A Study Of Resiliency In Communities

Positive Outcomes

The third and final component of the community resiliency model is outcomes. These are measurable or observable manifestations of response to communal risk or hardship. They may be positive or negative, healthy or unhealthy. Both types were evident in the data.

Six dominant themes related to positive outcomes were evident. When participants were asked, 'What are the most important indicators of success in your community?', three prevalent themes emerged: economic growth, an increasingly positive mood or outlook among the people, and the vital role that community organizations and community development continue to play in the communities. In addition, physical health status of residents, the health behaviours of residents, and health services were also identified as positive outcome themes in the data.

Economic Growth

While economic disadvantage was seen by participants as the primary risk factor in their communities, they just as readily identified signs of economic growth as a primary indicator of success. Two sub-themes capture this theme- signs of new economic development and growing entrepreneurism.

Signs of new economic development

Participants in all communities saw the appearance of new businesses as a very positive and hopeful sign.

The new stores. They have the IGA opening that bottle exchange, bottle recycling. And the restaurant in Arichat, I heard, has been bought...We need a restaurant. And they opened a laundromat. Things like that are good for the people.

Tourism is a major focus of economic development in all three communities, with the cultural industry being a dominant theme.

When the theatre group wanted to continue the tradition of concerts and theatrical (events), what did they do? They created a dinner theatre...What I like about [the theatre] is that the service we provide helps. It entertains; it gives people hope. And the jobs that it provides to these people. They train well, they become exposed, and they can go on to a career of their own. We give hope to our children. There is a place now for children to go and learn how to be a broadcaster, or a technician...That is what I call success...giving our children or adults hope that we can do something with ourselves.

The spirit of entrepreneurism is growing

Much of the recent growth in small business is the product of local entrepreneurism. A written observation from Dildo noted, 'One of the most interesting events was the construction of a new strip mall. This building houses four businesses which are owned and operated by women...Three of the four women are married with children, and have never worked outside their homes until they started their business ventures...People are talking about the fact that this building is supporting women in enterprise, and the public is taking pride in that realization.'

I think the most indication of success that I get is that people just don't want to lie down and turn over and give up. I see a lot of people in our community trying to start a business, and some of them are very successful. One of the positive things about this is just looking and seeing that the entrepreneurs on Isle Madame today are young, and they're from the island. So this is one very encouraging thing about entrepreneurship in the future.

(Translated from French)

Here, among the entrepreneurs, if you want to call them that, there is a progressiveness from the people who probably have lived in this community all their lives - maybe have gone away to go to school and come back again...and are willing to establish businesses and make a go of it that way. These are not the outsiders coming in and doing these things.

Summary:

From the three communities, there were reports of new economic initiatives. Many were small business ventures undertaken by local people turning to entrepreneurism after losing former employment. Growth in cultural industry was particularly notable, as all of these communities strove to attract more tourists.

Community Outlook/Tone

Participants were asked about the general mood or outlook of people in their community. Responses were mixed, but overall, the data presented a fairly positive picture. The data are described in two sub-themes: there is a mood of determination, hope and cautious optimism, and people are embracing education, change and personal growth.

Determination, hope and cautious optimism

Determination

Most people are not giving up. At both the individual and community level, there is a determination to stay and succeed. As one participant observed, 'They're coming back fighting.'

When the fishery went down, they all said that before too long, this place is going to be a ghost town. Well, it's not. And people are bringing more things in, and they're fighting to keep it here. It's not becoming a ghost town. It's really coming up.

I guess some people are trying to put more back into our community so they don't have to leave or anything. Like we're trying to give it back something.

Hope and optimism

Although some participants spoke of depression or high levels of anxiety on the part of many displaced and seasonal workers, the majority of responses depicted three communities where most people appeared upbeat and cautiously optimistic about the future.

