Podunk Below the Masthead (Tuesday, May 18, 2010)

Local youth engaging in fisticuffs may wish not to record their efforts for posterity, the School District feels a backlash from their staffing ideas and the Group Addictions program continues to expand in the city, some of the items from the Tuesday news cycle.

Daily News, front page headline story
LOCAL TEACHER'S BOOK OF STORIES AND PLAY HAS BEEN PUBLISHED -- A look at local teacher Pansy Collison who has had her book "Haida Eagle Treasures" published, providing a selection of Haida stories which will receive their offical launch on May 28 at Rainforest Books, those wishing to pick up an autographed copy can drop by for the book signing from 7 to 9 pm.

Prince Rupert's Group Addictions program continues to grow, having moved from its early days at Fishermen's Hall to its current location in the Ocean Centre, where the program has expanded where the eight week program features four sessions a week. The Daily examines the program's success so far and what the future may hold for it.

The current economic recession is impacting hardest on First Nations residents, that as the data from a Statistics Canada survey provides information that First Nations residents living off reserve are suffering the hardest from the ongoing troubles with the economy.

The Sports section features a review of the debut of the softball season, with results from the weekend's Icebreaker tournament

(Daily News archives for Tuesday, May 18, 2010)

Local Teacher's book of stories and plays has been published 
Addictions program continues to evolve 
She's already a-hootin' 
Stats Canada numbers show Aboriginals hit hardest  by recession 
Where in the world is Miss Prince Rupert?

The Northern View
PRDTU protests, says relationship with district diminishing -- Prince Rupert's labour movement is throwing its support behind the Prince Rupert District Teacher's Union in their labour woes with the District (see article here)

The Northern View
Council plans community meetings-- Following up on community concerns over vandalism, recreation services and downtown revitalization, city council is planning for a number of community meetings this fall to move those concerns forward with constructive ideas and solutions (see article here)

The Northern View--
Council working to keep school-- The latest details on plans in Port Edward to keep their school open as the District seeks out funding solutions for their quest (see story here)

CFTK TV 7 News
Fight Club-- Prince Rupert RCMP have stepped in to bring to an end some recently posted fight videos to YouTube, the fights which took place somewhere in one of the city's parks have resulted in at least one charge of assault in connection to the posted fights, CFTK's Sahar Nassimdoost provided this report for TV 7

CBC News British Columbia, Daybreak North
Daybreak North is only posting selected items on their website now. 

The most recently posted items can be found on the archive page for Daybreak North click here

Daily News, front page, headline story 
Local teacher’s book of stories and plays has been published
By George T. Baker
Staff Writer
Prince Rupert Daily News
Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Eight years have gone by and two letters of rejection were endured , but it has all been worth it for Pansy Collison.

Collison has reached her triple score. The elementary school teacher at Roosevelt Park Elementary School has finally done what she set out to do when she was younger – become a teacher (check), earn a Masters Degree (check) and write a book (done). She has finally had her book, ‘Haida Eagle Treasures’ published. She can relax now.

 Crafted from the stories told to Collison when she was a child by her grandmother, the personal narratives of her own life and her mother’s life stories, Collison has painted a lyrical picture of Haida history with her words.

 “What we are sharing right now is our stories so that people can learn about us,” said Collison.

 Smiling and sitting in her Kindergarten classroom, on tiny colourful plastic chairs, Collison discussed the reasons she was inspired to write about the Haida stories.

It was obvious that she is very pleased with how the book turned out. “It was very important to pass on the stories my grandmother told me – to record them, so that we can pass them on to a new generation.”

 When it comes to culture, stories are at the heart of any society. The Haida, who are experiencing a small political renaissance on the Canadian political scene, must have their stories to tell so that title and jurisdiction make sense. 

But Collison is careful to add that this book is not political. It doesn’t hurt to have the heightened politics of their times in the background, but this book really is about 
education.

The book is written with the teenager to university student crowd in mind, but stories and plays included in Haida Eagle Treasures are easily accessible to an elementary school base as well.

Stories such as ‘How the Haida People were Created’ and ‘The Haida Woman and the Bear’ are meant for an elementary school audience.

Plays such as ‘Tow and Tow-Ustahsin’ featuring Tow - the famous Haida icon for whom Tow Hill on northern Graham Island is named - and his brother, is also best enacted by elementary students.

 “The oral stories tell us our history, of our crests, of our land and of our people. It validates who we are,” said Collison.

 Collison draws on a vast knowledge of her community as a Haida cultural ‘insider’, documenting her own participation in two cultures: her place within the Haida traditions and her role as teacher in mainstream culture. 

“This book is a labor of love. I have accomplished my three goals and now I hope my book will create a better understanding and appreciation of Haida heritage through my voice.”

 ‘Haida Eagle Treasures’ will be officially launched on May 28 at Rainforest Books on Third Ave. West. Collison will be there to sign those books from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.