The newly published book Salish Elders, by Wim Tewinkel, is of great local interest.
Salish Elders is a coffee table format photography book that depicts elders of the First Nations communities near Whistler and Pemberton. The perceptive photographs show the people relaxed and in familiar settings and demonstrate how much the subjects are at ease with the photographer. The elders relate, in their own words, recollections of their lives. Their reminiscences include descriptions of the residential schools, jobs they worked at and war experiences.
Wim Tewinkel, who has lived in the Pemberton area for over 20 years, is trained as a professional forester. Over the years he has worked with the local First Nations and has developed personal ties with many members of the communities.
In the book he wanted to convey to others some of the aspects of the lives these people had experienced and the changes they had gone through.
On Nov. 20 th , the Whistler Public Library is sponsoring an evening with Wim Tewinkel during which he will present the book and discuss his experiences while making the book. Some of the First Nations’ elders from the book will also be invited so you can meet them in person.
The evening is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Myrtle Philip Community Centre lounge. Autographed copies of the book will be available. Admission is free.
Canada Reads
The shortlist of books for the third annual Canada Reads contest has been decided. This year, for the first time, Canada Reads will not only be broadcast on CBC Radio One, it will be televised on CBC Newsworld.
From Feb. 16th to the 20th, five prominent Canadians will each defend the one book they want all of Canada to read. In 2003 panelists chose Next Episode ( Prochain Épisode ) by Hubert Aquin and in 2002, In the Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje.
Host Bill Richardson will lead the debate with panelists Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy; filmmaker and journalist Francine Pelletier; author Zsuzsi Gartner; Winnipeg mayor Glen Murray and opera sensation Measha Brueggergosman.
The shortlist of books is:
• The Last Crossing by Guy Vanderhaeghe — chosen by Jim Cuddy
• Le coeur est un muscle involontaire (The Heart is an Involuntary Muscle ) by Monique Proulx, translated by David Homel and Fred A. Reed — chosen by Francine Pelletier
• Barney's Version by Mordecai Richler — chosen by Zsuzsi Gartner
• Green Grass, Running Water by Thomas King — chosen by Glen Murray
• The Love of a Good Woman by Alice Munro — chosen by Measha Brueggergosman
For more details, go to www.cbc.ca/canadareads. Special features include profiles of the books, authors and panelists, plus online readers' guides, a discussion forum and more. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of the final Canada Reads title will be donated to the ABC Canada Literacy Foundation.