There's an in-between feeling. I think they're at sort of a crossroad, and they don't know what to think...There's a sense out there that the fish are not going to come back, but I think there's a sense that we're not going to move out either. In

other communities, it's, 'Well, we have to go to Ontario.' You don't hear that very much here. So I think they're hopeful there's something out there, that there'll be something come along. I guess it's a sense of optimism...They complain, but there's optimism.

When we see that people are still fighting to get jobs and development, you know that this is quite an encouraging thing. And if people are still going to meetings, activities and cultural activities, and trying to start businesses, this is all encouragement.

From each community came observations that the fishery crisis has not been an entirely negative thing.

I have great hope that we're now in a transitional period. What has happened with the decline in the fishery might be a good thing because it's going to force us to do things that we should have done 20 years ago. It's not all negative. The first thing we have to do is develop some entrepreneur skills in people.

Some of these people have changed their whole lives, and I think that is absolutely wonderful, because sometimes it takes a crisis to change...Some of them have said, 'This has turned out really good for me'...And if you look at downtown Cheticamp today, it looks a lot different than what it looked like before...with our board-walk and the buildings that are newly painted...There is a certain pride...we want to attract more people to come here...If there was no crisis, we wouldn't change and we wouldn't have what we have now. I mean, people are taking pride.

Education, change and personal growth in all communities

The success story is that the majority of people at the fish plant, I think about 60 percent, have been able to either find something, or get some kind of training, education. It's positive that they know that they can do things...Some of them didn't realize that they could learn, and get a Grade 12 education. If anything, that's what's been brought out.

When I was working with the TAGS people, some of these individuals that have been working 15, 20 years doing the same thing...They found themselves in a situation where they could go back to school...They come out, they can work on computers. They're learning to read and write. They've got more confidence. They have become a whole new person...And some of these people have opened small businesses.

Summary:

While high levels of anxiety and negativity existed in all communities, the overall mood was one of cautious but growing optimism. Many people appeared to be recovering from the initial shock of the fishery collapse, and seeking new directions and opportunities in their determination not to have to leave the community. People drew confidence from new educational experiences, and hope from the visible signs of growth and activity in the community. From all three sites, there were comments that the current crisis was not all bad news, because it was challenging people and the community as a whole to develop new and positive attitudes and behaviours.

Community Organizations and Community Development

Because local organizations are, to a large degree, the manifestation of community attributes and collective activity, the current role of organizations in community life was a focus of this study, with particular attention given to community development. Overall, this emerged as a positive outcome, although the low level of community participation in community process and development was identified as a risk factor. Three sub-themes were evident: organizations continue to play a vital role in community life, awareness of and regard for community development organizations are high, and community organizations have been successful in acquiring resources.

Organizations continue to play a vital role in community life

Strong local organizations are part of the history of all the study communities. The data show that in these hard times they continue to play a central role in the life of the community. In particular, community development organizations were frequently credited for the work they are doing to help their communities with the process of adjustment to current challenges.

Through our service groups and development associations, I think we're on the way.

Most community-based organizations were surviving hard times; some were even thriving.

And so far we've been able to keep every organization. I haven't heard of one that has had to close its doors. For example, in Cheticamp the Acadian Centre has had a hard time, but still...and here we go again with volunteers...I don't think I've ever heard of any worthwhile project that was ever started in these communities that [wasn't] successful.

The historical society has greatly improved over the last few years. It's a small success story in itself. All the little festivals in the area...

Organizations were seen as providers of leadership. They offered the structure within which individuals with leadership ability contribute to the community. Community development organizations were frequently mentioned in this regard.

The people that are involved (in organizations) do make a big difference because they are the doers. They will attend meetings and sit on committees and be the force behind the smaller or larger groups.

I would say DIMA (Development Isle Madame Association)...they're the main thing now. The main driving force. Made up of real leaders who are really pushing to get better.

Awareness of and regard for community development organizations is high

Most participants were aware of their local community development organization(s), and could name some of their projects and accomplishments. Most said that the organizations were effective, and that they were making valiant efforts and a valuable contribution to the communities.

