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Cece Hodgson McCauley (1922-2018), Tomson Highway and Aaron Pete – Three Indigenous Risk-Takers

Honorary Dene chief Cece Hodgson McCauley (1922-2018), Cree writer and musician Tomson Highway and Aaron Pete, Chief of the Chawathil First Nation in British Columbia, were/are Indigenous risk-takers whose points of view are worth further study.

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“A Friendship Based on the Arts” – Jay Peterson (1920-1976) and Jessica Hill

Jessica Hill, who is originally from Oneidas of the Thames, and who now lives in the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, met my mother Jay Peterson (1920-1976) in the mid-1960s. They shared an interest in the arts. Hill considered my mother to be like a “second mother” and named her daughter Leith in honour of my mother.

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My Intriguing Royce Relatives, Including Sarah, Marion and Jean Royce

A discussion of my intriguing Royce Relatives: “Frontier Lady” Sarah Royce (1819-1891) whose published account of life during the 1849 Gold Rush is still in print, Marion Royce (1901-1987) women’s rights advocate and Order of Canada recipient, and Jean Royce (1904-1982) the longest-serving registrar of Queen’s University (1933-1968).

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Tomson Highway – His Memoir Permanent Astonishment and His Time in London, Ontario, Canada, 1975-1978

Cree writer and pianist Tomson Highway’s memoir Permanent Astonishment provides many insights into why he is a Canada Indigenous frontrunner. He successfully navigated his way through nine challenging years at a residential school. Then from 1975 to 1978, he got two B.A.’s from Western, coordinated the Festival of Native Music ’78 and became my friend.

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Peterson Family Christmases, London, Ontario, Canada, 1952-1965

Peterson family Christmases from 1952 to 1965 were multi-faceted. My mother Jay Peterson (1920-1976) created unique Noel-inspired artwork. My brothers Stu and Chris (1954-2009) prepared Christmas cards at the Leith, Ontario print shop. I wrote an account of what London, Ontario’s Victoria Park Christmas displays were like in the mid-1960s.

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Part Three of Three – John Baptist Askin (1788-1869) – The Askin Family’s Connection to Detroit, 1700s-1800s

London, Ontario Metis office holder, John Baptist Askin (1788-1869) hailed from Detroit, where his family were well-known citizens. His grandfather’s son-in-law Elijah Brush (1775-1813) advocated for the freedom of two Black slaves, Peter and Hannah Denison. The Denison’s daughter, Lisette Denison, helped establish a church in 1868 where people of any background could worship.

Part Three of Three – John Baptist Askin (1788-1869) – The Askin Family’s Connection to Detroit, 1700s-1800s Read More »

Part Two of Three – John Baptist Askin (1788-1869) – His Connection to My Eldon House Play

London, Ontario Metis office holder, John Baptist Askin (1788-1869) was discussed by the two characters in my Eldon House play. While Amelia Harris (1798-1882) considered Askin to be one of her “oldest friends,” John Wilson (1809-1869) did not share her enthusiasm.

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Part One of Three – John Baptist Askin (1788-1869) – His Connection to London, Ontario, Canada

London, Ontario Metis office holder, John Baptist Askin (1788-1869) was a controversial figure in the Forest City. Journalist L N Bronson (1905-1994) described Askin in a 1968 London Free Press article as “Colonel to his friends, Indian to his detractors.”

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