The Geography of Memory

This is a free event.

Join Shelly Boyd, sn̓ʕay̓ckstx (Sinixt) Cultural Facilitator, La Rae Wiley and Eileen Delehanty Pearkes and for lively discussion and a reading from the 20th-anniversary edition of The Geography of Memory.

This updated volume about the displacement of the sn̓ʕay̓ckstx (Sinixt) First People of British Columbia’s West Kootenays includes the voices of La Rae and other contemporary Sinixt people, new maps/illustrations/photographs,details about the landmark Supreme Court of Canada decision, R. v.Desautel, and more about efforts to re-introduce ocean salmon to the upper Columbia River region. 

The book charts a hopeful, positive path as the formerly “extinct” tribe reclaims its cultural, natural and spiritual history in Canada.  In characteristically gracious prose, Pearkes identifies the enduring human qualities of persistence, healing and renewal, with a book that carves a path of truth across the region’s complex, transboundary landscape.

The evening will also feature the premier of two short films: Washed Away, by Agathe Bernard and the June 10, 2022 Sinixt Celebration of the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in R v. Desautel in Nelson, by Carlo Alcos.

To gain a deeper sense of the background for this event, you can read Greg Nesteroff’s article here. Be sure to check out the recording of Greg’s entire interview with Eileen which is available at the end of the article.

Performance venue:

The Capitol Theatre

421 Victoria Street
Nelson, BC V1L 5R2
Phone: (250) 352-6363