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| As a result of locally flooded farmland in 1956 my parents quite literally loaded up all their possessions and headed out to B.C. looking for work. Many families from the Ashern-Camper-Vogar area moved to the booming Kitimat in the early 50's. Kitimat at the time was a brand new City in the making and was the "Land of Opportunity" for those that had the guts to make the trek to this new community of northwestern Canada. The left photo is my proud parents, Conrad and Esther Johnson in front of their brand new home (73 Capilano St) in Kitimat. The lower left photo is taken three years later in 1959 with two recent additions to our family, my sister Marla Diane and brother Duane Leslie. The fact that Mom and Dad missed their families and their anishinabe friends along with the frustrating climate of endless snow and rain convinced them to move the family back to Vogar in 1961. |
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rear; Johnny M, Leonard M, Garry M, Emma Bone (?), Joseph Spence, unknown lady (?),Blanche D, Ronald M, Billy P, unknown(?), Mrs. Esther Johnson
middle; Mabel M, unknown, Norma M, Glen M, Doreen P, Flora D.
front; Donald Seal, Brian M, Howard M, Douglas S, Marcel D, unknown (?) |
The photos are of my Mother with her Dog Creek School Classes. Mom taught the local children whom she loved so very much. She was so proud of those who excelled and tried so hard to help those that couldn't. The photo above was taken in 1956. The shot on the right was taken shortly before her passing at the tender age of 52 in 1981. I miss my Mother so very much. I would love to be able to tell her of the success stories that came out of Dog Creek School. I would tell her of the students that have graduated that are presently teaching new generations of kids. Teaching them to be positive, to be good people and to always chase their dreams. I have a feeling that she's watching over them even today....................... |
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Mom and Dad's Twenty-Fifth 1975
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| These are Adelines parents, Dan and Marie. I couldn't possibly wish for a nicer family to belong to. They have been friends of my folks for many many years. We became related on Dec 30, 1977 when I married their second daughter, my Adeline. Dan spent many years as a commercial fisherman and a bush worker. |
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Marie still carries on the tradition that she was taught as a child by her mother, the famous Kuko Nonoonse. I am referring to the production of hand made moccasins, mukluks and the occaissional buckskin jacket. All beaded by hand with the presision of a surgeon and more importantly the natural talent that is flowing through her from so many years of dedicated practise.
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"Kuko Nonoonse"
Adeline's grand-mother, the Matriarch of the beautiful Malcolm family;
The Late Catherine Malcolm of the Ebb and Flow Reservation.
Since Kuko was a friend of my family for many years, I consider myself priveledged to have been not only a dear friend, but indeed a part of her family. I have many memories of Kuko. My most cherished memory of her is when she came to Portage la Prairie to pray for my father at his bedside the very evening that he passed away. This very large family can cherish the memories of the countless happy times spent with Kuko. You can be sure that she is watching over them, ensuring that they pass on her sacred values and traditions for many generations to come. |
The album below is photos of both my Johnson and my Malcolm families. |
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