We are Chinese settlers that moved to Montreal from Beijing.
We were orphans living off the street but were able to stow away on a merchant
ship to Canada with little trouble except for seasickness. We left China
because the only option left for us was prostitution. Along the way, we stole
much of what we used to settle in our land, including a live chicken.
The land we claimed is located on the river and up the
riverbank and hill that surrounds it, in a rectangular pattern. We have two
flat areas separated by a slight slope. The top one would be used for housing
and livestock, the bottom for crops. The soil is relatively soft, and with a
little bit of tilling will be able to supply us with crops aplenty. Many
animals such as deer, rabbits, small birds and squirrels are in abundance,
providing us with much needed protein until large farm animals can be obtained
through trading. As the river near us is freshwater and unpolluted, it is a
handy resource. In the winter months, the cropland may be flooded, but will
provide the needed irrigation for that area.
The first three months will be especially crucial. In order
to escape the cold winters, a shelter must be built. The land would have to be
cleared with the help of the Jabunz’s or the native people that inhabit the
area around us. Also, plots for crops would have to be tilled, either by hand
or by ox pulled plow. Our skills include gardening, animal care, cooking,
building skills, and medicine/first aid skills. The only things we
brought/stole was: a cooking pot, old sheets, a shovel, and an axe. Our only
neighbours that we know of, the Jabunz’s, live not very close, but still within
helping distance. We managed to scavenge some dried food, rice and a live
chicken found wandering in the middle of the road. To survive the next three
months, we need to achieve a strong bond with our neighbours and the native
people. They can help us and trade with us ford things we both need, especially
in the winter months. We will also need to find work as either a seamstress, or
a hired help in some of the older farms.
Upon our arrival, the deed to our land will be gained within
the first 5 months. Winter would be upon us, so being able to store food and
have beds and blankets will be necessary. Upon further exploring in the first
four months, we have found a small settling area that has one resident doctor.
He speaks halting Chinese but we will need to converse with the village people
to better learn French. Finding the village is very important, as there is a
small chapel, but no school. The children are all homeschooled. A school would
be important as the amount of immigrants coming in is increasing. Roads should
not be a problem as the land surrounding us is relatively flat and walkways are
already constructed. In finding the village, we have also found that there are
available jobs for washerwomen and farm hands. This will help drastically with
the cost of crop seeds and feed for our chicken. 