News report on Joined Hands
Joined Hands exhibit opens honouring Louisa Silva and Jane Degnen
By Derek Kilbourn
Tuesday, November 11 2008
It was shoulder to shoulder capacity at the Gabriola Museum as the grand opening of the Joined Hands exhibit was held, honouring the memory of Gabriola founders Jane Degnen and Louisa Silva. Included in the audience were numerous descendants of the Degnen and Silva families, who have spread along the B.C. coastline in the 150 years since their forefamilies built homes on Gabriola. Marelee Hoiowaat (Louisa Silva) was born between 1858 and 1862 as part of the Tlatki Tribe (Cowichan group). She died June 2, 1926. In 1881 she was married to John Silva (born 1845 in Cape Verde). Janimetga Jeameya (Jane Degnen) was born between 1833 - 1844 into the Gabriola area First Nations and died March 14, 1919. She was married Sept. 4, 1868 to Thomas Degnen (born circa 1833 in Longford, Ireland). Both the Degnens and Silvas came to Gabriola as part of a group of European and First Nations in the 1860s who were seeking an area where land was available and life could be lived with freedom from outside interference. David Andrews from the museum explained the men, John and Thomas, were both fishermen – this meant days could go by without them coming home. Essentially the 12 Silva children and nine Degnen children were raised by their mothers, who instilled in them many of the beliefs and traditions of their First Nations and European heritages. Going through the exhibit, David explained the baskets on display as ‘extremely rare.’ The one ‘total symmetrical basket’ is thought to be one-of-a- kind, and a demonstration of Louisa’s skill as a weaver. Geraldine Manson, elected council member, and elders coordinator with the Snuneymuxw First Nation officially opened the exhibit. “Today I am honoured to be here, to be invited to come and do an opening prayer and acknowledge the significance of these two wonderful women who lived on the island. “I thank Mary [Wohlleben] for taking to heart learning the history of First Nations on the island. We have had a presence here over many years, and while we don’t have anyone living here now, one day we will be able to come over and build a home or two on the island. Today I am here on behalf of my chief Viola Wyse and my council, on behalf of the elders in our community who are connected to the Silvas - Shirley Mannex and Alan Thomas. “I want to welcome each and everyone here today with a prayer song and to honour the significance of the history here.
“Great Creator I raise my hands to you today.
“I raise my hands in thanking you for guiding us and bringing us together.
“I raise my hands to thank you for putting that shining light on to a path that each and every one of us has found our place here today, Great Creator. In honour of two special women, in honouring their presence, their achievements and the history they left behind.
“Honouring those that are part of the family tree, those that are with us today and those who are standing with them today. I believe in my heart, Great Creator, they are here, they are also gathered to witness the memories of their souls here. Great Creator, I ask that you embrace each and everyone here today. Embrace them with life and hope.
“Embrace those who might be ailing.
“Embrace those who might need support.
“Embrace those who acknowledge the hard work and vision they had to bring this event together, Great Creator.
“In that I would like to say Great Creator. Hy-ch-ga, Hy-ch-ga si:em.”
Mary Wohlleben opened the ceremonies, saying, “Working on this project has been a wonderful and fascinating experience. We have many thanks to give.
“We thank the Creator for this beautiful island, for the history and lifestyle it provides.
“We thank Jane and Louisa who’s spirit, strength and wisdom helped develop the foundation of this community. We thank the elders and seniors who’s wisdom continues to enlighten us. We thank the people representing the community through government, educating and providing spiritual guidance.” She also thanked the provincial government who’s funding through the ‘150 B.C. Celebrating Women of Influence, Seniors and Elders’ program made the project possible.
“We thank the individuals who through their words and efforts contributed to the recognition of these fine women. Joey Caro,( Hul’qumi’um Treaty Group ), Geraldine Manson (Snuneymuxw First Nation), Mechelle Crocker, Joanne Peterson, Leo and Gaylia Nelson, Don Greenway, Teresa Bennett, Gordie and Laurie MacDonald, Bernice Wardill, and Dr. Jean Barman. Also, the Gabriola Museum for the collection, protection and preservation of these timeless stories and artifacts.
“We would like to thank Janet and David Andrews and Alison Douglas who’s time, effort and commitment made possible this project today.
“I would like to thank Laura Lasby for her support, guidance and expertise in the development and presentation of this wonderful new display.”
MLA Jean Crowder was also present for the opening, saying, “I first want to acknowledge the organizers who put this together with such a short time frame, I think that speaks to the energy and creativity on Gabriola. With such a short time frame you can pull together such an amazing event. Just briefly talking to people here who had relations, there is a lot of excitement around reclaiming these pieces of history. I think it’s interesting that the museum and the organizers chose to focus on two women. We know that in many of our cultures, it is the women who are the keepers of the stories, the keepers of the traditions. The fact that we get to celebrate the marvellous history of these two families through these two women is an opportunity for each and every one of us to reexamine our own traditions and history and culture. So I encourage you to talk to some of the people that are here, share some stories. I am sure this will be an eye-opener on the history of the island.”
Shauna Switzer, descendant of Pearl Silva, had a surprise during the ceremonies. “I was standing there, looking around at the faces, and I thought I saw my mom. She passed away years ago. It was my cousin, I thought, I have to be related to this person. “This is wonderful.” Her cousin Sandy Schaede, who lives in Ladysmith, said, “This is excellent. Just getting to meet different people, we knew we had to be related somehow.”
Mary concluded the ceremonies saying, “It must be noted that Henry Silva, the youngest son, was the keeper of the basket and it was through he and his wife Vivian’s donation of the basket to the museum that we are able to have them here to share you. So we thank the Silvas for providing this artifact and bringing us closer to the history of the island we live on. “To think these families picnicked and socialized together so long ago. I doubt very much that Jane and Louisa would have though 150 years later their great-great-grandchildren would be socializing and enjoying time together again.”
Museum opening times for the special exhibit Joined Hands: The Coast Salish and European Settlement of Gabriola Island are Saturdays and Sundays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., throughout November; and for the first two weekends in December.