --> 00:05:36,835 It became very quiet in the village. 135 00:05:36,837 --> 00:05:38,703 And once they did that... 136 00:05:38,706 --> 00:05:40,972 They sort of took the decision out of your hands. 137 00:05:41,008 --> 00:05:43,141 I don't want to make it sound like they railroaded you but... 138 00:05:43,210 --> 00:05:45,443 [laughing] 139 00:05:45,512 --> 00:05:48,046 That's a terrible way of putting it. 140 00:05:48,181 --> 00:05:50,448 Maybe they un-railroaded you. I'm not sure. 141 00:05:50,517 --> 00:05:52,117 [laughing] 142 00:05:52,186 --> 00:05:54,452 I've seen a lot of cyclists come in, 143 00:05:54,588 --> 00:05:55,920 Hardcore cyclists too. 144 00:05:55,989 --> 00:05:59,424 All the gear, you know, in the spandex suits. 145 00:05:59,559 --> 00:06:01,059 I know some of the locals joke around, 146 00:06:01,194 --> 00:06:02,860 Call them the spandex tourists. 147 00:06:02,896 --> 00:06:04,595 [laughing] 148 00:06:04,631 --> 00:06:06,131 You know maybe they don't do as much shopping 149 00:06:06,200 --> 00:06:08,133 As the train tourists. 150 00:06:08,268 --> 00:06:10,068 I guess that's partly 'cause they can't take stuff 151 00:06:10,203 --> 00:06:11,870 With them, you know. It's like... 152 00:06:12,005 --> 00:06:14,206 Well, that's one trouble with spandex shorts, you know, 153 00:06:14,208 --> 00:06:16,841 You got no room for your junk. Or for your stuff. 154 00:06:16,877 --> 00:06:18,610 For your, you know, for... 155 00:06:18,612 --> 00:06:20,078 Your goods, you know. 156 00:06:20,147 --> 00:06:30,522 [cheering & applauding] 157 00:06:30,657 --> 00:06:34,159 I found out that you guys have a 100% independently 158 00:06:34,228 --> 00:06:36,428 Owned and operated newspaper. 159 00:06:36,563 --> 00:06:38,196 And to get the inside scoop, 160 00:06:38,232 --> 00:06:41,633 I got some classified information from 161 00:06:41,768 --> 00:06:44,236 Its editor and owner, nikki mantell. 162 00:06:44,238 --> 00:06:48,706 [cheering & applauding] 163 00:06:48,742 --> 00:06:52,577 The full name of the paper is the lowdown: To hull and back. 164 00:06:52,579 --> 00:06:54,446 - It's a pun. - To hull and back? 165 00:06:54,581 --> 00:06:56,047 Yeah, "to hell and back”. 166 00:06:56,049 --> 00:06:58,583 Hull to the south, low to the north. 167 00:06:58,585 --> 00:06:59,651 Oh, okay, okay. 168 00:06:59,786 --> 00:07:02,254 It's a geographical reference and pun all at once. 169 00:07:02,256 --> 00:07:03,922 I thought that was pretty clever. 170 00:07:03,924 --> 00:07:07,859 So, it's from low down to hull and back. 171 00:07:07,895 --> 00:07:11,463 And "low down” also meaning news. 172 00:07:11,598 --> 00:07:12,730 When she explained that to me, I was like, 173 00:07:12,766 --> 00:07:14,266 Is she funnier than me? 174 00:07:14,268 --> 00:07:15,867 [laughing] 175 00:07:16,002 --> 00:07:20,071 That's a triple entendre. Very rare, very rare. 176 00:07:20,107 --> 00:07:22,607 My dad was a newsman from like way back. 177 00:07:22,609 --> 00:07:25,877 He had had to get a new job because the ottawa journal 178 00:07:25,946 --> 00:07:28,546 Folded, so he just one day decided that's it, 179 00:07:28,582 --> 00:07:30,015 I'm just gonna start my own newspaper. 