With all the talk about the “ways” people can be Islanders I was interested in the comments that Gary left about “IBB’s” – Islanders By Blood.
Hi,
I want to congratulate you on taking the initiative to create a blog on this topic.
As a native islander who has always enjoyed the joys of my Hidden Island Paradise, there is just no thoughts about ever living long term anywhere but on P.E.I.
There are IBC’s and CFA’s but has anyone ever considered that there are IBB’s
Well my cousin Daphne who now lives in New Jersey thinks that there is.
http://hiddenislandparadise.blogspot.com/2010/07/islander-by-blood.html
If you have something to share then hop over to my blog and let me know what you think. Thanks!
Smiles
Gary
Here is part of Gary’s blog post on IBB’s
As we drove back through the beautiful hills of Calidonia Daphne began to tell me “you know” she said “to be an Islander, they say you have to be born here”. “If you were not born on Prince Edward Island then you are not an Islander” “yes” I replied but we have another term and it is “an Islander by Choice”. “No!” she exclaimed “I love it here and my son Eric and I, we are Islanders by blood!”.
I loved what Daphne had just said, with my good arm I reached into my case and pulled out our book “Prince Edward Island Tales 2nd edition” “Here Daphne” I said “this is for you!”
We concluded our brief tour back at Timmies in Montague. With a big hug, a promise to call her and a wave, she and Eric were off on their way back to Charlottetown to pick up uncle Everett who is like 94 and take him over to his son Wayne’s to meet even more of their cousins and extended family.
Family and family relationships are very important to the people of our Island. Now I learned just how important they are to extended family not born on the Island. Thank you Daphne!
So now there are three ways to be an Islander:
1. You could to be born on the Island.
2. You could be an Islander by choice.
3. You could be an Islander by blood.
So…let’s see – you can be an Islander or an Islander by Choice (or Circumstance) or an Islander by Blood. Of course, then there are also people like me who are Part Time Islanders by Choice or as I have also been called an Honourary Islander. Interesting. So many ways that people are connected to PEI. It is truly fascinating to me. What stands out the most, though, is that we all seem to want that “connection”. People who were not born on PEI are still looking for a way to be defined as being truly part of the Island.
IBC Alliance - Where Everyone's an Islander 
This is heartbreaking!! but it sounds familiar. I was born and raised here, lived in On for many years, my husband is CFA, moved back 12 years ago.
There really is no magic solution but may I suggest a few: walk with your dog at Upton Farm, volunteer, invite the people you meet for coffee/lunch, offer your expertise/creativity etc.
Islanders are friendly but maybe a little unsure of newcomers or themselves. If you can deal with the long winter, you can probably deal with the rest.
I have been watching PEI news online and reading the papers since my visit last summer. When I left PEI I was determined to return here to retire in a few years. I too have been haunting the real estate sites and virtually driving around PEI on Google Earth. It seems like the perfect place to live (despite its challenges) nothing can be too difficult in such a naturally beautiful location. I will be returning in April for a few days to see PEI when it is not in its “summer best” and to do some genealogical work (my grandmother and great grandparents are from PEI). This blog is a wonderful idea. Thank you for doing it. Johanna from Massachusetts