JULY/AUGUST 2000
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THE GULF OF GEORGIA CANNERY, a national historic site located in historic Steveston in Richmond, British Columbia, this year highlights Scottish-Canadian contributions.
Honouring a Historic West Coast Connection
ANCOUVER - The Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, located in historic Steveston in Richmond, is presenting Cannery Day 2000 on August 6.
This is an annual event which celebrates the multi-cultural history of the West Coast fishing industry. Every year, Cannery Day highlights the contribution of one cultural group to this industry. This year, the Scottish-Canadian community is the focus of the event.
Cannery Day 8000 is an opportunity for the public of all ages and cultures to learn about the historic ties which link the fishing industry and the Scottish-Canadian community. Guided tours, small exhibit displays, films and theatre skits will convey historical information.
Other activities such as music, dance performances, and culinary demonstrations will provide insights into the local Scottish-Canadian population. The event program will provide an entertaining and meaningful experience to the participants.
The Scottish impact on the foundation, growth and development of the West Coast fishing indus-
try has been profound. It was Scots, in the employ of the great fur-trading ventures, who were the first Europeans to realize the great abundance and value of the salmon and the first to exploit it commercially.
By 1870, conditions were right for the birth of the commercial salmon canning industry and it was a partnership of Scots who inaugurated the industry by establishing the province's first salmon cannery in Annieville on the Fraser River that same year.
Chief among them was Alexander Ewen, the principal figure in the first 37 years of the industry and the man regarded as "the father of salmon canning in British Columbia."
But what were the necessary conditions which gave rise to the industry? These were resource, market, labour, technology, materials, transportation, entrepre-
INTERNATIONAL GATHERING OF CELTIC WOMEN
MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin - The third annual Celtic Women International Conference (CWI) will present a high-powered line-up of entertainers, speakers and participants from all seven Celtic nations in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from October 12 to 14.
Celtic Women International, an organization which has grown tremendously since its inception in 1997, welcomed over 200 men and women to last year's highly successful conference. Organizers expect numbers to increase substantially this year.
The program for this year's event is rich with Celtic women such as renowned Irish author Morgan Llywelyn; the musical Wrigley Sis-
ters from Scotland; the Giiind Bard from Cornwall, An" Trevenen Jenkin; Irish actress Maggie Cronin; Celtic musicians Betsy McGovcrn and Beth Patterson of The Poor Clares; Manx storyteller, Joan Gil'; Welsh musician, Sian James; Celtic and Cornish scholar Amy Hale, Ph.D.; Scottish folk singer and storyteller, Flora MacDonald Gammon and many more.
In addition, specialty vendor booths will offer books, inu£ic, clothing, jewelery, arts and ci;i|,s from Celtic countries that arc not readily available elsewhere.
A conference highlight is the Exceptional Celtic Woman Award
neurs and financiers, and each of these converged in the province in 1870. It was Scots who first recognized this convergence and it was they who seized upon the opportunity.
Scotland is rich in fishing folklore and the Scots have been fishing since time immemorial. Salmon fishing at river mouths is traditional and herring fishing began in earnest around 1790. Salting was the predominant processing technology. Scottish fisheries were at their height as Scots were developing British Columbia's fisheries.
Cannery Day 2000, on August 6, with the Scottish-Canadian community, provides an educational opportunity for the whole family to celebrate the contributions of the Scottish-Canadian community to the West Coast fishing industry.
Celebration activities will take place at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery, located at 12138 Fourth Avenue in Richmond, B.C. (Historic Steveston Village) from 12 noon to 5 PM. For more information call (604) 664-9009 . •
Special thanks to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site for the historical facts provided in the above article.
presented annually to celebrate, honour and inspire women of Celtic heritage throughout the world. The first award, made in 1999, went to novelist and Nobel Prize nominee Morgan Llywelyn.
CWI we Iconics men as well as women who are Celtic or who are interested in Celtic culture and in celebrating the accomplishments of women of that culture.
Further information is available on their website at: www.celtic women .org. For brochure and reg-istration form, contact Celtic Women International at E-Mail: cwi@ celticwomcn.org or write P.O. Box 1384, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA.
CANNERY DAY 2000
At the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site
Celebrating the contribution of the Scottish
Canadian Community to the West Coast Fishing Industry
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Parks Pares Canada Canada
Celebrate CANNERY DAY 2000 -Learn about the historical ties that link the fishing industry with the Scottish-Canadian community.
$ Theatre and Musical
Performances $ Cooking Demos
Children's Games $ Multimedia Exhibits $ Films
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL:   (604) 664-9009
SUNDAY, AUGUST 6 -12:00 to 5:00 P.M. GULF OF GEORGIA CANNERY (in historic Steveston Village)
12138 Fourth Avenue, Richmond
Admission:
Children under 6 free Children 6-16 $2.50 Students $3.75        Adults $5.00 Seniors $3.75 Family $12.00
car ftaffy and Treasure Mont
When? Satuday 22nd July Where? The Langleys
Time? Between 2pm & 6pm Cost? $ 12 per person
For information & tickets. call Peter Lord at 931-4357 or Cliff Caprani at 879-7593
Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce. Vancouver Chapter.
visit our website-, www.ire-can-cc.bc.ca