Chéticamp has had more success with co-ops than many other communities. There are several reasons for this. The years of hardship suffered by the Acadians, and Chéticamp’s isolation, gave the people a strong loyalty to their community. The co-ops have also worked very hard to make sure young people learn about them.

Co-ops face many of the same problems that other business organizations do. However, by letting people find their own solutions to these problems, co-operatives give the people of Chéticamp a feeling of control over what happens in their community.

Comprehension Questions

1. Where did Chéticamp fishermen get their fishing gear from?
2. Who set the price for fish?
3. Why did the early Chéticamp fishermen stay poor?
4. Who owns a co-operative?
5. Why did the fishermen think selling their fish to a co-operative was better than selling to “the Company?”
6. Why did co-operatives do well in Chéticamp?

Using Vocabulary

1. “Company” can have two very different meanings. Write sentences showing the two different meanings.
2. “Solution” can also have two different meanings. Write sentences showing the two different meanings. (Hint: one meaning is used in science.)