ms. epitome

ms. epitome

Rose Charlie - Lilah WarrenCherilynn Toll - Maureen Pelton

EriKa Verigin - Kieylla Thornton-trump - Pam Goessaert

BC MagazineEdition two

A Welcoming Home

Photo Credit: Cara Grimshaw2

Copyright © ms. epitome BC Magazine 2015All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced,distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means withoutpermission from the editor.

[email protected]

Publication designed and published by Marla Louell Design Team

Cover Photography: Sam ChuaModel: Dr. Rose Charlie

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Welcome to the second edi-tion of MS. EPITOME . I have truly enjoyed working with

each one of the contributors. With every interview and every photo shoot, each woman has shared a piece of her heart, a dream or her experiences.

Who is MS. EPITOME....she is you....bubbling over with enthusiasm, strength, resilience, creativity - and yet ever so tender.

As you flip through the pages I hope you are motivated in some way, encour-aged and brought to - a wonder. Meet the Honorary Dr. Rose Charlie and travel down her life’s journey; one of servant-hood and commitment to her First Na-tions community. Cherilynn Toll a vintage dish collec-tor, has been kind enough to display her Cornish Kitchen Ware - walk into a collector’s splendor, dishes that would bring beauty to any dinner setting, with its blue and white seashore trademark stripes. Begin a collection of your own. Vintage dishes, handmade lace, older books - something that brings you pleasure.Cherilynn Toll, furthermore is a social worker and counselor, working in an area that is dear to her heart; helping women with faith-based resources and support in an event of an unplanned pregnan-cy.

In while supporting her husband launch and work at his dream vocation, Lilah Warren also found fulfillment in what was to become her dream job. With an aptitude for Business Administration she has worked along side her husband for 56 years.

Kieylla Thornton-trump and her family believe that theatre is a great foundation for many life skills. Theatre performanc-es are where stories are told through act-ing, singing and dance. Kieylla shares her

musical composition called You.

Erika Verigin a university student who is working on completing a double major in psychology and literature shared some poetry with us. She plans to be a writer and is going to be attending University of Edinburgh to study literature.

Living here in British Columbia, it is noteworthy that many of our plants do not grow as easily elsewhere in Cana-da. Pam Goessaert allows us to view her West Coast Garden. An inviting paradise for personal enjoyment and also a visual palette for any artist.

Maureen Pelton, a B.C. grower and co- owner of Fable Farms has volunteered many hours to her community, with not only providing flowers, but also arrang-ing them, be it for basketball banquets or other events. She gives us a few basic ideas to help take the intimidation out of floral design and encourages us to play with our flowers.

Nikki and her daughter Dharia, model hair garlands that are popular with ever so-soft hair waves. Make the garlands with wisteria stems and status flowers and wear them to a special event.

The power of encouragement does not have a limited supply. Those that have charted through areas may have some-thing to offer those that are just begin-ning their journey. Women of all ages can be there for each other. We are all MS. EPITOME in some way because we all have an interest that we can pursue and we all have something we can share with others. Marla Chernoff

Dear Friends;

Table of Contents

Floral Design

Art of Hair Design

Literature/Poetry

Gardening/Art

Leadership

Community

Cornish Kitchen Ware

Vintage Car Restoration

Music/Acting

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Page 68

Page 56

Page 76

Page 44

Page 6

Page 14

Page 26

Page 38

Page 62

Baskets made from the roots of the cedar tree, red cherry bark and cherry bark dyed with rusty nails.

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Honorary Dr. Rose Charlie

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As I sat down to interview the famous Dr. Rose Charlie, the eyes that met mine were full of strength, wisdom and grace. I was first intro-duced to Rose through her son Brian Charlie. One day having lunch together, I told him about a magazine I was working on and my aspirations to feature interesting women, that make up our province of British Columbia. His response was, “ I would love for you to meet my mom.” This would prove to be life chang-ing for myself. I was about to meet a woman that altered the course of history. A woman that cared enough for the people around her, that she would not turn away from their needs and concerns. A visionary and untiring advo-cate for reform on behalf of the First Nation People.

