London

Tomson Highway – His Memoir Permanent Astonishment and His Time in London, Ontario, Canada, 1975-1978

London, residential schools, Tomson Highway / /

Cree writer and pianist Tomson Highway’s memoir Permanent Astonishment provides many insights into why he is a Canada Indigenous frontrunner. He successfully navigated his way through nine challenging years at a residential school. Then from 1975 to 1978, he got two B.A.’s from Western, coordinated the Festival of Native Music ’78 and became my friend.

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Part Two of Three – John Baptist Askin (1788-1869) – His Connection to My Eldon House Play

Eldon House, John Baptist Askin, London / /

London, Ontario Metis office holder, John Baptist Askin (1788-1869) was discussed by the two characters in my Eldon House play. While Amelia Harris (1798-1882) considered Askin to be one of her “oldest friends,” John Wilson (1809-1869) did not share her enthusiasm.

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Part One of Three – John Baptist Askin (1788-1869) – His Connection to London, Ontario, Canada

Detroit, John Baptist Askin, London, Ontario / /

London, Ontario Metis office holder, John Baptist Askin (1788-1869) was a controversial figure in the Forest City. Journalist L N Bronson (1905-1994) described Askin in a 1968 London Free Press article as “Colonel to his friends, Indian to his detractors.”

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