The Basin Record Newsletter Vol.2 Issue 4

Name: _______________________________________ Mailing Address:_______________________________ ____________________________________________ Phone Number:________________________________ Email Address:_ _______________________________ Become a member of the Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History Individual: $25.00 Family: $40.00 Institutional: $50.00 Corporate: $200.00 Annual Membership Fee: Please drop-off or mail this form - with payment in cash, cheque or money order to: Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History, 21-A 10th Ave S, Cranbrook BC, V1C 2M9 Phone: 489-9150 City of Cranbrook We are sorry to record the passing, earlier this year, of Wilfred Jacobs , a constant worker in the field of Ktunaxa history and culture. We also must set the record straight by stating that Leo Williams , who had mistakenly been reported as passed away, is alive and well. Leo is still working to encourage the teaching and sharing of Ktunaxa knowledge and we wish him many more years and much success with his work. OOPS! Thequestionalways is, “what canwe learnfromhistory?” Andmore often than not “Nothing!” is the reply. At the Columbia Basin Institute we would argue that what history does is give us time and distance. Time lets us reflect on what others have done, and whether or not we want to continue those acts and attitudes. Distance allows us to remove ourselves from the passion of the moment, from the dogma of causes and conflict. The following selections from Basin newspapers of approximately 100 years ago demonstrates some of the ways we might learn from history and brings forward some of the attitudes we may no longer wish to embrace. The language is sometimes harsh but is instructive of the time. The subject populations live here still and, fortunately, time has resolved the issues and attitudes associated with the people. But we always have newcomers, and newcomers can always be seen as different if we don’t work to include them. ***** from The Donald Truth (1888): A right move: The substitution of white for Chinese help at the Selkirk. from The Nelson Economist (1898): It is quite evident that the miners of Sandon do not want John Chinaman, but the method of getting rid of the despised Celestial, while it possesses the merit of being most effective, may conflict with the laws of the land. from TheGoldenTimes(1908):Regardingthecomplaintofalleged discrimination against Englishmen on city works, Engineer Rust of Toronto says the newly arrived Englishmen are a grumbling lot of men and raise trouble. After they are in the country for two or three years and get settled down, they are all right. He says the city gets better work out of Italians. from TheNelsonEconomist (1898):An Italian found inpossession ofarevolverwasonMondaybroughtbeforeMagistrateCreaseand fined $25 for the offence and had the weapon confiscated. Chief McKinnon is having a sharp lookout for dangerous Dagoes. from The Nelson Economist (1898): It is said that Nelson is to have a Chinatown, and that it is to be in the vicinity of the skating rink. Hard on the skating rink. Historic Racism from The Golden Times (1908): The Hindus are another class that we find huddled in groups in various camps of the province. They do not take up land, but work for railroads and sawmills. They live in box cars or any shelter that comes handy. They will not eat meat and have no respect for Pat Burns, although around Eholt I have known them to steal chickens. The bulk of their money goes back to Punjaub, in India, but for Imperial reasons we have to tolerate these turbaned subjects of King Edward much the same as we have to tolerate bedbugs in a country hotel. With the country filled with Japs, Chinks, Hindus, Siwashes, Doukhobors, Grits and Cheap raised Canadians British Columbia will ere long resemble the Garden of Eden over-run by swarms of locusts and mosquitoes. from The Nelson Economist (1898): The first Chinaman has appeared in Cranbrook, says The Herald of that City, and will act doubtless, as the forerunner ofmany of his kind. While only one is to deal with, the citizens of that town had better pitch himout neck and crop. Once let John get a foothold and it is off with the town. The less towns with Chinamen in the better for the province. from The Golden Times (1908): About seventy-five Hindoos left the city last week for different points on the coast. We wish the rest of themwould take the notion. from The Ledge New Denver) (1897): There are no yellow Chinamen left in the lower Slocan country.