Honouring Lydia Campbell
Submitted by Mary Simon on Fri, 2009-07-24 12:16
I applaud the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada for naming Lydia Campbell to its list of historically significant Canadians and congratulate Lydia’s many descendants for this well-deserved honour.
The Labrador elder married twice and raised 13 children. She died more than 100 years ago and is known for her written record of Inuit life on the land. Sketches of a Labrador Life, her memoir of growing up and raising a family among Labrador’s fast-flowing rivers and wooded bays was published in the late 1800s. Her enchanting recollections and poetic style inspire us still.
Here is a short excerpt of her writings:
“So pretty it looks in the fall when we come home from our summer quarters above 70 miles from here. When we are sailing up in our large boat to see the ducks in our bay when we are nearing the river, and when we get ashore to the pretty river banks and walking up the path under our large trees some 50 and some 60 or more feet high, we often meet with a flock of partridges flying up to the trees. Before we get to the house, so pretty, then is the scramble among the young ones who will see the first turnips and potatoes, and sure enough, all around the house is green with turnip tops and between them and the wall of the house is hanging red with moss berries some falls.”
Lydia’s recognition is likely to include a plaque and a ceremony, though no site or date has been announced.
Congratulations Lydia.
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Nakurmiik!
As a great,great,great grand-daughter of Lydia Campbell I wanted to say that I am honoured she is recognized in this way, not only through this Historic Sites and Monuments Board but also by our ITK President and the Inuit of Canada. It is a wonderful opportunity for everyone across Canada to learn about our people and what life was like for Nunatsiavut women 100 years ago. I am very proud to have Grandma Lydia as a role model. Her strength and perseverence inspires me to continue striving towards my goals.
I'm The Grandaughter of Lydia Campell Too !!!
Nakurmik !...love to connect with you !!! I'm Sandra Ainsley, the daughter of Joeseph Ainsley son of Mary Campell then Mary Ainsley.
Cant wait to hear from you !
Honoured , Sandra
Hoping to get in contact with you
Hello there,
My name is Desmond Canning and I am the great great grandson of John campbell (Mary Campbell's father). My Great grandfather was Thomas brother to Mary. I would love to get in contact with you and your family. I have some old photographs of our family as well as a picture of your Grandmother Mary when she was young. I hope to hear from you soon.
Desmond
Descendants of Lydia Campbell
Heather, I have most recently been tracing my family roots ony to find that I too am a descendant of Lydia Campbell. I found this out around the time it was announced she was receiving this award.
I am most interested in comparing notes and finding out how we might be related through this woman.
My Great Grandmother was a daughter of Lydia's son John Campbell.
My great grandfather was the
My great grandfather was the son of John Campbell my grandmother was named after John Campbells wife Martha. I am interested in finding out who you are and i have a lot of information on our family history if your interested. My e-mail id descanning@live.ca.
I am also very proud that my Great Great Great Grandmother was chosen for this award. She not only respresents the people of Nunatsiavut but also the people of NunutuKavut (our ancient land). Her mother was Susan a young Inuk girl who ran away from her community after tragady struck. She married Ambrose Brooks who was much more older than what she was. Their family was some of the first being born of Inuit and european blood. Metis is what some people may refer to it as. The people of NunatuKavut and Nunatsiavut are not much different. We are both Inuit but unfortunatly because of outside influences the Inuit of South central labrador lost their language and other parts of their culture. While in the north the Inuit had the moravian missionaries who helped to keep the Inuttut language alive. But i beleive that Lydia is a prime example of what survives and thrives in our culture. Many of the legends and traditions are still told in our family today. Our hunting, trapping and sef reliant lifestyle still persists. My great Great Great grandmother Lydia once wrote "I am what i am, praise the lord." I am not a pure blood inuk, but my culture and my lifestyle is inuk, and i am what i am.....Praise the lord.
Grandma Lydia
Hi there - if you like you can e-mail me at kikiak @ hotmail . com