Lynda Gray, author of First Nations 101, will be the guest speaker for the ECA (Elphinstone Community Association) November meeting. Her book, available at www.firstnations101.com, gives an overview of the diverse and complex lives of First Nations people. It covers “more than 70 subjects including education, youth, child welfare, urbanization, appropriate questions to ask a First Nations person, feminism, the medicine wheel, Two-spirit (LGBTQ), residential schools, the land bridge theory, and language preservation.” Lynda has spoken to many groups interested in a better understanding of the shared history of First Nations and non-First Nations people, so the ECA is especially pleased to have her speak on this important topic. Contact the ECA email at [email protected] to get the Zoom code for the Wednesday, Nov. 11 meeting (7 p.m.). SCRD director Donna McMahon will give her report and as always, residents will have a chance to ask questions and have their say.
Our hardy volunteer Streamkeepers have been at work in Chaster Creek; Angela Kroning says, “So far this year we have seen more chum in Chaster than we did all season last year. The run seems to be building up as each week we get higher counts of live salmon – 0, 5, 12, and 20 this past Friday.” What great news – thanks Streamkeepers! Be sure to check out the Sunshine Coast Streamkeepers website and Facebook Page.
The 2021 Gibsons Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre calendars are out – yay! With new formatting allowing them to hang flat against the wall, all proceeds go to the centre. With all-new Sunshine Coast wildlife images printed on high quality stock these make ideal gifts. For each $25 calendar, you know you’re supporting an important community endeavour, entirely dependent on donations. Phone 604-886-9381 or email [email protected] for info (cash, cheques or e-transfer accepted). I recently saw a rescued a northern pygmy owl on their Facebook Page – it had suffered a concussion from flying into a window. Pygmy owls are the smallest owls found on the Coast and fortunately they were able to help this one recover.
Speaking of Facebook, did you know that the Elphinstone Community Association has a FB Page? Not to be confused with the Elphinstone Community Association FB page in Scotland (east of Edinburgh), ours also has lots of interesting posts! I suppose they were the first to use the name; our mountain and area are named after the 11th Lord Elphinstone, who was First Lord of the Admiralty during Captain Vancouver’s time.
I have a request of my readers – please let me know of Elphinstonians who have passed away in 2020. My last column of the year will be devoted to the important community members we have lost. Contact me at: [email protected]