I must say, they have been addressing the problems of the community. They have been bringing people's confidence up. And when I say 'they,' it's really us. Like it's really the people of the community...We can see what they are doing now. We can see things coming up, things improving, so they have shown their effectiveness.

Community organizations have been successful in acquiring resources

Acquiring resources, notably information and funding, is a challenge for many volunteer organizations. This is particularly true for community development organizations in times of financial restraint. In each community, there was one community development project that was a testament to success in acquiring resources. The product of these initiatives seemed to many participants to symbolize both hope for economic growth and the spirit of optimism that appears to be growing. Significantly, all these projects were also indicative of the hope and effort that the three communities are investing in tourism development.

In Cheticamp, it was the new harbour-front board-walk:

The [Community Development Commission] for example, there is the boardwalk. I think it is probably beyond everybody's expectations. I mean, last summer, the people! It's the ideal place. And where you get the full effect of the water and the community.

In Isle Madame, it was La Picasse, which is a cultural centre and incubator mall.

One of the things I'd like to stress is that La Picasse itself, it began as a dream. It's amazing to look at the large building now and to think it was just a dream. The County of Richmond got together in Arichat...and decided what they wanted to do, and the steps went, and the steps went, and now they have this great building. It's all of the people who believed in it that developed it. All it takes is a little belief sometimes.

(Translated from French)

In Dildo, (new Interpretation Centre) was referred to as 'the building.' An ongoing project of the Society of United Fishermen and the local development association, the centre began with the renovation of an old landmark that had become an eyesore. It is located at the physical heart of the community, on the main road which follows the shore of Trinity Bay. The Community Coordinator described the construction period: 'Volunteers helped out with some of the work, businesses in the area donated materials and one donated a free day of labour for concrete pouring. Everyone became involved with the project. People stopped to comment on the fine job that the workers were doing. It was a very exciting 12 weeks to watch the old building being transformed into the Interpretation Centre.' Many participants commented that the building had become a symbol of hope and pride for the community. Among many Dildoans, it has sparked renewed interest in the community and anticipation of a growing tourist industry. As one participant observed, it has also generated rediscovery and appreciation of local heritage:

Like this focal point here, the building, and what it has brought about. The physical infrastructure is there now, but it's also brought about a lot of discussion about the community - the community groups, the archaeology, just taking it back through the whole history thing. It's starting to generate in people's heads ideas about their community, where they were, where they are going, and how they deal with what they have.

Summary:

Local organizations have long played a vital role in the life of these communities, and they continued to do so in these difficult times. Residents looked to their community organizations for leadership. Currently, community development organizations are well regarded for their efforts to create new growth and enterprise. Results of their work are to be seen in all communities, symbols of organizational success in acquiring resources. Perhaps even more significant, some projects have involved many community members in creating new multi-use constructions which have become the source of renewed feelings of hope and community pride among the people.

Physical Health Status of Residents

Participants were asked to comment on the general physical health of their community. A small amount of data was generated by this question, being mostly positive. The single theme was that physical health was not a major concern for people in the study communities.

General physical health is not a concern in these communities

Majority of the responses indicated that the general health in the communities was either good or average.

They have no reason not to be (healthy). The medical facilities are there...There are people in their 80s and 90s going strong.

I don't think people are too bad when it comes to physically. I guess it's like every other place in Canada...I don't think [the incidence of disease] is above the national average or anything.

Participants were asked if there were high rates of any particular disease or disability in their community. The one significant result, from all communities came from comments about high rates of cancer. Several people in the two Acadian communities in Cape Breton mentioned a recent provincial survey which showed high cancer rates in that part of Nova Scotia.

Summary:

Physical health did not appear to be a major concern in these communities. Participants believed that the general health in their community was at least as good as anywhere else, although cancer rates were perceived to be high. This positive outcome of perceived general health may be related to the two following themes, which indicate that health promotion and health services were also indicators of positive outcomes in these communities.

