Chapter Five 8]

CHAPTER 391/5

growth and Diversification (19 70-1999)

\7/n the years around 1969 and 1970, Tignish had to cope with some of the greatest challenges it had ever faced. Changes in the Roman Catholic Church had recently shaken the faith of some and confused many more. Now the federal and provincial governments had decided to modernize the Island, with special attention to its educational and economic institutions. Although this Development Plan, as it was called, was never completed, and did not achieve everything it was expected to do in the two (out of three) phases that actually were carried out, many aspects of Island life were changed or affected. Even in Tignish, which because of its remoteness was less likely either to profit or suffer from government schemes, the Development Plan’s impact was felt - mostly with regard to changes in the school system.

Nevertheless, the most important activity that was going on in Tignish during the seventies was the organizing of a number of new co-operatives, most of which were to fulfill needs which had not been felt earlier. These needs were certainly felt in other small communities too, but they were dealt with in a different way or left to be a constant source of complaints. At the same time, more independent