This is the first of a four-part tribute to my mother on the 40th anniversary of her passing December 15, 1976. I discuss her 1950s paintings of children, her design of the “Moo Cow” marionette for James Reaney’s “Apple Butter” play, and her baby chair invention which was acquired by Museum London.
My father Charles T Peterson loved to tell the story of his great-grandfather Michael Sullivan. Michael changed his name from O’Sullivan to Sullivan after he got on the wrong side of the Roman Catholic Church. My cousin, Ken Whiteley’s song “That Other Shore” tells Michael’s story. Whiteley played it at Home County in July 2016.
More Canadians need to be involved with Indigenous policy decision making, including Indigenous people who believe a “two-way street” approach is needed to rectify problem areas. Decisions should not be left in the hands of those who are only supporting selective policy initiatives which do not benefit all Indigenous people.
Many Indigenous people have no trouble maintaining their identity, while at the same time participating in Canadian society. There are definitely problems with mainstream Canadian society, but I think it would be better to try to change the mainstream for the better, rather than attempt to dismantle it.
I am in favour of Indigenous people maintaining their rights, but also their Canadian citizenship. However, I believe any rights maintained should not harm Aboriginals or Non-Aboriginals.
I incorporate my mother’s artwork into Christmas cards. The 2014 addition was of her family enjoying a get together in 1942. In 2015, I used her 1939 Christmas carollers creation.
2014 and 2015 Additions to “Cards of the Season – the Art of Jay Peterson” Read More »
I am very much aware of the harm that resulted from numerous aspects of the Indigenous residential schools. However, there were Aboriginals who graduated from these schools, who went on to lead productive and successful lives. This post provides examples of those who had positive experiences.
Canadian Indigenous Residential Schools – Counter-Narratives Read More »
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada final report executive summary (2015) overemphasizes the negative and under-reports the positive. The lessons from the painful accounts need to be translated into more than a blueprint for “stratospheric rights,” particularly since not all Indigenous people are on the same page when it comes to this executive summary.
My custom domain, www.leithpeterson.ca, is the way to locate this site.
My Custom Domain, www.leithpeterson.ca, is the Way to Locate This Site Read More »
My mother Jay Peterson designed two posters for the Canadian Mental Health Association – London-Middlesex Branch Mental Health Week in 1952. One was a functional family montage and the other was a dysfunctional one. I will leave it up to you to decide if these posters are still relevant today.