Health Behaviour of Residents

Participants were asked about health behaviours in their community. Their comments about both awareness and practice were decidedly positive in most instances. Many people spoke knowledgeably and favourably about health promotion initiatives in their community. Three sub-themes were evident: there is growing awareness about healthy lifestyle, greater health awareness is producing more healthy behaviour, and there is active health promotion in all communities.

Growing awareness about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle

The majority of responses indicated that awareness of healthy lifestyle practices had increased in all three communities.

I think people are more health conscious of things now than they ever were. Probably things weren't thought of 20 years ago that are being thought of now. Or people didn't recognize the benefits.

The response of one participant from Cheticamp reflected the impact of the hospital cutbacks and the Primary Health Care Project in that community. Attitudes were changing:

I think people are becoming aware that it's easier to stay healthy. If you get a cold...and you think you'll go to the hospital for a week, that doesn't exist any more. So I think that is positive.

Greater health awareness is producing more healthy behaviour

There were questions about specific health behaviours. Although smoking was still considered a problem in all sites, the majority of the responses confirmed a general trend toward healthier lifestyles in the three communities.

Physical fitness

Two thirds of the data related to physical exercise were positive. Probably the most striking image left by the data on healthy behaviour is that of people walking all around these three communities. A number of participants mentioned that people enjoyed outdoor activity of many kinds. Others referred to involvement in sports, notably hockey. But just about everyone mentioned the increase in walking in their community.

Even in the winter days, you'll see them walking real fast. And I think I would say that's the main recreational thing in Arichat. And it's got to do with the setting as well. It's a beautiful place. A lot of people here walk and exercise like that. Well, some people walk. I know people who are very addicted to walking, which I wish I was. Yes, people do walk. I don't know if their attitude toward it is for health reasons, or if they just have to get out of the house. I guess whichever reason, it's still good.

Many participants expressed their community's need for more facilities for physical recreation and fitness. Of the one third of the data that was negative with regard to physical exercise, a very large proportion was concerned with the lack of local facilities. Enthusiastic walkers were among those who wished for better facilities.

Sometimes people say, 'I wish we had a nice place where you could go and walk other than on the roads.' If we had some trails or something like that it would be nice, because we don't have sidewalks, as you know.

There aren't enough places in the community that encourage healthy behaviour...You've got hockey, but you need something more than that.

(Translated from French)

...good recreational facilities, good recreational directors who plan activities around those facilities. We have none of both.

Nutrition

Overall, the data about nutritious food consumption was more positive than negative.

People now, I think, are conscious about salt and fat and cholesterol. They are educated about it. Whether they want to listen to it or not, they are educated.

Part of the increased nutritional awareness was an awareness of generational and cultural barriers to healthy eating. Several participants noted the fondness of young people for junk food, or fast food. However, others believed that it was the older folks who weren't getting the nutrition message.

Some people do (eat healthily). The younger people do. The older people are steadfast in the [belief] that a salt fish and a piece of salt meat will keep you alive longer than any pack of yogurt.

Indeed, the traditional diets of these communities were seen as a barrier to healthy eating, especially by participants in Cheticamp:

I think [diet] could be a problem because, being Acadian people, a lot of people are used to all the Acadian meals that were prepared by the older people, and it's been passed on to the younger generation. And all those Acadian meals are fairly high in fat, and are not necessarily the healthiest stuff you can eat. But I think more people now are getting more and more conscious of what they eat, and they'll be more careful as far as food preparation and all that.

Active health promotion in all communities

The question, 'What types of things happen in your community that encourage people to keep healthy?', prompted a variety of responses in each community. While the level of health promotion appeared to vary among communities, the overall picture that emerged was positive. Smoking restrictions and school-based health promotion programs were mentioned by many participants across the board. Significant findings from each of the communities follow.

