Life on the island is not so different from the Bruce Peninsula, my previous stomping grounds. Both the landscape and peoplescape (is that a word? Oh well, it is now.) are very similar. Water everywhere, oodles of rocks and caves, and friendly people who mostly keep to themselves. Just the way I like it.
Summers are buzzing with cottagers, farmers markets, and a vast variety of pretty little shops; there are music festivals,Pow Wows, fairs, and street dances. And Winters? Well... they are... loooong. Let's leave it at that.
The big difference and advantage for me is the horse community here. It is large, it is strong, and it is generous. I have had occasion myself, where members of that horse community rallied around me to lend support.
Manitoulin Island's year-round population is around 12,600 (thank you, Wikipedia), half of which is Native. I have heard of conflict between native and non native residents but I have never experienced it myself. I'd like to think that on this little rock, we all support one another, embrace our cultural differences and, more importantly, respect one another.
In 2015, M'Chigeeng First Nation elected a vibrant, intelligent, capable, and beautiful young woman as their chief. I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I am. It gives me hope for not only the island, but perhaps this country as a whole. Let there be change!