Skip to main content
Ingenium Logo

You are leaving IngeniumCanada.org

✖


This link leads to an external website that Ingenium does not control. Please read the third-party’s privacy policies before entering personal information or conducting a transaction on their site.

Have questions? Review our Privacy Statement

Vous quittez IngeniumCanada.org

✖


Ce lien mène à un site Web externe qu'Ingenium ne contrôle pas. Veuillez lire les politiques de confidentialité des tiers avant de partager des renseignements personnels ou d'effectuer une transaction sur leur site.

Questions? Consultez notre Énoncé de confidentialité

Ingenium The Channel

Langue

  • Français
Search Toggle

Menu des liens rapides

  • Ingenium Locations
  • Shop
  • Donate
  • Join
Menu

Main Navigation

  • Browse
    • Categories
    • Media Types
    • Boards
    • Featured Stories
  • About
    • About The Channel
    • Content Partners

A living legend: Saying farewell to Johnny May’s sweet tradition

Share
3 m
Dec 17, 2020
Categories
Aviation
Categories
Indigenous
Media
Article
Profile picture for user Sonia Mendes
By: Sonia Mendes
Ingenium - Canada's Museums of Science and Innovation
A group of people stand outdoors, looking up as a small white plane drops candy and gifts while it flies over the crowd.
Photo Credit
Isabelle Dubois
Onlookers watch as Johnny May flies his aircraft overhead during a Kuujjuaq Christmas candy drop.

A special custom will be glaringly absent for the children of Kuujjuaq this year. 

This is the first holiday season in half a century that won’t include a Kuujjuaq Christmas Candy Drop — a special delivery for the village residents. Last year, legendary Inuit bush pilot Johnny May made his final candy drop before saying goodbye to a sweet tradition.

“For more than 50 years, May faithfully dropped a medley of candies and gifts for the residents of Kuujjuaq – a village in Nunavik, Quebec,” explains Linda Brand, an interpretation officer for community programs at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. “It was a beloved tradition, and last Christmas marked the end of an era.”

A pilot sits at the controls of an aircraft, with a headset over his ears.
Photo Credit
Linda Brand

Johnny May flew his first solo flight at age 16.

May was born in Kangiqsualujjuaq, at the mouth of the George River in northern Quebec. The 75-year-old pilot is a long-time resident of Kuujjuaq, and is well known among the town’s population of roughly 3,000 residents for his Santa-like drops every December 25.

“It started with just candy in 1965, but over the years it really evolved,” says Brand, explaining that the Kuujjuaq recreation committee fundraised money to buy items for the drop by holding bingo games. “Over the years, May has dropped winter clothing items, and sometimes envelopes with coupons to redeem for big-ticket items.”

A hero of the North

As special as those candy drops have been, May is even more revered for his countless heroic search-and-rescue missions in the harrowing North. For most of his career, May flew in areas where topographical maps didn’t exist. Often, he would land his bush plane on tundra or ice, depending on the time of year and the weather, to rescue those who had lost their way in the harsh conditions.

The pilot stands with his wife on one side and the book’s author on the other, next to a painting of his aircraft.
Photo Credit
André Levesque

Johnny May with his wife, Louisa (left), and children’s author Linda Brand (right).

In 2013, the National Film Board produced a feature documentary, The Wings of Johnny May. The film details many of his adventures during more than 35,000 hours of flight time he’s logged, as well as the rugged beauty of the Nunavik territory. However, makers of the film said it was a challenge to convince the very modest May to agree to the creation of a film about his life. 

Ontario-based Bush Pilot Brewing Company even named their third bottled release in May’s honour. The beer, named “Pengo Pally,” means “I miss you” in the Inuktitut language. This message — in English and Inuktitut — was stenciled on the fuselage of Johnny May’s De Havilland Beaver, as a tribute to his wife, Louisa.

The pilot stands next to a small white aircraft, which is floating on the water next to a dock.
Photo Credit
Linda Brand

Johnny May stands next to his trusty aircraft.

An inspiring story

At the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, staff have their own way of honouring May. Brand authored a colourful children’s book, The Kuujjuaq Christmas Candy Drop, which was published in 2015.

“It’s an uplifting and inspiring story, written for Inuit youth across Canada,” says Brand, adding that a shipment of the books was donated to more than 30 Inuit classrooms in Labrador in 2017. “Johnny May is a wonderful role model. Although he has hung up his candy sack, the legacy of this exceptional man will most certainly endure for many years to come,” says Brand. 

For details on holiday programming, visit A Special Delivery from the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.

A group of people stand outdoors, looking up as a small white plane drops candy and gifts while it flies over the crowd.
Photo Credit
Isabelle Dubois

Onlookers watch as Johnny May flies his aircraft overhead during a Kuujjuaq Christmas candy drop.