Cheticamp

Of the three communities, Cheticamp appeared to have by far the greatest variety of health promotion programs, no doubt the legacy of a local hospital with a long-standing proactive approach to health promotion, and the Primary Health Care Project of 1992-95. This project was cited by a number of participants for its impact in the community.

With the Primary Health Care, a few years ago when that came about, a lot of meetings were set up in different family homes, and different people from the community. People were made aware a lot through that program about how important it was to be proactive with our health instead of waiting to be sick...and we have probably started there, but there is still a lot to be done.

Programs mentioned included nutrition, alcohol and drug awareness, informational and self-management clinics for diabetes, arthritis and heart disease, Well Women's clinic, foot clinic, breast cancer clinic, blood pressure clinic, and seniors' programs. Community health fairs have been held in the past.

Dildo

As in Cheticamp, participants in Dildo had no difficulty in identifying health promotion activity in and around their community. The centre in nearby Whitbourne appeared to be active in this regard.

They are always advertising the Well Women's Clinic. Lately they had a men's clinic in Whitbourne, and that was a big plus...Like right now, they have one of the nurses up there doing some sort of program for diabetics, and it's advertised on our community channel.

Use of the community channel as a source of information about health promotion activities (and everything else) was a significant aspect of the data from Dildo. Clearly, it is seen as a valuable resource in this community. It may account for the very high level of awareness about a Heart Health Fair that had taken place several months earlier. In speaking about this event, many participants noted the involvement of youth.

Just last year, there was a Heart Health Festival held by the Heart Health in Newfoundland, and the Economic Development. And that was a pretty good thing where there were students involved. Such problems as underage drinking and drinking in general, and smoking were addressed, along with ways that people can keep fit such as being outdoors and exercising and those sorts of things.

The youth focus group in Dildo spoke about the success of their recent 'Safe Grad' party, which was a first for their school. The whole community supported it, and 45 of the 70 graduates attended.

Isle Madame

There appeared to be far less health promotion going on here. This was the only community in which doctors and pamphlets were mentioned as the sources of health information. Several participants expressed a need for more health education and better promotion of those services and programs that were available.

However, there were positive notes. Women's organizations were acknowledged to be leading the way in sponsoring programs. This is the only community to have a centre offering fitness programs. The Activity Centre was the recent creation of a group of local women who transformed an empty building into a small fitness facility.

The women's groups are trying to get the message out to the public more that people should be active, should be watching their weight, should be watching their foods. It seems to be a big topic...It's being a part of the program whatever they're doing.

Summary:

Health promotion appeared to have had a positive impact in all sites, although the level of health promotion-related activity varied among communities. Participants reported growing awareness about the need for people to take care of their health. In particular, they observed that increased physical activity (especially walking) and greater attention to nutrition were evident across the population.

Health Services

Despite having lost some services, and despite the fear that more cutbacks may be in store, the majority of participants indicated that they were generally satisfied with health services in their community. This was more the case with physical health services than with mental health services. However, community-based support for mental health emerged as a positive theme. Two sub-themes capture the positive outcomes related to physical and mental health services, respectively: people are satisfied with physical health services, and communities provide alternative sources of mental health support.

The range of accessible health services differs among the three communities, with Cheticamp appearing to have the greatest variety. It also had the largest number of programs devoted to prevention or primary health care (probably a legacy of the Primary Health Care Project), plus a notably high level of awareness among the participants about the health services available in their community.

People are satisfied with physical health services

Overall, the responses about satisfaction with existing physical health services were positive, although the degree of participants' satisfaction varied among communities. Dildo residents expressed the highest degree of satisfaction (although they must travel outside the immediate community to access all medical services), while those in Isle Madame registered the lowest level of satisfaction, with responses split evenly between positive and negative.