180 00:07:30,150 --> 00:07:34,152 Her father started the lowdown back in 1973, 181 00:07:34,287 --> 00:07:36,154 When the ottawa journal folded. 182 00:07:36,156 --> 00:07:38,823 She said a lot of smaller newspapers folded. 183 00:07:38,826 --> 00:07:41,092 I said, "nikki, all newspapers folded. 184 00:07:41,128 --> 00:07:43,561 That's how they would fit them in the mailboxes”. 185 00:07:43,597 --> 00:07:45,763 I was rattled about the triple entendre. 186 00:07:45,799 --> 00:07:47,598 [laughing] 187 00:07:47,634 --> 00:07:49,601 Most the time, we have lots of great news stories. 188 00:07:49,603 --> 00:07:51,102 Sometimes we have really slow news days. 189 00:07:51,138 --> 00:07:53,238 Any news agency, you know, 190 00:07:53,307 --> 00:07:56,174 Suffers from a slow news day every now and then. 191 00:07:56,176 --> 00:07:59,777 But for a paper that's servicing small communities, 192 00:07:59,813 --> 00:08:01,779 That's the case even more so. 193 00:08:01,849 --> 00:08:03,715 That goes way back, I can remember... 194 00:08:03,784 --> 00:08:06,284 You know, sometimes my dad would put me on the front page. 195 00:08:06,286 --> 00:08:08,153 One year, it's just me and four photos, 196 00:08:08,155 --> 00:08:09,020 The entire front page. 197 00:08:09,155 --> 00:08:10,855 Walking through a puddle when I was two. 198 00:08:10,891 --> 00:08:12,223 We've, we've had some moments where we've had to 199 00:08:12,292 --> 00:08:14,926 Like find a front-page photo at the last minute. 200 00:08:14,962 --> 00:08:17,128 She said, sometimes she's got to, you know, 201 00:08:17,164 --> 00:08:20,665 Infuse a little spice, a little gravitas into 202 00:08:20,667 --> 00:08:23,935 A story that might not totally warrant it, right. 203 00:08:24,070 --> 00:08:26,805 Like she told me about a flashy headline she wrote one time. 204 00:08:26,940 --> 00:08:29,341 It said, "what is this thing? 205 00:08:29,343 --> 00:08:32,811 And why are the people of wakefield talking about it?” 206 00:08:32,946 --> 00:08:37,082 And then there was a picture of your town's new speed bump. 207 00:08:37,217 --> 00:08:40,085 [laughing] 208 00:08:40,220 --> 00:08:41,753 I mean, it was a speed bump, 209 00:08:41,822 --> 00:08:43,955 But like it was causing big controversy. 210 00:08:43,991 --> 00:08:45,957 And so, eventually, somebody took a backhoe and 211 00:08:45,993 --> 00:08:47,158 Ripped it out 'cause they didn't like it. 212 00:08:47,194 --> 00:08:49,027 So, it was news. 213 00:08:49,029 --> 00:08:51,029 That's a special edition of the lowdown. 214 00:08:51,031 --> 00:08:52,831 They call it the slowdown. 215 00:08:52,833 --> 00:08:54,366 [laughing] 216 00:08:54,368 --> 00:08:57,702 This area is so rich in characters and people 217 00:08:57,704 --> 00:08:58,937 Doing interesting things. 218 00:08:59,072 --> 00:09:01,372 It's so much fun covering this community. 219 00:09:01,408 --> 00:09:03,174 Nikki also talked to me about, you know, 220 00:09:03,210 --> 00:09:06,844 The fact that wakefield is much more than just a tourist town. 221 00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:08,847 She said it's an eclectic mix here. 222 00:09:08,849 --> 00:09:11,182 You know, there's bohemian business owners and 223 00:09:11,318 --> 00:09:14,185 Nature lovers and arts festivals. 