I agree. At the end of the day, we all have a role to play: beyond just piping – we need to teach, promote, perform, organize, participate, etc. M.

I think it’s interesting, without big experience in Band Histories, but I do have to agree that the selfishness-isation or the consumerization of the attendance is part of a big “check-in” list, and a sign.
I think we’re all passionate about our piping things, and humor can be extreme for both the verrry good and the verrry bad.

We must remember the importance of engagement and volunteering.

cheers!

“During this trip his servant, Tom Taylor, became separated on a hunting trip. After searching for half a day, Simpson left Taylor to his fate. Taylor reached the Swan River post after 14 days in the wilderness with no proper equipment.In 1825 he returned to Britain and learned that William Williams had retired, thereby adding the eastern area to his domain. Returning to Montreal, he went to the Red River settlements, Rock Depot for the annual meeting, the posts on James Bay to inspect his new domain, and back to Montreal. In May 1828 he started his second trip to the Pacific along with his dog, mistress and personal piper, going first to York Factory and then using the Peace River route. This 5000-mile trip remains the longest North American canoe journey ever made in one season.” Tom Taylor then married one of George Simpson’s daughters.
But back to the piper…
Piper Colin Fraser [1805-1865]Colin Fraser [1805-1865] from Kirkton,Sutherlandshire, was recruited in the Orkney Islands by Simpson’s father. He arrived at York Factory in 1827 and beat out two other candidates to win the £30 a year job as Simpson’s personal piper. According to some old papers of the

Laird MacGillis of Williamstown and John MacDonald of Garth, who were together in the Red River area, Fraser married Nancy Beaudry, by whom he had a large
family, from Bethsey born at Fort Carlton in 1833, to Caroline born at Slave

Lake in 1859. One anonymous and possibly apocryphal story refers to a Cree who heard Colin Fraser play at Norway House and reported to his chief:
“One white man was dressed like a woman, in a skirt of funny colour. He had whiskers growing from his belt and fancy leggings. He carried a black swanwhich had many legs with ribbons tied to them. The swan’s body he put under hisarm upside down, then he put its head in his mouth and bit it. At the same time he pinched its neck with his fingers and squeezed the body under his arm until it made a terrible noise.

By the right, quick, ROW! (or is it paddle?)

M