Elders' stories saved for future

Salish Elders

By Wim Tewinkel

Caitlin Press Inc.

76 pages (sc)

$35.95

Salish Elders, a new book by photographer and author Wim Tewinkle, captures snippets of memories from 21 Elders of the Interior Salish Nation in British Columbia.

The book is dominated by large color photos of the Elders, who come from the Lil'wat Nation, the N'Quatqua First Nation and the Samahquam band. Accompanying the photographs are the Elders' recollection, in their own words, of some of the highlights of their lives.

Memories of parents and grandparents, success in sports, experiences in school and changes that came to their communities are just some of the topics the Elders talk about in the book.

Elder Harry Wells shares a story about how he earned a medal during the Second World War by sneaking across enemy lines to plant explosives. Elder Alex Peters tells of his experiences working perilous jobs, first as a logger working in the high rigging, and later driving logs down the Lillooet River.

Elder Celina Stager recalled memories of her mother, who had acted as the nurse for the community of Lil'wat, of gardening and selling chicken eggs as a child, and of her experiences going away to school in Mission.

The book offers readers a glimpse into the lives of these people, and captures their remembrances for future generations.