The 撸奶社区Historical Society (SHS) hosts the first of a monthly speaker series celebrating the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of the District of 撸奶社区at the Brackendale Art Gallery on September 11.
鈥淥ur first speaker is Ellen Grant, who is a direct descendant of the Judd pioneer family,鈥� said Bianca Peters, SHS president. 鈥淲e are really excited to have her speak.鈥�
The granddaughter of settlers Barbara Annie and Henry (Harry) Judd, Grant taught in 撸奶社区for almost 40 years before retirement.
鈥淚鈥檒l be looking at Squamish鈥檚 history from the perspective of geography,鈥� said Grant. 鈥淚鈥檒l show how geography shaped Squamish, and was the force behind its history.鈥�
The 74 year old said Squamish鈥檚 initial 鈥渋solation鈥� from the Lower Mainland is what helped make the community so strong and independent.
鈥淲e were so close to Vancouver, but also so far away,鈥� she said. 鈥淓arly in our history we had to go by water to Vancouver for our banking or to go to the hospital. But when that barrier was removed 鈥� when the road to Vancouver was put in 鈥� that changed us as a community.鈥�
Grant said she originally became interested in geography鈥檚 role in 撸奶社区history when speaking to a visiting group of school kids from Ontario.
鈥淭hey were here to learn about their own community by comparing it to other communities,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd they asked a lot of questions about our geography, which made me look at our history from a different perspective. We are usually more involved in the drama of history. But geography has managed us, and we have managed the geography.鈥�
The SHS Speaker Series continues next month with Quest University鈥檚 Steve Quane speaking about the 鈥淕eological History of Squamish鈥� on October 9, followed by long-time 撸奶社区resident and former mayor Corinne Lonsdale covering 鈥溸Ｄ躺缜鳩ifty years of Change and Challenges鈥� on November 13.
Admission to the series is by donation. For more information, go to squamishhistory.ca.