Prior to our upcoming lunch date I read through Rose Charlie’s accomplishments in various sources; Mainstays, Women Who Shaped BC written by Cathy Converse, and a website called Indigenous Foundations by UBC. I could not help but feel I was about to meet one of the greats of mankind. The list of her 50 years of community service was far-reaching.

• Founding member and president of Indian Homemaker’s Association

• Founding member of the National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations)

• Instrumental in restoring Indian Status for 16,000 women and 46,000 first generation children

• Organized and helped the funding of the first collective meeting of all BC Indian Chiefs to take place in history

• Pioneered on a national level to start two Native Women’s groups in Canada which were called National Association of Indian Rights for Indian Women ( 1977) and the Native Women’s Association of Canada

• Served as board member on the Vancou-ver Police Commission and the BC Human

Rights Commission and various other com-mittees

• At 64 became the Grand Chief of BC 1

As I drove through the Fraser Valley to meet with Rose, I could not help but be impressed with the beauty of the seemingly untouched nature that surrounded me. The Chehalis Band where Rose lived was home to the Sto’:lo Nation. Past generations for thousands of years, had at one time thrived and self sustained themselves here; on vegetable gardens, berry patches, fruit trees, gathering, fishing and hunting. I found her home and knocked on the door to be welcomed inside. She was about to trust me; to tell me about her life, her family and share her heart.

1 http://indegenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca Converse, Cathy. Mainstays: Women who shaped B.C. Victoria: Horsaland Schubart,1998.170.

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It all began in the 1930’s, every night her par-ents would take her and her siblings to Grand-pa Felix Jo’s home. Here he would gather all his grandchildren on the floor and would teach them the customs, traditions, culture and spiri-tual way of life of the Salish people. Grandma would tell them to say “ Ee Aa” throughout the evening. Rose indicated, we as children did not know that this was to see who kept awake every night till grandpa’s last words. A test that was used to check for attentiveness and focus. Whomever of the children listened to the teachings, night after night, beginning to end, would be entrusted as the next family leader. At nine years old Elizabeth Rose Charlie was proclaimed the next matriarch of their fam-ily. It now became the responsibility of the entire family to instruct her into her position for adulthood. One day doing chores Rose finished early and asked her mom if she could go to school, she loved attending school . Her mom responded with asking her to do one more thing, because she had finished early. A slight sigh escaped her lips to bring her moth-er to make a statement that would prove to have a great impact on her future. Her mom took Rose’s hands and said..

”God has given you these good hands to do what you need to do for yourself - After you have provided for your-self, lift these hands in the air and they will be filled with the needs of others - then go and use them, to help others.”

In 1941 work was scarce for her dad which forced the family to move to the States to look for paid employment. They moved to Seattle and here Rose attended school, picked ber-ries on Bainbridge Island and also became an Assistant Manager of a drugstore. Eventually they were able to move back to Canada and once again, took up residence at Chehalis. Rose soon met her future husband and was married at 19 years old. Here again her wise mother gave her some advice. “Your moth-er-in-law is an extraordinary woman. She has raised 17 children. It takes a very special women to bring up so many children. I want you to respect her.” And Rose said, “I did.” A beautiful example of women in respect of other women.

A pivotal moment would begin Rose Charlie’s life of service. Rose made an observation that the linens and rug of the Residential Catho-lic Church were somewhat tattered. She said to herself , “ I’d like to call the ladies to the house and have a meeting about the church, to raise money for the linens and running rug”. She gave a note to all the women to come to her home on Wednesday. Rose made an angel food cake and put a fresh rose in the center from her mom’s garden. All the women came.“Why did you call a meeting,” was their question. She explained that the linens at the church needed care and they needed a new rug.

Well this group of women never did change the linens but actually built an entire new building resourcing the materials and labour.

A collective force that was to only build mo-mentum overtime. A tea party that created a movement and became an association that would advocate on behalf of the needs of First Nations women across the land.

One of the biggest struggles for women across the province that affected their fam-ilies was the lack of running water on their

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reserves. There were often no water systems in place and if there were, they were often insuffi-cient. Water contamination also plagued some of the reserves.Rose encouraged women to have a voice. During meetings with the Department of Indian Affairs, women would tell her, “I am afraid to speak to the white people.” She would encour-age the women to go before the microphone and tell their stories in their own words. A maga-zine “Indian Voice” was published to help bring about the sharing of concerns across the prov-ince. Rose was often a mediator between the Department of Indian Affairs and her people to help bring about better living conditions.

