Originally from Tadoussac, Mr. Magella, 97 years old, was a member of the Maliseet of Viger First Nation. Named Tianiss at birth, he was renamed Nicolas by a local priest, a common practice at the time when First Nation peoples were converted to Catholicism.

The ocean was Mr. Magella’s special place for contemplation. He had spent many years on the water as a mechanic and had developed a deep attachment to the ocean. According to his granddaughter Marion, he often sat on his swing contemplating the sea through his binoculars for hours, immersed in memories. He has a great love for the ocean, and nothing could get in the way of his contemplation.

Mr. Magella was a living encyclopedia, and he shared many stories and adventures from his 101 years! His granddaughter told us, “We knew that when he gazed out at the ocean like that, he yearned to become one with it. Now I’m sure he’s rocking gently on the waves with his sweetheart.”