'We can showcase the
beauty of the island and our community to places outside Haida Gwaii'
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Carsen Gray and Lynn
Hughan say they always wanted to write a book together.
(Submitted by Carsen Gray)
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A Haida mother and daughter are sharing stories about the children
in their family in a new bilingual children's book.
Lynn Hughan and Carsen Gray said that they had always wanted to
write a book together, and this year that dream finally came true.
"Writing and illustrating has always been something I've wanted
to do," said Hughan.
Hughan manages the gift shop at the Haida Gwaii museum. Her daughter
is a singer/songwriter and artist and was working with the book's
publisher TakingITGlobal, when the opportunity came up for them
to write a book together.
They both live in the Haida community of Skidegate, B.C., on Haida
Gwaii.
The story of Twelve Months of Fun on Haida Gwaii with Mattie and
Jojo is based on Gray's children's lives and the seasonal activities
they do together.
"I really wanted to incorporate familiar people, faces and places
on the island that are popular to other children, other places that
other children enjoy visiting as well," said Gray.
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The story of Twelve Months
of Fun on Haida Gwaii with Mattie and Jojo is based on Grays
childrens lives and the seasonal activities they do
together. (TakingITglobal)
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She added that the book is also an introduction to the Haida language
for children.
Bringing the Haida language into the book wasn't something they
had initially thought about but then they said it just happened.
Neither of them are fluent in the language so they used their dictionary
and got help from local speakers for the translations.
"My hope for the book is that it will be within the elementary
schools and cherished with families in the community," said Gray.
They also included an audiobook so people who live outside of the
community can listen and learn as well.
"It's kind of cool because we can showcase the beauty of the island
and our community to places outside Haida Gwaii."
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