News report on Joined Hands
Joining hands and histories
by Chris Bowers
Thursday, November 13 2008
Long term Gabriola residents, their descendants, and newcomers to Gabriola packed the Gabriola Museum for the Nov. 1 opening of “Joined Hands: the Coast Salish and European Settlement of Gabriola Island”.The exhibit was designed to honour Louisa Marlee Hoiowatt Silva and Jane Janimitga Jeamaya Degnann, two First Nations women who were among the founding mothers of Gabriola Island. Jane and Louisa settled on Gabriola with their European husbands and raised large families. The exhibit points out that their work and stories are integral to the history of the island.
Project coordinator/ exhibition designer Laura Lasby was hired to put together the display of history and artefacts. Lasby said of the beautifully and professionally presented display, that the collection of the material was a team effort.
She said that many of the artefacts are on loan to the museum, and that the team is particularly chuffed to have been loaned a set of tule mat needles, or weaving wands. She said this loan was particularly important because it made it possible for the researchers to learn how First Nations weavers did their work.
Lasby commended the team work of David Andrews, Janet Stobbs, and Alison Douglas, and especially Mary Wohlleben, who found the funding for the exhibit.
Wohlleben said the exhibit took two months to pull together. She said she heard provincial grants were being distributed for the 150 year BC anniversary through the Women of Influence program. She “read the requirements and realised that it fit for Jane and Louise”. Wohlleben said “we knew we already had artefacts” that they could use. “We got the grant”, she said, “then the real work began”.
Wohlleben said: “There was a lot of driving up and down the island between Duncan and Campbell River, collecting photos, and listening to stories”. We “made some great friends” in the process, she said.She agreed with Lasby saying the committee which wrote the scripts, and catalogued, and documented the artefacts was “phenomenal”.
The descendants of Jane and Louisa, Wohlleben added, “are a living legacy. They are here right now and are joining hands again 150 years later. Jane and Louisa socialised 150 years ago and today their descendants are doing the same”.
Wohlleben opened the ceremony with a moving speech in which she expressed thanks to a number of people including “Jane Degnen and Louisa Silva whose spirit, strength and wisdom helped develop the foundation of this community”, “… the elders and seniors whose wisdom continues to enlighten us”, and the witnesses, “… who through their words and efforts have contributed to the recognition of these fine women”.
In particular she thanked Joey Caro, of the Hul’qumi’um Treaty Group, Geraldine Madsen, of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, Michelle Crocker, Joanne Peterson, Leo & Gaylia Nelson, Don Greenway, Teresa Bennett, Gordon & Laurie MacDonald, Bernice Wardill, and Dr. Jean Barman.
Wohlleben also thanked Henry Silva who was “the keeper of the basket” for sharing the Silva history with the community.“Working on this project has been a wonderful experience. The stories I have been privileged to hear and the company I have had the pleasure of keeping have been a gift to me,” Wohlleben said.
Snuneymuxw Elder Geraldine Manson conducted the traditional welcome and opening prayer on behalf of Chief Viola Wyse, Snuneymuxw elders, and members of the community.Nanaimo-Cowichan Member of Parliament Jean Crowder also spoke, saying: “It is good that women are honoured this way. It is women who are the keepers of history and culture, and the history shared today will be an eye opener.”
The exhibit can be seen at the Gabriola Museum which is Open Sat-Sun 1-4 p.m. Nov. 1 to Dec. 14.