The Vanderhoof
Public Library throbbed to the sound of native drums and traditional
Carrier
songs on Saturday January 26th as guests snacked on smoked
salmon,
bannock and deserts garnished with wild blueberries and saskatoons. In her welcoming remarks, library board
chairperson Pat Helland spoke of Mary John's committment to literacy,
education
and the preservation of First Nations language and culture. The official opening of the Mary John
Collection began with an audiovisual tribute to Mary John by her
granddaughter-in-law Amber Teed.
John Rustad, M.L.A.
for Prince George-Omineca and Sabina Iselli-Otto of Library Services
Branch of
the Ministry of Education in Victoria both praised the establishment of the collection which provides Nechako Valley
and area communities with the most comprehensive collection of First
Nations
books, dvd's and native music in northern British Columbia. The
collection has
a special focus on the Carrier people and includes children's and teen
books.
Jack French, master
of ceremonies and representative for the District of Vanderhoof thanked
the
volunteers, the John Family, librarian Jane Gray, library staff and
board and
generous donors to the project: Nechako-Kitimaat Development Fund
Society,
Saik'uz First Nation, Cheslatta First Nation, L&M Lumber Ltd.,
Nechako
Lumber Co. Ltd., Alcan Primary Metals, Knight Creek Furniture Gallery,
George
LaBrash, Craig and Ruth Hooper, James B. Hoare and Dale Horita.
After the
presentation of a framed Mary John legacy poster to the library from
the John
Family, Scott McIntosh and Mary's granddaughters and great
granddaughters,
Gladys Michell, Theresa John, Denise Raymond, and Rosa and Cora
McIntosh
entertained the crowd with three traditional Carrier songs, "Morris
Quaw's
Lament", "Bird Song", and "Four Winds." The
ribbon cutting to officially open the
collection was conducted by Mary's sons and daughters, Ernie John,
Bernice
Spicer, Ray John, Johnny John, and Flo Teed, with great-grandson Dylan
Michell
and grandson Calvin John holding the ribbon.
Over 100 guests packed the Vanderhoof Library to watch the sons and daughters of Mary John Sr. cut the ribbon at the ceremony officially opening the Mary John Collection on Saturday, January 26. The collection houses over 800 books and 100 DVD’s on First Nations topics. The late Mary John, respected elder from the Saik’uz First Nation south of Vanderhoof was the subject of the book Stoney Creek Woman. Among the many honours received during her life were an honourary degree from UNBC and the Order of Canada. L. to R., Ernie John, Bernice Spicer, Ray John (cutting ribbon), Johnny John and Flo Teed. Holding the ribbon (but not in photo) were great-grandson Dylan Michell and grandson Calvin John. Photo credit: Gloria Harford
(more about the Mary John collection)