224 00:09:14,187 --> 00:09:16,888 We are rich in artists and creativity. 225 00:09:16,890 --> 00:09:19,958 We have the writers' festival that brings in big authors. 226 00:09:20,093 --> 00:09:21,859 We have the black sheep inn, 227 00:09:21,895 --> 00:09:23,961 A music venue of incredible renown. 228 00:09:23,963 --> 00:09:25,930 She told me about the black sheep, 229 00:09:25,966 --> 00:09:30,135 Which began as a tavern for loggers in the 1920s and has 230 00:09:30,270 --> 00:09:33,071 Become one of the coolest underground music venues in 231 00:09:33,073 --> 00:09:36,207 The country featuring a who's who of talent, 232 00:09:36,243 --> 00:09:41,379 The likes of feist and blue rodeo, and kathleen edwards. 233 00:09:41,381 --> 00:09:43,815 I think james taylor should come and play here, 234 00:09:43,950 --> 00:09:46,151 Between your bridge and the rail wash outs. 235 00:09:46,286 --> 00:09:48,286 You've seen fire and you've seen rain. 236 00:09:48,421 --> 00:09:50,288 [laughing] 237 00:09:50,290 --> 00:09:52,791 [applauding] 238 00:09:59,733 --> 00:10:03,134 I met a father and son in wakefield who have made 239 00:10:03,136 --> 00:10:07,905 Their water way in the world with amazing results. 240 00:10:07,907 --> 00:10:11,075 Owners of eco-odyssey michel leclair and 241 00:10:11,144 --> 00:10:13,778 Olivier rocheleau-leclair. 242 00:10:13,780 --> 00:10:16,247 [cheering & applauding] 243 00:10:16,383 --> 00:10:19,050 Michel worked as a conservation officer 244 00:10:19,052 --> 00:10:21,085 In gatineau park for 40 years. 245 00:10:21,087 --> 00:10:23,120 He learned about the local wildlife, 246 00:10:23,123 --> 00:10:24,789 In particular, beavers. 247 00:10:24,858 --> 00:10:27,258 It was my job, working with beaver. 248 00:10:27,327 --> 00:10:29,994 I mean, resolving problem with beaver. 249 00:10:29,996 --> 00:10:32,997 He was featured on an episode of the nature of things 250 00:10:32,999 --> 00:10:35,700 Titled, the beaver whisperers. 251 00:10:35,768 --> 00:10:39,036 I don't know if they can air a show like that at 9pm on cbc. 252 00:10:39,106 --> 00:10:41,205 [laughing] 253 00:10:41,274 --> 00:10:45,943 Michel had a plot of land that wasn't much good for farming. 254 00:10:46,012 --> 00:10:48,446 But what he did have was a vision. 255 00:10:48,582 --> 00:10:52,016 And I always have a— some idea about maze and I like maze. 256 00:10:52,018 --> 00:10:53,985 So, I said, I want to try it. 257 00:10:53,987 --> 00:10:58,089 Michel was fascinated not only with beavers, but with mazes. 258 00:10:58,158 --> 00:11:00,391 And a lot of people, I've met a lot of people who believe that 259 00:11:00,460 --> 00:11:03,761 Mazes, that there's something very spiritual about them, 260 00:11:03,830 --> 00:11:05,163 Meditative about them, you know, 261 00:11:05,231 --> 00:11:07,031 You can really lose yourself in them. 262 00:11:07,033 --> 00:11:09,200 [laughing] 263 00:11:09,202 --> 00:11:13,838 Locals and tourists alike agree now eco-odysee is crazy cool. 264 00:11:13,840 --> 00:11:15,173 But while they were building it, 265 00:11:15,175 --> 00:11:17,175 I think some people just thought they were crazy. 