Comox Valley Nature is proud to host Joan Harper, author of the definitive biography of Frank Calder, He Moved a Mountain: The Life of Frank Calder and the Nisga’a Land Claim Accord, recently published by Ronsdale Press. The lecture will be at the Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton Avenue, Courtenay, on Sunday November 17 at 7 pm.
Dr. Frank Calder was more than just an MLA and Nisga’a Chief of Chiefs. He was a great Canadian pioneer whose life work has shaped the way Canada makes environmental policy. He dedicated his life to re-dress the injustice done to the Nisga’a Nation by government claims to the extinguishment of rights. In doing so he laid the foundation for section 35 of The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom which recognizes the special aboriginal right to the land, and therefore mandates consultation for environmental impact assessments. As the father of the legal work that made this seminal treaty possible, which now shapes all land claims negotiation, he also is the father of a substantial part of Canada’s environmental laws.
Joan Harper’s career began in library education at the Vancouver School Board and the University of BC. A long-time admirer of the work of Frank Calder, Joan met Frank’s wife shortly after Frank’s death and gained access to much private material, augmenting it with extensive research through interviews and in the archives. Currently, Joan resides in Sechelt, BC, with her husband.
Joan Harper will be available for book sales and signing at both the CVN lecture and Saturday, November 16th, at 11:00 in the morning.
The meeting and illustrated lecture will take place on Sunday November 17 at 7 pm, at the Florence Filberg Centre (411 Anderton Avenue) Admission: free to members, $3 to non-menbers.
