Totem Poles and Tea

by Hughina Harold

Hughina Harold paints a powerful picture of a world that no longer exists in this compelling account of her experiences as a young teacher and nurse on the remote Broughton Archipelago on British Columbia's coast in the 1930s. Fresh from nursing school in Victoria and eager to start work, Harold could not have imagined the challenges that awaited her in the tiny village of Mamalilikulla. Leaving the comforts of Victoria behind for a cold, leaky floathome that she shared with two elderly missionaries, she had to adapt quickly to her new circumstances. Transported in unreliable boats to remote outposts to treat the sick, attending births in the most primitive conditions, and teaching—from standard, middle-class textbooks—children who had never even seen a car, this gutsy young woman rose to the challenge. The clash of cultures Hughina experienced was extreme, but through it she developed a new understanding of the people she had been sent to teach and treat, discovering their age-old traditions and witnessing ""things that should not be forgotten."" Written decades later and based on letters Harold had written home, Totem Poles and Tea —updated in this second edition with original photos from the Harold family collection—ensures that her memories will be preserved.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1997

Reviews

[Todd Settimo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting account of a young woman’s public service among the Mamalilikulla community of the Kwakawaka’waka Nation in Depression era British Columbia. Young Hughina Bowden, a sheltered graduate from nursing school, takes a teaching post on Village Island with two elderly missionaries. One of them is nearly deaf and the other nearly blind. She takes up residence with them in a floating house, anchored on one side to the beach while the other side rises and falls with the tide. For many reasons, it is a less than optimal living situation.

Hugina’s post is as teacher to the children of the village. What struck me was her resilience and her recognition that the curriculum she was sent to teach had little relevance for the children to whom she was to teach it. So, she adapted to them.

The blurb on the book’s back cover quotes the author, “‘I knew I had witnessed things that shouldn’t be forgotten.’ The result is her account of two years in a world that no longer exists - a first-hand historic perspective and coming-of-age story of a gutsy young woman.”

Those words were what drew me in to buy and read this book, I’d say it delivers on that promise.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating autobiography of 20-year old Hughina Harold who accepts a job as a teacher in Mamalilikulla on Village Island, near Alert Bay BC in 1935. I didn't want the book to end, so I savoured it.

I'm now searching for one of the resident's autobiographies, written by James Sewid who was also in his 20s during Hughina's residency. "Guests Never Leave Hungry" was published in 1969. James Sewid later became the first elected chief of his people in 1950 and an activist in the restoration of First Nations' traditions including the potlatch.

[Russell Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a delight to read. I had found it early this year on Scribd and after ordering it I put it on my summer reads list. This book was an awesome biography that had me feeling as if I was walking the entire journey of Hughina Harold right beside side her. Being in a small fly in/fly out coastal indigenous community I found this book to be rather edifying. Learning about her coping mechanisms for isolation, wrestling with loneliness, experiencing indigenous culture as a "white man" and many other lessons was a joy and inspiration. 5/5 stars!

[Hugh Stowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent counterpoint to the current outlook on the Native residential schools. While the Canadian government, Catholic Church and the RCMP have a despicable record, this book shows that it wasn't all bad all of the time. The author illustrates her willingness to learn about other cultures and adapt to an environment totally alien to what she was familiar with. A quick easy read.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting memoir. It made me to some research on survivors of Indian day schools. I don't imagine every teacher mentioned in this book was innocent.

[Stoned nINJA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Provides nice glimpse in the life of pacafic northwest , specially central bc . Interesting book .

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sure snuck up on me!! I didn’t know a thing about it and man did I love it.

[Andy M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many little stories, reads as a journal. Anyone who has spent some time on the west coast or on the island will love how this book captures the essence of it.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book in a gift shop on Vancouver Island and it sat on my shelf for a long time. I'm glad I finally chose to read it--it's a quiet recounting of a life lived by the author on the shores of British Columbia in the 1930's. For two years, she worked as nurse (her profession) and teacher (not what she was trained to do), yet she good-humoredly engaged with the people and events she found herself experiencing.

It's complicated to read now as we appreciate more how the influence of white non-indigenous people have impacted indigenous peoples in so many negative ways. Hughina was not a missionary set on changing people's views and beliefs, however, and she comes across more as someone who wanted to begin her practice as a nurse and thought she could be useful in the remote villages that she served.

Although the book was written and and published years after her experiences, she manages to capture the feelings of new adventures, the challenges, and the oddities of living as she did. Whether colored by the years that passed since her experiences or not, she does appreciate that what she could offer was not necessarily what the children in these villages really needed. She recounts the disconnect between their lessons and the static way they were expected to be learned and the needs and lives of the people. She also raises the question of why tribal rituals were suppressed and their importance to the people who engaged in them. Other things were not questioned, such as why a poor cow was not better tended, but not everything can be seen equally at all times.

This is not an activist's tome, but it is worthy for what it is--a glimpse of a life that the author was brave and curious enough to engage in, but also realistic in realizing its limitations for her at that time. She seemed to have a generous and adventurist nature--seeing life through her eyes helps share the positives of those attributes.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Having been to Village Island I enjoyed hearing some of its history.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting historical read from the perspective of a young woman living on the BC Coast in 1920, a bygone era it certainly brings to mind how much life has changed, a hard life but fulfilling.