266 00:11:17,243 --> 00:11:19,043 [laughing] 267 00:11:19,178 --> 00:11:20,845 But at the beginning, when you look at it, 268 00:11:20,847 --> 00:11:23,715 What a crazy thing to take a shovel and dig trench 269 00:11:23,783 --> 00:11:25,783 Like that in the middle of the field. 270 00:11:25,852 --> 00:11:28,919 I mean, myself, I will say the same thing. He's crazy. 271 00:11:28,989 --> 00:11:32,057 But the crowning moment of this momentous project 272 00:11:32,125 --> 00:11:33,324 Was about to come. 273 00:11:33,460 --> 00:11:36,060 Once the maze was all dug out properly, 274 00:11:36,062 --> 00:11:40,531 They went to the nearby stream, and they just built in on the 275 00:11:40,533 --> 00:11:44,001 Sides of the stream, so that the water became focused. 276 00:11:44,003 --> 00:11:47,138 And in that part, the water begins to run a bit faster, 277 00:11:47,140 --> 00:11:51,042 And it begins to make noise, and that attracts the beavers. 278 00:11:51,111 --> 00:11:53,344 They came and they built the dam, 279 00:11:53,480 --> 00:11:55,480 And the water began to back up. 280 00:11:55,548 --> 00:11:59,417 And suddenly, this crazy maze of trenches fills up the 281 00:11:59,419 --> 00:12:01,285 Perfect amount with water. 282 00:12:01,354 --> 00:12:04,555 All olivier and michel had to do is sit back and 283 00:12:04,558 --> 00:12:06,424 Leave it to beavers. 284 00:12:06,492 --> 00:12:08,026 [laughing] 285 00:12:08,028 --> 00:12:10,060 Are you relying on the beavers to dam a 286 00:12:10,063 --> 00:12:11,796 Certain area to flood it? 287 00:12:11,865 --> 00:12:12,897 Yeah. 288 00:12:12,966 --> 00:12:14,866 Is that a gamble, a risk? 289 00:12:14,868 --> 00:12:17,168 No, no, it's forty years of experience. 290 00:12:17,170 --> 00:12:20,504 He knew what they would do. He understands their behavior. 291 00:12:20,574 --> 00:12:23,374 And now, you have eco-odysee, 292 00:12:23,443 --> 00:12:27,378 A six-kilometer water maze with over 60 intersections. 293 00:12:27,380 --> 00:12:29,914 We are promoting, like... 294 00:12:29,916 --> 00:12:31,916 Very unique experience. 295 00:12:31,918 --> 00:12:35,920 You live and see the beaver habitat. 296 00:12:35,989 --> 00:12:38,856 They opened in 2008 and the following year, 297 00:12:38,925 --> 00:12:42,193 They won a canadian tourism award for best new business. 298 00:12:42,195 --> 00:12:44,395 And they are pulling in big numbers. 299 00:12:44,464 --> 00:12:49,133 Last year, eco-odysee brought in 35,000 visitors. 300 00:12:49,135 --> 00:12:53,204 And all of this because michel is, much like a beaver, 301 00:12:53,206 --> 00:12:55,606 Determined and industrious. 302 00:12:55,609 --> 00:12:58,176 He didn't need a voice in the cornfield going, 303 00:12:58,244 --> 00:13:02,012 "if you build it, they will come”. Right? 304 00:13:02,082 --> 00:13:05,950 He knew, if I build it, they will come, damn it. 305 00:13:05,952 --> 00:13:07,418 They will come dam it. 306 00:13:07,420 --> 00:13:09,520 [laughing] 307 00:13:09,589 --> 00:13:11,389 [applauding] 308 00:13:11,524 --> 00:13:16,027 ♪ 309 00:13:16,029 --> 00:13:19,364 If you are feeling famished and you find you have fine dining 310 00:13:19,432 --> 00:13:23,034 And wine on your mind, look no further than a cozy restaurant. 311 00:13:23,102 --> 00:13:26,437 The food is a mix of indigenous and french and 312 00:13:26,506 --> 00:13:30,040 So is the owner, wapokunie riel-lachapelle. 