“The Woman is The Home.” “She knows what her family needs.” Rose CharlieRose Charlie recognized the benefits of collec-tive effort and discussion. In 1969, through the Indian Homemaker’s As-sociation, Rose Charlie played an integral part in bringing the First Nations Chiefs of British Columbia together for dialogue.This was to be history in the making. For the first time ever, 144 BC Chiefs were to sit togeth-er in a meeting. There were important topics on the table and one being the White Paper that was proposed by the Federal Government of the time.

Rose again took her mom’s words to heart, “ Don’t start anything you can’t finish. If you start something, com-plete it . Don’t leave it half done.”For this meeting to take place there had to be a substantial amount of funds raised. Rose went to task to organize two 200 mile moccasin

walks. As a result of this meeting the Union of BC Indian Chiefs was formed, with Rose a founding member. During the meeting a man stood up and con-gratulated them on their newly formed associa-tion, but he expressed a few words that would not leave Rose’s thoughts. “We as non-status Aboriginals regretfully do not have an association such as this.”

Rose looked for him in the crowd and found him. She said, “Find me at least 5 non-status Aboriginals and we will have a meeting. We will elect an executive right now.” Together they discussed what it would take to start a BC Asso-ciation of Non-Status Indians and together set it in place.

The area the Rose worked the hardest at was regaining Indian status to Non-Indians Status women and children. She spent time in Ottawa and even traveled to UN Conferences in Gene-va, Switzerland to petition on their behalf.

As President of the Indian Homemaker’s Associ-ation for 28 years, she helped many woman with her influence. She gave hope to women when they faced violence, addictions or were strug-gling to care for their children. She built bridges of communication and was keen to overrule injustice.

It takes people to make those changes and she is one that did.

Thank you, Rose Elizabeth Charlie, for being such an example, and may we be brave like you, as your mom taught many years ago - to pro-vide for ourselves, then lift our hands to the air and become aware of the needs of others and even in a small way lend a helping hand.

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1989 Received Honorary Doctor of Law from UBC

1994 Awarded Governor General’s Award of Canada

2003 Recipient of the Order of British Columbia

2004 Doreen Wright Award from Fraser Basin Council

National Year of Child Award from BC Government

Certificate of Merit from Government of Canada

Voted to be among the 100 most influential women in Canada.

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Cherilynn Toll Cornish Kitchen Ware Collector

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My maiden name is Cornish, and my great-grandparents immi-grated to Canada from Cornwall, England. I accompanied my parents to England in 1977, and this is where I first discovered the Cornish Kitchen Ware pottery. I loved the blue and white pottery and legend has it that is was named after the ‘blue of the Cornish sky and the white crests of the waves’. I started collect-ing the pottery in 1977, and once e-bay started up, I was able to really grow my collection.

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Cornish

Kitchen Ware

Backstamps

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Vintage Car RestorationDon & Lilah Warren

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Photo Credit: Nathan Chernoff27

Bringing Back the Beauty of the PastDon Warren asked a successful businessman, “What is the secret of your success?” The business man anwered with a question, “Don what would you do with your life if money was not a concern? “ “ I will give you a month to think about it.”

When the gentleman returned a month later, Don had an answer for him. He would pursue archery seriously and would restore vintage cars. “Well what are you waiting for?”

The successful businessman told Don he was asked that same question years ago.

Don took his advice and put an ad in the paper ---advertising his services to restore older vehicles. He received 100 responses on that one ad.

Lilah had always loved anything to do with Busi-ness Administration. She had previous experience working in banking and insurance. When Don first felt that he wanted to start his own business, Lilah was apprehensive, because he had a great job with a steady income. But after a time of prayer and reflection she felt a confirmation that this was right for them. Don also would not move ahead until he had his wife’s total support.

Starting the business in 1969, they worked side by side, each with their separate roles. Don in the shop where he at times had up to 22 cars at once and Lilah in the office. She was the liason with the customers, always getting answers and solving problems with grace.

When asked how it is to work as a husband/wife team, Their response is.......“We are better together than we are apart.”

