Visiting the city of Moose Jaw was exciting for me when I was growing up on the prairie east of Elbow, Saskatchewan. I'm pleased to see the Moose Jaw Express publish this nice article by Sasha-Gay Lobban.
(Photo of Moose Jaw signs by Deb MacFadden, Flickr Creative Commons.)
MOOSEJAW
EXPRESS
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
PAGE A15
Sask. born author writes book for Canada’s 150th
birthday
by Sasha-Gay Lobban
Saskatchewan’s own Elma (Martens)
Schemenauer has written a compelling
book that documents 30 historical tales
spanning this great land and the centuries
from the 1200s to the 1900s.
Born and raised east of Elbow, near
Davidson, Outlook, and Central Butte,
Schemenauer loves Canada and its his-
tory. She is especially interested in the
story of Finnish-born immigrant Tom Su-
kanen, who farmed near where she grew
up.
Published by Borealis Press of Otta-
wa, YesterCanada presents 30 historical
tales that have intrigued people of the
province for many years. Schemenauer
has brought these tales to life.
Some of the mysteries you’ll find in its
pages are: Where in the icy Arctic is the
lost Vancouver-based ship Baychimo?
What strange power rang the chapel bell
in Tadoussac, Quebec one foggy April
night in 1782? How did painter Tom
Thomson die? Is the ten-armed monster
of Newfoundland real or imaginary?
In addition, you’ll also meet adventurers
like Dr. Elizabeth Scott Matheson of
Onion Lake, Saskatchewan; Ontario’s
daring Lady Agnes Macdonald; devout
Nova Scotia pioneers; gold-seekers of
Alberta; and a Manitoba Cree chief who
gave his life for the woman he loved.
Schemenauer says the City of Moose
Jaw was an exciting place for her that
helped to broaden her horizons. “When
I was growing up near Elbow, Saskatch-
ewan, the city of Moose Jaw was an ex-
citing place for me. I loved visiting the
Wild Animal Park and shopping with my
mother. My experiences in this vibrant
city helped expand my horizons. They
contributed to my identity as a Canadian
who is delighted to share my country’s
rich story-telling traditions. I’m especially
interested in Christian faith, values, and
the adventures they inspire.”
Schemenauer spoke with the Moose Jaw
Express and revealed what inspired her to
document these stories.
WHAT IS THE MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT
THIS BOOK THAT YOU’D LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW?
- YesterCanada’s 30 stories present as-
pects of Canadian history unknown to
many people. The stories appeal to the
senses and emotions. Reviewer Violet
Nesdoly says they put readers “right into
the various Canadian settings these sto-
ries inhabit, from the grassy fragrance
of the Saskatchewan prairie, to the bone
chill of the Arctic, to the salt spray of the
seaboards, east and west.”
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE ABOUT CANA-
DA’S YESTER-YEARS?
- My father, Peter J. Martens of Elbow
(1914-2014), loved telling stories of the
past. He brought them to life, often acting
out the parts of all the characters includ-
ing the animals. His storytelling and his
love of Canada inspired me as a child.
As an adult I spent many years working in
publishing in Toronto. During those years
I had opportunities to write a number of
historical and partly historical books.
My husband, Robert S. Schemenauer,
born and raised in Prince Albert, was my
greatest inspiration. He is a scientist who
loves history, pre-history, mystery, and
historical puzzles. He found some of the
stories in YesterCanada, and helped me
chase down the details I needed to write
them.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED ON THESE
STORIES?
- I worked on some of the stories for
many years. In some cases, information
became available slowly over a long
period of time. For example, artist Tom
Thomson’s death is a 100-year-old mys-
tery that remains unsolved to this day.
People still investigate it and write new
articles and books.
WHAT WAS THE PROCESS LIKE, COMPILING
THESE STORIES?
- Usually I would notice a story or part
of a story somewhere, and become in-
trigued enough to look for more infor-
mation. I combed through history books,
biographies, diaries, old letters, books of
folklore and Aboriginal legends, periodi-
cals, museums, and Internet sites. When
possible I also interviewed people who
were involved in the stories. For exam-
ple, I had the privilege of interviewing
Laurence ‘Moon’ Mullin of Moose Jaw
(1910-2003). Mullin played a key role
in the story “Saskatchewan’s Dryland
Steamboat.” It’s about Finnish immigrant
Tom Sukanen, who built an ocean-going
vessel far from any ocean. His vessel is
now displayed at the Sukanen Ship Pio-
neer Village & Museum south of Moose
Jaw.
When possible I also visited areas
where the stories took place. For exam-
ple, I visited Old Wives Lake, setting of
the story “The Laughing Grandmothers
of Old Wives Lake.” It’s based on an Ab-
original legend.
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW
THESE STORIES, ESPECIALLY IN CONJUNCTION
WITH CANADA’S 150TH?
- Knowing more about our country’s his-
tory boosts our sense of identity as Cana-
dians. It helps us understand what Cana-
da is all about, and who we ourselves are.
It helps us count the blessings we enjoy
today compared with the challenges peo-
ple faced in the past. We can also learn
from our forerunners’ faults, mistakes,
and misfortunes. Perhaps most import-
ant, reading historical tales is fun and
entertaining.
YesterCanada can be picked up at your
nearest bookstore or library or order on-
line from Chapters Indigo http://tinyurl.
com/jkuuje3 , Amazon.ca http://tinyurl.
com/jjq5uy3 , or the publisher, Borealis
Press http://tinyurl.com/hwn3m6x . Also
find out more Schemenauer on her web
-site http://elmams.wix.com/canada
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