Well, with health services, we're doing much better there. I think of lately we've gotten some excellent younger, more vibrant people into the health field in these communities. And because they have come into key positions, they have really started to provide the type of services that this community needs...the care for the aged is now good. Care for young children, single mothers.

We don't have a clinic or anything right here, but I don't believe the population would warrant it...The new health centre is not very far. It's in Whitbourne. Plus there are doctors in New Harbour and Greens Harbour. I think the health services are better than what they used to be...I know you can have your [prescriptions] delivered to your home, and stuff like that...I know there are rural communities in Newfoundland...if they want a doctor, they might have to go an hour or something. It's not like that here.

A notable thread in the positive responses, no doubt a sign of the times, was that health services were often described as 'good but,' or 'good considering.'

We have all the necessary health care we can get in the area. Considering all the downsizing that has been done, it's still fairly adequate.

There were concerns expressed in all communities about mental health services which were generally perceived to be less available and less accessible than physical health services. However, a physician in rural Newfoundland noted positive developments resulting from the restructuring of health care systems:

We are moving, like many provinces, toward regionalization of health services...In terms of what I alluded to earlier in some of the mental health issues related to stress - community stress, individual stress - I think there are some positive things happening in terms of the redeployment and redevelopment of mental health services which have been virtually non-existent in the community.

Communities provide alternative sources of mental health support

While mental health professionals and self-help groups were perceived to be few, there were alternative sources of mental health help and support mentioned by participants in all three communities:

Other professionals

Family physicians and clergy were mentioned by a few participants as people to turn to for help with emotional problems.

There are always places to go for people suffering from those problems. For example, there is the church. If people aren't sure, they might go to the priest and [he] could direct them to those services.

Training programs

In Dildo and Isle Madame, the two communities with a large population of displaced fishers, people who had taken part in TAGS-sponsored programs spoke of the emotional support they provided:

When the fishery first closed down, we had 'Improving Our Odds' at school, and I attended this for about six weeks. I think it helped out people a lot because people could talk to each other one on one, and talk about the fishery and what effect it had on each individual. And the support was there because you knew they were going through the same as what you were going through.

Personal networks

In all three sites, a number of participants observed that informal sources of emotional support were readily available, and much used, in the community. These sources included neighbours, friends and co-workers.

There are a number of them in the same situation, so I think they can sort of get strength from their neighbours...So I think they adjust fairly well.

Women in a focus group responded when asked if people informally act as support groups:

Yes, even just talking, four or five people, or whatever, are supports.

Gabbing or talking, and then all of a sudden someone may have a problem, and they get it off their chest.

In the winter time, a lot of people have knitting (groups) or whatever.

Several participants in a focus group of displaced workers were spending time on a picket line at the time of the consultations:

We've always been like a family. If one is hurting, the others are hurting. And in the last two days, we've been supporting each other...You know, if one says, 'To hell with this. What's it giving me? We're walking for nothing!', well, the others are there, 'You've got to help us, and you've got to fight with us.' But other than that, we don't have anything (i.e., formal support groups).

Community organizations

Community organizations were recognized as informal providers of emotional support. This was especially true in Dildo:

In Dildo, I guess the senior citizens' group could be called a self-help group. And the church groups. Actually, our Bible study in some ways is a self-help group because it covers a lot of issues that we deal with on a regular basis. And the people who go to them face things that they probably haven't for a long time, and deal with them. And I think that is important.

Summary:

Despite differences in the variety and accessibility of services among the three sites, and despite the recent loss of some services, people seemed generally satisfied with the physical health services in their community. This satisfaction was somewhat tempered by a recognized need for modest expectations in times of financial restraint, and a fear that further cutbacks were possible.

There was some concern about a perceived lack of professional mental health services. However, participants noted that the community provided alternative sources of mental health support in the form of family physicians, clergy, friends and co-workers. Retraining programs and community organizations were also mentioned as places where emotional support was available. Participants clearly believed that the community at large had a role to play in the emotional health of citizens.