313 00:13:30,110 --> 00:13:33,044 [cheering & applauding] 314 00:13:33,112 --> 00:13:35,246 Her father was a hunter, and he was the one who 315 00:13:35,248 --> 00:13:37,448 Taught her about traditional indigenous foods. 316 00:13:37,584 --> 00:13:40,051 My dad never stopped going hunting and I remember 317 00:13:40,119 --> 00:13:42,186 Growing up here in wakefield, 318 00:13:42,188 --> 00:13:45,256 And I would like go to school with either like a... 319 00:13:45,391 --> 00:13:48,359 Like partridge sandwich or my dad would make pate, 320 00:13:48,427 --> 00:13:51,596 So hare pate, like, on bannock. 321 00:13:51,598 --> 00:13:54,131 Being metis, she felt different. 322 00:13:54,200 --> 00:13:58,669 She recalls being embarrassed at school opening her lunchbox 323 00:13:58,671 --> 00:14:03,407 And she'd have something like hare pate on bannock, right. 324 00:14:03,476 --> 00:14:06,210 And all the other kids had fruit roll ups. 325 00:14:06,212 --> 00:14:07,411 [laughing] 326 00:14:07,480 --> 00:14:10,281 I remember just being like, I want to eat this sandwich and 327 00:14:10,350 --> 00:14:12,583 I love it, but people are gonna make fun of me. 328 00:14:12,652 --> 00:14:14,619 And my name is wapokunie, and my dad has a braid. 329 00:14:14,754 --> 00:14:16,487 [laughing] 330 00:14:16,489 --> 00:14:19,156 She said it's hard to fade into the background 331 00:14:19,225 --> 00:14:22,226 When your dad is indigenous and has a braid. 332 00:14:22,228 --> 00:14:25,029 Although I would say not as bad as if your dad 333 00:14:25,098 --> 00:14:27,431 Is not indigenous and has a braid. 334 00:14:27,500 --> 00:14:29,567 [laughing] 335 00:14:29,569 --> 00:14:32,136 I see your dad has a braid. Is he indigenous? 336 00:14:32,271 --> 00:14:35,573 No, he's into, he's into the grateful dead. 337 00:14:35,641 --> 00:14:37,708 [laughing] 338 00:14:37,711 --> 00:14:39,944 I love cooking and I love food. 339 00:14:40,012 --> 00:14:42,446 And there's just so many different variants of things 340 00:14:42,515 --> 00:14:43,648 That you can do. 341 00:14:43,716 --> 00:14:48,252 Her menu puts a very creative twist on traditional, okay. 342 00:14:48,254 --> 00:14:51,055 Like she does a grilled cheese sandwich. 343 00:14:51,057 --> 00:14:54,258 This is the fanciest grilled cheese sandwich 344 00:14:54,327 --> 00:14:55,459 I've ever laid eyes on. 345 00:14:55,528 --> 00:14:57,729 I thought I did a pretty good grilled cheese sandwich. 346 00:14:57,731 --> 00:15:00,064 I consider myself a bit of a grilled cheese man, okay. 347 00:15:00,133 --> 00:15:04,669 Her grilled cheese sandwich, it is made on wild blueberry 348 00:15:04,737 --> 00:15:09,506 Bannock with aged cheddar cheese, pulled duck, 349 00:15:09,576 --> 00:15:17,115 Crispy kale, and onions sautéed in white wine and maple syrup. 350 00:15:17,117 --> 00:15:19,283 - This is delicious. - Thank you. 351 00:15:19,285 --> 00:15:21,085 I felt like a bit of an idiot, do you know what I mean? 352 00:15:21,087 --> 00:15:23,153 I was like, oh, right, yeah, that sounds pretty good. 353 00:15:23,223 --> 00:15:25,356 So what, so no kraft single? Hm... 354 00:15:25,491 --> 00:15:27,625 Yeah, I guess you could try that, sure. 355 00:15:27,693 --> 00:15:30,561 There's a lot of high-end dishes on the menu, 356 00:15:30,630 --> 00:15:33,464 But she also tries to create meals that aren't gonna break 357 00:15:33,466 --> 00:15:36,200 The bank, especially if people want to bring their family. 