A woman smiles as she presents a colourful book, while two men sit in the background.
Photo Credit
Isabelle Dubois

Linda Brand, author of the children’s book, The Kuujjuaq Christmas Candy Drop, presents the story to a class of Inuit schoolchildren.

A red box filled with teddy bears dressed as pilots sits next to an aircraft in a museum.
Photo Credit
Linda Brand

Staff at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum sent a box of pilot-themed teddy bears to Johnny May in Kuujjuaq, to be included in his final flight.

Tags
Kuujjuaq Christmas candy drop, Johnny May, aviation, Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Author(s)
Profile picture for user Sonia Mendes
Sonia Mendes
Follow

Sonia Mendes is the English Writer/Editor for Ingenium. She loves digging behind the scenes to tell the quirky, colourful stories of museum life and all things related to science and innovation.

More Stories by

Profile picture for user Sonia Mendes
Sonia Mendes
Ingenium - Canada's Museums of Science and Innovation
Award winner Jackson Weir stands next to a large marble wall with a sign that reads, "Harvard Medical School." A tree and the facade of a building are visible in the background.

Final countdown: Applications due soon for STEAM Horizon Awards program

A close-up shot of two young people wearing safety goggles, in a lab environment. The person in the foreground is holding up a glass beaker filled will blue liquid.

STEAM Horizon awards program seeks inspiring, science-minded youth

Two gingerbread and sugar creations are pictured against a dark backdrop; a model of the James Webb Space Telescope is in the foreground, and the Ariane 5 rocket is visible in the background.

Gingerbread art launches the holiday season at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Three women pose in front of the massive iron wheels of a locomotive. They are wearing coats and scarves and smiling at the camera.

Behind the scenes: Meet Ingenium’s travelling exhibitions team

A wax model of a set of yellowed and unsightly teeth seem to be suspended in the air, set against a black background.

Toothy tales: 5 artifacts from your dental nightmares

A cartoon-style graphic of two hands holding a tablet; the screen features an open book and some science-themed icons like a light bulb, a microscope, and a rocket ship.

Science Literacy Week explores science in our everyday lives

The surface of the Moon, scattered with craters of various sizes.

Astronaut training mission lands in Labrador

A young woman smiles and looks at the camera as she poses with a cardboard cut-out of Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques.

Asian Heritage Month: A conversation with Ruth Hwang

A woman wearing a protective jumpsuit crouches next to a beehive.

Behind the scenes: Meet a beekeeper at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

A young woman smiles as she sits at a desk with a laptop open in front of her. The logo for the Canadian Space Agency is visible on her laptop screen.

Asian Heritage Month: A conversation with Anna Jee

A young woman wears a traditional Vietnamese dress in bright pink.

Asian Heritage Month: A conversation with Linda Dao

A graphical treatment of an image shows a wide-eyed young person, with their head seemingly opened up. Some hand-drawn squiggles and a lightning bolt appear in white on the top section of the head.

Science Odyssey 2021: Ingenium museums offer inspiring, virtual experiences

A young man wearing a mask stands at a table, with two cedar boxes stacked in front of him. He is using a garden trowel to dig in a soil-like mixture inside the top box. Pieces of wood and an electric saw are visible in the workshop behind him.

The Box of Life: Grow a gorgeous garden with one of nature’s superheroes

A woman in a white lab coat smiles widely at the camera. She is standing in a laboratory, and a row of labelled jars and containers sit on a shelf behind her.

Black voices in STEM: A conversation with Dr. Juliet Daniel

A woman wearing an astronaut’s helmet holds a rabbit up to the camera of a laptop, which is open in front of her. Children’s faces are visible on the laptop screen via videoconferencing.

Virtual field trips offer a breath of fresh air amidst pandemic restrictions

A white race car with dark blue and gold accents sits in a tranquil, outdoor setting, with the sun shining through the trees. The word “Ford” is visible in huge letters across the windshield.

Start your engines: A Ford GT Mk II is now on display in Ottawa

A woman wearing purple gloves looks into a glass bottle of water that she is holding.

Life on Mars? Billion-year-old water found near Timmins could offer glimpse into the past

A young girl wears a white shirt and protective glasses, as she holds a beaker of green liquid. The image is set against a lime green backdrop, and the words, “Ingenium-NSERC STEAM Horizon Awards” are visible in white lettering.

Wanted: Canada’s brightest young minds

A young woman smiles as she stands next to a large helicopter, which is sitting on the grass.

Women in STEM: A conversation with Jasmine Shaw

A young woman wearing a navy blue shirt smiles as she stands next to a mannequin dressed in a black tank top. A computer and a variety of equipment is visible on shelves in the background.

Women in STEM: A conversation with Linda Dao

A young woman wearing a lab coat, mask, and gloves sits in a laboratory. An array of bottles and equipment is visible on the counter in front of her.

