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Grassroots organizations have a critical role in supporting learning within many urban communities (Sobeck, Agius, & Mayers, 2007). Unfortunately, many informal organizations are short-lived as funding disappears and volunteer participation wanes. The Unspun Heroes, an informal fibre arts group committed to learning and developing skills related to local fibre arts culture, has been in existence so long that when queried, the members could not easily determine its origins. Through an exploration of 16 Heroes' experiences over the course of one year, it was determined that the Heroes community is sustained, supports learning, and survives at least in part because its organization mirrors that of an informal community of practice (CoP), which supports local community cohesion, intergenerational learning, and positive community action. In this research, the roles and responsibilities of the members within the CoP, as well as the characteristics of the CoP, are discussed with the aim of presenting key factors that support sustaining CoPs for informal learning and well-being. We identified six factors characterizing the CoP that contributed to its longevity: adherence to tradition, stress-busting, social connections, mentoring space, belonging to something bigger, and sharing. Each of these is discussed in relation to the current literature and community context. Finally, from these factors, we share three important considerations for adult learning design for well-being.

À l'été 2007, pendant les opérations d'entretien sur la structure du Brook Pulp and Paper Mill de Corner Brook, l'usine éteignit le sifflet qui avait fait partie du << paysage [...]

FOR THE PAST TWENTY YEARS, Newfoundland Mi'kmaq have been active in the revitalization of their culture. (1) Among other initiatives, their efforts have resulted in a Mi'kmaq language program in [...]

In the 21st century, spinning, knitting, and weaving are largely thought of as hobbies, pastimes, or small business activities. Despite the availability of mass-produced wool and fibre products, homespun and handmade products have seen a resurgence in popularity, partly because practitioner communities have developed. This article provides an ethnography of one such group, the Unspun Heroes in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Following a brief history of the group, the individually- and communally-owned tools and technology utilized within the Unspun Heroes is described. The forces that shape fibre artists' access to tools and other resources of their craft in Cape Breton are identified, elucidating how strategies of shared, repurposed, and DIY tools enable fibre artists to sustainably engage in their craft. The motivations of members of the group are then considered, demonstrating how economic diversification strategies in Cape Breton have facilitated fibre arts, but are seldom the driving force for engagement in fibre arts and the Unspun Heroes group. In conclusion, the concept of "scene" is applied to the people, places, technologies, and connections described in this ethnography of the Unspun Heroes as a way of understanding the complex web of interactions and activities that plays out within and around the fluid membership of the group. This exploration demonstrates the innovative and entrepreneurial ethos of fibre artists in rural Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Mi'kmaq are an Indigenous people in northeastern North America. In their culture, sound, music, and the environment are inextricably linked. Mi'kmaw conceptions of music encompass a much broader range of sounds than common in Western conceptions of music, including storytelling and other sounds, natural or otherwise. Some Mi'kmaq assert that their traditional songs were learned from birds, while others today look to animals to inspire new musical creations. In Mi'kmaw legends and myths, creatures of all orders communicate by singing. In this paper, I demonstrate through Mi'kmaw legends that all orders of animals sing or make music, describe musical sharing between animals and humans, and consider how environmental change may impact traditional Mi'kmaw genres and the creation of new songs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights the importance of music in developing expressive culture and shaping the community, at the college and university level. Contribution of Froshing and hazing practices including music and song, often considered as negative has been emphasised in transition of students to their new roles as campus residents and integrate them into the community to participate in the festival like celebrations that occur periodically throughout the year.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of studying and collecting Mi'kmaw songs.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of doing a term paper for a music course at the Memorial University of Newfoundland about the band Medicine Dream.

The article focuses on the conversation of vocal performance and health and suggested that ingesting these would create phlegm and create a need to clear the throat. It mentions foregoing description has largely focused on food and beverages and singers also weren't supposed to smoke cigarettes. It mentions undesirable in classical music with music school as a part of the social interaction.

The article discusses the author's research on the mill whistle at the paper mill in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. She describes her search for information on a play presented at the Grenfell campus of Memorial University in Corner Brook. Topics mentioned include play director Tessa Mendel, theater instructor Todd Hennessey, and the vignettes depicting the paper making process.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of designing "Newfoundland and Labrador Folksinging," a three-credit online course for Memorial University's School of Music and Distance Education, Learning and Teaching Support (DELTS).

The article reviews the music release "My Heart and Soul," by Randy Wood with Will Clipman.

The article reviews the music release "Long Winter Nights: Round Dance "Live!" vol. 5 by Northern Cree and Friends.

The article reviews the music release "There Are No Goodbyes," by Randy Wood.