358 00:15:36,202 --> 00:15:37,702 So she tries to have a kid's menu. 359 00:15:37,704 --> 00:15:40,138 I have like a, like an elk sausage hot dog 360 00:15:40,140 --> 00:15:41,072 On the kid's menu. 361 00:15:41,207 --> 00:15:44,309 She was telling me she had wild elk hot dogs, 362 00:15:44,377 --> 00:15:47,645 Which sounded pretty wild to me. 363 00:15:47,647 --> 00:15:49,513 I can't imagine eating a hot dog and 364 00:15:49,582 --> 00:15:51,315 Knowing where the meat comes from. 365 00:15:51,317 --> 00:15:53,250 [laughing] 366 00:15:53,252 --> 00:15:55,553 [cheering & applauding] 367 00:15:58,358 --> 00:16:02,060 ♪ 368 00:16:02,194 --> 00:16:05,530 If you are looking for an adrenaline rush in wakefield, 369 00:16:05,598 --> 00:16:10,100 I know a guy who can "steers" you in the right direction. 370 00:16:10,102 --> 00:16:13,237 By the way that direction is towards the center of the earth. 371 00:16:13,239 --> 00:16:14,339 [laughing] 372 00:16:14,407 --> 00:16:18,142 Executive director at great canadian bungee, nick steers. 373 00:16:18,144 --> 00:16:22,480 [cheering & applauding] 374 00:16:22,482 --> 00:16:25,349 Thrill seekers, adrenaline junkies come to this place. 375 00:16:25,351 --> 00:16:27,418 Nick said when he grew up here he was one of them. 376 00:16:27,420 --> 00:16:30,555 I was terrorizing this community in wakefield by 377 00:16:30,557 --> 00:16:33,224 Jumping off of cliffs and jumping off of bridges. 378 00:16:33,292 --> 00:16:35,693 Your typical teenage overconfident 379 00:16:35,695 --> 00:16:39,096 Testosterone-filled young man that was looking for the 380 00:16:39,098 --> 00:16:40,498 Biggest and baddest thing to do. 381 00:16:40,500 --> 00:16:42,667 He went up to great canadian bungee. 382 00:16:42,669 --> 00:16:45,369 And he did his first jump. 383 00:16:45,371 --> 00:16:48,539 And he said he was hooked... 384 00:16:48,541 --> 00:16:50,374 Into a harness, thank god. 385 00:16:50,442 --> 00:16:51,442 [laughing] 386 00:16:51,510 --> 00:16:54,679 But he said he loved it. And he started working there. 387 00:16:54,681 --> 00:16:57,582 [screaming] 388 00:16:57,584 --> 00:17:00,818 It's like the story of starting in a company at the ground up, 389 00:17:00,820 --> 00:17:02,286 Like it doesn't go any lower. 390 00:17:02,288 --> 00:17:03,855 I was at water level, you know. 391 00:17:03,857 --> 00:17:06,490 You start at the ground level, or they call it the water level. 392 00:17:06,626 --> 00:17:09,127 You know, you're fishing people out of the water 393 00:17:09,129 --> 00:17:10,394 After their jump. 394 00:17:10,463 --> 00:17:14,432 And he became a jump-master at the age of 18, 395 00:17:14,500 --> 00:17:17,534 The lowest legal age you can have that position. 396 00:17:17,537 --> 00:17:20,171 And you know, those guys, they're working hard up there. 397 00:17:20,173 --> 00:17:21,705 They're working farming hours. 