Inverness Oran Entertainment

Entertainment

Rolf Bauman receives Cultural Award of Merit


- by John Gillis
    
    Rolf Bauman of Pioneer Estates was presented with the Strait Chamber’s Cultural Award of Merit by Port Hawkesbury town councillor Trevor Boudreau, Strait Chamber president Adam Rodgers and Rodney MacDonald last week at the Strait Chamber AGM and Awards Gala.
    The Cultural Award of Merit is presented each year to an individual in the culture, literary, visual or performing arts.
    “Rolf Bauman has contributed greatly to the growth of the creative economy and to the fabric of the community, drawing specific attention to the art and cultural sector which acts as an integral part of our everyday lives.  This award is sponsored by the Town of Port Hawkesbury,” it was noted in the presentation.
    Chamber president Adam Rodgers introduced Mr. Bauman.

    “Rolf immigrated to Canada in 1986.  Upon his arrival he worked as a pulp cutter and a tree planter, labourer and welder.  He was born in Germany.  He was a car mechanic and farmer.  His father was a car salesman, and his mother was a bookkeeper.  He has said his family was a regular family that struggled to get by.
    Since coming to Nova Scotia he has since founded five companies including Canadian Pioneer Estates.  In his businesses he has brought $120 million in foreign investment to Cape Breton Island and has been responsible for some 1,400 lots in land transactions on Cape Breton Island.  This is an incredible achievement from relatively humble roots,” said Rodgers.
    Several of the First Nations artists that Mr. Bauman is associated with through his Friends United Gallery and his publishing company were on hand for the event with many displaying their original artwork as well.  Bauman also distributed books and postcards showcasing the work of the First Nations artists at the event.  Bauman has four offices and employs over 20 people full-time and helps provide business to over 30 contractors on a part-time basis.
    Rodney MacDonald is a friend and associate of Bauman.
    “It’s a pleasure to be here tonight and to congratulate my friend Rolf Bauman.  Mr. Bauman has worked extremely hard over the years to establish a number of great businesses, and he did that through the support of his family and his co-workers.  In late 2009, I sat down with Rolf and talked about some of his plans that he wanted to do beyond business, and Friends United was what he was talking about at that time.  Rolf is a great photographer, but beyond that he has a great love of nature and the artwork of First Nations people.  We can all learn a lesson from that passion and the difference that his efforts have made.  It is significant for those involved – it’s an investment of his time, his energy and his money into this initiative,” said MacDonald.
    In 2009/10 MacDonald and Bauman started going around Nova Scotia visiting First
Nations communities, chiefs, council members, economic development officers and others to embark on the Friends United project.
    It has resulted in a significant impact on the individual artists involved and resulted in a significant investment in the Friends United Centre.
    MacDonald congratulated Bauman and his entire team on their accomplishments.
    Upon accepting the award Bauman noted that when he first came from Germany he learned that many First Nations people on the East Coast did not survive Cornwallis.
    Bauman said he felt he had a duty to try to recover whatever he could of the culture and heritage of the First Nations people.
    He said the books that were part of the presentation are a passion that he’s been working on for the past 25-30 years.
    Bauman thanked Canadians for welcoming newcomers like himself to Canada.
    “I’m very proud to live here in Canada, and it’s been a great country to come to, and I call upon you to help First Nations people who deserve really much more than they have.  Let’s give a hand to the First Nations artists,” said Bauman.
    Bauman said the books and the Friends United have grown in interest significantly over the years, and he looks forward to doing more.


 

 


Oran Dan - The Inverness Oran - www.invernessoran.ca

The Inverness Oran
15767 Central Avenue. P.O. Box 100
Inverness, Nova Scotia. B0E 1N0
Tel.: 1 (902) 258-2253. Fax: 1 (902) 258-2632
Email: [email protected]