Women in STEM: A conversation with Crystal McLellan

Two Remembrance Day pins sit side-by-side on a wooden surface: A red poppy pin sits next to a gold ribbon-shaped pin that features an emblem of a pigeon.

Animals in war: Unlikely war heroes took to the skies

A young woman wearing a blue blazer sits at a white desk. She has two laptops and several books open in front of her; she is looking at one of the screens.

Women in STEM: A conversation with Cecilia Odonkor

A large brown house with a wrap-around porch is surrounded by trees.

You could own the house of horrors From ‘Silence of the Lambs’

A young woman wearing a white lab coat and blue rubber gloves sits in a laboratory, working with a variety of tools in front of her.

Women in STEM: A conversation with Micaela Gray

A young woman smiles as she stands at her workstation; a computer, monitor, notepad and pen are open in front of her.

Women in STEM: A conversation with Jillian Anderson

A horizontal banner depicts the faces of five Canadian women in a pencil-sketch style format. The words, “Women’s History Month – October 2020” are visible at the top of the banner.

Women’s History Month celebrates a more inclusive Canada

A wide shot of a gallery inside the Lindt Home of Chocolate, showing white walls, white marble floors and a massive chocolate fountain. A few people are standing and sitting around the fountain, looking up at it.

Lindt opens the world’s largest chocolate museum

A cartoon-style drawing depicts books, flowers, and animals. A large letter “B” represents the theme of biodiversity. The words “Sept. 21-27, 2020” is visible in the bottom, right-hand corner of the image.

Science Literacy Week offers online learning opportunities

A stack of butter tarts sit on a silver platter; a small Canadian flag is inserted into the top butter tart.

Baskin Robbins is bringing back their butter tart ice cream and it's so Canadian

Astronaut Chris Hadfield, wearing a white spacesuit and helmet.

7 tips from an astronaut on how to master remote work

A religious painting of the Virgin Mary, surrounded by angels.

Experts call for regulation after latest botched art restoration in Spain

A colourful painting depicting two locomotives on a track, with a blue sky in the background. The words, “Visit our great exhibit – Steam: A World in Motion” are visible at the top.

Artistic artifacts: Teen taps into creativity to stay connected with his favourite museum 

A pair of pink satin point shoes sit on the floor, against a black background.

Paris Opera dancers thank key workers with a special choreographed video

Red and white tulips are in full bloom under a blue sky; the Peace Tower of Parliament Hill is visible in the background.

Virtual tulip festival commemorates Canada’s role in the liberation of the Netherlands

A painting depicts a lake, with trees and mountains in the background.

Group of Seven artwork has a home amongst science and technology artifacts

A 3D image of the COVID-19 virus on a black background.

How novel X-ray technology made in Waterloo can help COVID-19 patients

A black-and-white image of team of young hockey players, posing on the ice with their hockey sticks.

Ahead by a century: A snapshot of the hockey stick’s evolution since 1920  

A computer screen shows 14 people taking part in a video coffee chat over Zoom.

National Volunteer Week: Ingenium volunteers stay connected despite COVID-19

Map of France

Coronavirus lockdown leading to drop in pollution across Europe

A mother reaches out to comfort a distressed little girl as they sit together in a living room.

How to support children’s mental health during the pandemic

A young girl stands in front of a microphone, looking at a large screen with a blue avatar of a woman's face.

Museum visitors help to grow an artificial intelligence prototype

Willie O'Ree

NHL's Black History Month mobile museum in Ottawa

Catherine Beddall assembles a gingerbread house.

Behind the scenes: Meet a gingerbread artist

A female museum guide supervises two young students, who are reaching out to stroke a large, white rabbit on the table in front of them.

New museum program brings the farm right into the classroom

A view of the solid-looking, wooden steering wheel, inside the pilot house from the SS Prince Edward Island.

Canada’s marine transportation artifacts will be better preserved in the Collections Conservation Centre

Two young girls stand in front of their research display about Elsie MacGill.

International Women in Engineering Day: Remembering Elsie MacGill

A microphone sits in front of a computer screen.

Podcast: Inspiring youth through museums and the Canadian Aero/Space Skills Network

Black History Month

Honouring Black Canadians in science and technology

Related Stories

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 piloted by Second Lieutenant Franciszek Jarecki, Rønne airfield, Rønne, Denmark. Jarecki is the gentleman marked by an arrow. Anon., “Undamaged Red Jet in NATO Hands.” The Gazette, 7 March 1953, 2.

A flight for freedom which pierced the Iron Curtain; or, The day Second Lieutenant Franciszek Jarecki escaped from Poland aboard a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 jet fighter

The prototype of the Astro Kinetics Aero Kinetic Lift, Houston, Texas. Anon., “Aircraft and Powerplants – Crane version of ‘flying saucer’ projected in U.S.A.” The Aeroplane and Commercial Aviation News, 7 March 1963, 24.

“Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a Texan flying saucer!” Astro Kinetics Corporation of Houston, Texas, and its unique looking vertical take off landing aircraft

The Canadair Silver Star of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Ottawa, Ontario, June 2005. This aircraft was flown by the Red Knight, the solo aerobatic pilot of the Royal Canadian Air Force, in 1961-64. Alain Rioux, via Wikimedia.

It really kept going and going and going: A brief look at the Canadian career of the Lockheed / Canadair Silver Star jet trainer, part 2

Canada’s Minister of National Defence, Brooke Claxton, left, during the taking of possession of the first Canadian-made Lockheed T-33 Silver Star jet trainer, Cartierville, Québec. Anon., “M. Claxton reçoit le premier réacté T-33 fabriqué ici.” La Patrie, 13 February 1953, 1.

It really kept going and going and going: A brief look at the Canadian career of the Lockheed / Canadair Silver Star jet trainer, part 1

A Woolery Machine Company runway de-icing device in action at Cologne-Wahn airport, Cologne, West Germany. Anon., “Ancillary Review – Flame-throwing – On Ice.” The Aeroplane and Commercial Aviation News, 28 February 1963, 29.

Come on, PB, light my fire. Try to set the ice on fire: A peek at the American firm Woolery Machine Company and some of its ideas and products

The Junkers Ju 52 bushplane registered as CF-ARM of Canadian Airways Limited of Montréal, Québec, Manuan Lake, Québec, August or September 1940. CASM, 13469.

Old bushplanes never die, they just fade away: A few lines, all right, many lines on the remarkable career of a Junkers Ju 52 “flying box car” named CF-ARM, part 3

The Junkers Ju 52 bushplane registered as CF-ARM of Canadian Airways Limited of Montréal, Québec, under repair, Arviat, Nunavut (Eskimo Point, Northwest Territories), September 1932. CASM, 1208.

Old bushplanes never die, they just fade away: A few lines, all right, many lines on the remarkable career of a Junkers Ju 52 “flying box car” named CF-ARM, part 2

The Junkers Ju 52 bushplane registered as CF-ARM of Canadian Airways Limited of Montréal, Québec. Anon., “Pionnier des transports lourds dans le nord du Canada, le ‘Cargo volant’ a fini sa carrière.” Photo-Journal, 29 January 1948, 2.

Old bushplanes never die, they just fade away: A few lines, all right, many lines on the remarkable career of a Junkers Ju 52 “flying box car” named CF-ARM, part 1

Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Sergeant Bob Electro caught in the act of saluting the commanding officer of RCAF Station Clinton, Group Captain John Gordon Mathieson, Clinton, Ontario. Anon., “Six-Year-Old Sergeant.” The North Bay Nugget, 7 January 1963, 15.

Dōmo arigatō, gunsō Electro, mata au hi made: The electronic adventures of Royal Canadian Air Force / Canadian Armed Forces Sergeant Bob Electro

The 10-inch flight impact simulator of the National Research Council of Canada at some point during its long career, Uplands / Ottawa, Ontario. NRC.

A great Canadian success story you should know about: A brief look at the National Research Council of Canada flight impact simulators donated to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Part 3

A bushplane, the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, on display at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. A new text panel sits in front of the aircraft: a gray structure with wood-tone side panels and dark metal legs. Its backlit surface presents the name of the aircraft, a selection of images, and interpretive texts. A life-size display of a dock sits to the right, followed by another aircraft and panel.

Whispering Loudly: An Update about the “Quiet Updates”

The 3.75- / 3.5-inch flight impact simulator of the National Research Council of Canada at some point during its long career, Uplands / Ottawa, Ontario. NRC.

A great Canadian success story you should know about: A brief look at the National Research Council of Canada flight impact simulators donated to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Part 2

Footer

About The Channel

The Channel

Contact Us

Ingenium
P.O. Box 9724, Station T
Ottawa ON K1G 5A3
Canada

613-991-3044
1-866-442-4416
contact@IngeniumCanada.org
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Channel

    • Channel Home
    • About the Channel
    • Content Partners
  • Visit

    • Online Resources for Science at Home
    • Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
    • Canada Aviation and Space Museum
    • Canada Science and Technology Museum
    • Ingenium Centre
  • Ingenium

    • Ingenium Home
    • About Ingenium
    • The Foundation
  • For Media

    • Newsroom
    • Awards

Connect with us

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest Ingenium news straight to your inbox!

Sign Up

Legal Bits

Ingenium Privacy Statement

© 2023 Ingenium

Symbol of the Government of Canada
  • Browse
    • Categories
    • Media Types
    • Boards
    • Featured Stories
  • About
    • About The Channel
    • Content Partners