398 00:17:21,708 --> 00:17:24,341 What happens on a busy day in the summer is there's 399 00:17:24,343 --> 00:17:27,812 Bodies flinging through the air at 5:30, 6am. 400 00:17:27,880 --> 00:17:30,347 And we will go all the way through till sunset. 401 00:17:30,416 --> 00:17:32,483 Our cycle time is five minutes, which is about 402 00:17:32,551 --> 00:17:35,152 170 jumps through the day. 403 00:17:35,221 --> 00:17:36,420 While that is happening, 404 00:17:36,422 --> 00:17:38,322 The zip line is going with its own crew. 405 00:17:38,457 --> 00:17:41,559 So, it literally is a fun factory. 406 00:17:41,561 --> 00:17:43,828 You know, it's not only fun, it's a feeder for other 407 00:17:43,830 --> 00:17:45,830 Businesses in the community. 408 00:17:45,832 --> 00:17:47,732 People come from far and wide. 409 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:50,368 And after they've done their zip line or their bungee jump, 410 00:17:50,370 --> 00:17:52,436 There's a good chance to head into town and have 411 00:17:52,438 --> 00:17:54,305 A bite to eat or do some shopping. 412 00:17:54,373 --> 00:17:56,240 'cause let's face it, pretty good chance 413 00:17:56,242 --> 00:17:58,309 You lost your lunch and messed your pants. 414 00:17:58,311 --> 00:18:01,445 [laughing] 415 00:18:01,514 --> 00:18:03,447 I figured I would try the zip line. 416 00:18:03,516 --> 00:18:04,649 Get up on the scale now. 417 00:18:04,651 --> 00:18:07,184 Before I went up, you gotta weigh in. 418 00:18:07,186 --> 00:18:09,653 There's a young woman mary there who's helping me. 419 00:18:09,722 --> 00:18:13,690 They weigh you and they write your weight on your hand. 420 00:18:13,760 --> 00:18:15,859 Get to the top and jeremy and ian are there, 421 00:18:15,929 --> 00:18:17,661 And they're strapping me into this thing. 422 00:18:17,730 --> 00:18:20,765 They're going through this checklist of stuff. 423 00:18:20,767 --> 00:18:23,200 It reminded me of like top gun when they're getting 424 00:18:23,202 --> 00:18:25,469 Ready to launch tom cruise's f14. 425 00:18:25,471 --> 00:18:26,837 These two guys are talking to each other. 426 00:18:26,906 --> 00:18:28,673 They're like "okay, trolley on the cable. Check. 427 00:18:28,675 --> 00:18:30,741 All buckles tight. And auto lock squeeze check. 428 00:18:30,877 --> 00:18:32,176 Good. Check. Tension feels good. 429 00:18:32,245 --> 00:18:33,744 Repeat. Tension feels good." 430 00:18:33,746 --> 00:18:36,180 [laughing] 431 00:18:36,248 --> 00:18:38,415 Oh, jesus murphy! 432 00:18:38,551 --> 00:18:40,417 And then boom, you're off. 433 00:18:40,486 --> 00:18:43,888 Whoa! Woo! 434 00:18:43,890 --> 00:18:45,556 Really does feel like a fighter jet. 435 00:18:45,558 --> 00:18:49,894 You're flying over this quarry at an insane speed. 436 00:18:49,962 --> 00:18:52,563 And you're looking around, you can see for miles. 437 00:18:52,632 --> 00:18:55,333 And then there's the white rock, turquoise water. 438 00:18:55,335 --> 00:18:58,636 It's every bit as beautiful as it is terrifying. 439 00:18:58,638 --> 00:19:00,338 [laughing] 440 00:19:00,340 --> 00:19:02,173 It really does feel like a fighter jet because 441 00:19:02,241 --> 00:19:03,641 You hit the brake. 442 00:19:03,643 --> 00:19:05,576 Woo! Oh mercy! 443 00:19:05,578 --> 00:19:06,711 [laughing] 444 00:19:06,779 --> 00:19:09,180 And it is sudden deceleration. It's like when the fighter jets 445 00:19:09,248 --> 00:19:12,249 Land on the carrier and they hook that toe hooky thing. 446 00:19:12,251 --> 00:19:13,784 Amazing! 447 00:19:13,786 --> 00:19:15,253 And then they start to lower you down. 448 00:19:15,255 --> 00:19:16,654 And that's the least cool part. 449 00:19:16,656 --> 00:19:17,788 It's sort of hard to find your feet. 450 00:19:17,924 --> 00:19:21,425 You're sort of dangling all fours and it's like somebody 451 00:19:21,427 --> 00:19:23,461 Laying a cat down, do you know what I mean? Like... 452 00:19:23,529 --> 00:19:24,695 [laughing] 453 00:19:24,763 --> 00:19:27,865 You sort of go from maverick to mittens right at the end, but... 454 00:19:27,867 --> 00:19:29,533 [laughing] 455 00:19:29,602 --> 00:19:34,538 ♪ 456 00:19:34,607 --> 00:19:36,941 You know, when the train stopped coming to wakefield 457 00:19:36,943 --> 00:19:38,141 There was a lot of questions. 458 00:19:38,143 --> 00:19:41,479 I feel like a lot of people have already found some answers. 459 00:19:41,481 --> 00:19:44,681 You can go to eco-odysee to paddle past beavers or 460 00:19:44,684 --> 00:19:46,483 The black sheep to see a band. 461 00:19:46,485 --> 00:19:49,887 Or rip right over a rock quarry with your heart in your throat 462 00:19:49,889 --> 00:19:51,956 And your weight on your hand. 463 00:19:52,024 --> 00:19:54,825 Grab the lowdown to see what's up in town. 464 00:19:54,894 --> 00:19:56,561 It only costs a loonie. 465 00:19:56,629 --> 00:19:58,696 And then you can get your fill of duck poutine, 466 00:19:58,698 --> 00:20:01,565 Down the street with wapokunie. 467 00:20:01,634 --> 00:20:04,501 Canoes, kayaks, skiing and skating. 468 00:20:04,570 --> 00:20:06,704 Yeah, it's too bad the train has passed. 469 00:20:06,706 --> 00:20:08,873 But while you may not hear the whistle anymore, 470 00:20:08,875 --> 00:20:10,708 Wakefield is still a blast. 471 00:20:10,710 --> 00:20:12,676 Thanks for coming out, everybody. You've been great. 472 00:20:12,812 --> 00:20:14,712 We've had a wonderful time here. Thank you! 473 00:20:14,780 --> 00:20:19,850 [cheering & applauding] 474 00:20:19,986 --> 00:20:20,885 Headline tomorrow: 475 00:20:20,887 --> 00:20:22,853 "jonny harris brings the community together." 476 00:20:22,989 --> 00:20:25,790 We just need you to fill out this waiver first. 477 00:20:25,858 --> 00:20:29,827 Before I do this, should I "have my affairs in order"? 478 00:20:29,829 --> 00:20:31,796 No, I promise you. 479 00:20:31,864 --> 00:20:33,497 I honestly haven't lived like that on for really long time 480 00:20:33,566 --> 00:20:36,400 And I think that all the villagers really appreciated it. 481 00:20:36,402 --> 00:20:37,935 Please sign below. 482 00:20:38,004 --> 00:20:40,805 Should I put like, "all my best, jonny harris,” 483 00:20:40,873 --> 00:20:42,673 Or maybe just jonny? 484 00:20:42,808 --> 00:20:44,675 Yeah, just sign, yeah. 485 00:20:44,677 --> 00:20:48,813 I've never felt so much like an f-14 tomcat. 486 00:20:48,815 --> 00:20:52,416 [laughing] 487 00:20:52,485 --> 00:20:54,718 It was nice for the community to get together and 488 00:20:54,720 --> 00:20:56,320 Blow off some steam. 489 00:20:56,388 --> 00:21:05,229 ♪