Photo Credit: Nathan Chernoff

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Vintage cars hold certain memories. It may be a picture you treasure in your album that shows your grandfather in his prized car. He looks full of youth and vitality ready to conquer and explore the world. Somehow you are connecting to that picture. You see yourself in him, maybe its his height or a determination of some sort. Regardless you search the continent for a car similar and you find one in the States. You do a bit of exploring and you find it had multiple owners. You bring it to Rumbleseat Restorations only to do a serial# check and find out that the car you bought is actually the one in the picture. It is the car that once belonged to your family; was sold multiple times and had somehow managed to make it home. Amazing! These are the kind of stories that have been the heartbeat of Rumbleseat Restorations.


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“We are better together than we are apart.” “In supporting my husband with his dream, I also found what I loved to do and found my dream job, which was working in Business Administration.”

Lilah Warren

Photo Credit: Sam Chua

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Black 1941 Cadillac Limousine

Red 1947 Buick Convertible

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1951 Chrysler New Yorker ConvertibleRoyal Tour Car

1929 Packard Phanton Convertible SedanPhoto Credit: Nathan Chernoff

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Erika Verigin Literature / Poetry

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Erika Verigin Literature / Poetry

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For as long as I can remember writing has always been a way for me to express myself, deal with life, reflect, remember and better un-derstand the inner work-ings of my subconscious. Writing has helped me heal in more ways than one. The majority of my writing is personal - only for my own eyes. But things are changing. The more I write the more comfortable I become with my ability to write. I have found my voice. After becoming a child psychologist, my goal is to continue writing. I will write books. I hope to write both children’s and adult fiction. I am keep-ing my options open.

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A Doctor’s Signature

The human canvas bears the sign;a doctor’s signature,a few crooked lines.

Like raindrops, the scars were spread.They took months to heal,

with weeks in bed.

It’s a game, a balancing act.When one thing is mended

another is cracked.

Clinging to my lost control,my body is weak,it’s taken its toll.

Now my skin is a dented shield.I hide all my flaws, refusing to yield.

The human canvas bears the sign;a doctor’s signature;a few crooked lines.

By Erika Verigin

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On the Edge

Here I amOn the edgeTrying not to fall.

With squinted eyesAgainst the sun,At times I feel so small.

The climb isn’t easy.My feet stumble on the way.From up here, the air is clear.What more can I say?

Happiness is fleetingThose days are often long.And nothing is worse than living-A life without a song.

With expectations heavy,My future is unclear.But a smile curves on my lips,When I have you near.

So here we areOn the edgeTrying not to fall,

With squinted eyesAgainst the sun,But this time I feel tall.

By Erika Verigin

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Gardener/ Artist/ Musician

Pam Goessaert

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West Coast Gardening

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Bleeding Hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)

Magnolia

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“I love the moisture that we normally get here at the BC West Coast, I can not see myself living anyway else.” Pam Goessaert

Bell Flowers

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Flowers have always been and inspiration for painters.

Camillia

Japanese Iris

Narcissus

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Mopheads and Lace

Astilbe

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Morning rays of sunshine naturally painting the foliage into various colors of green.

Hydrangea

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Accenting the garden with one’s favourite finds.

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“At one time I actually cooked with this stove, now I enjoy it featured in my sunroom.” Pam Goessaert

Poppy

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Clematis

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What better inspiration for an artist than a garden.

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Acting/ Music/ Theatre

Kieylla Thornton-trump

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The most precious thing on this earth is you,The rubies are jealous and the diamonds are too,You are better than any gems combined,Better than any gem that’s mine.

Because you are the wish,You are the gemYou are the lightYou are the stem

Being yourself is a mustThe rule of life which is in all of us

If you had one wishWhat would it beWould you unlock a special worldWith a special keyWould you travel down deep, or up in the skyWould you have valuable gems to supplyBeing yourself is the closest you’ll ever get Being yourself is heaven sent

The most precious thing on this earth is youThe rubies are jealous and the diamonds are tooYou are better than any gems combinedBetter than any gem that’s mine

Because you are the wishYou are the gemYou are the lightYou are the stem

Being yourseld is a must The rule of life which is in all of us

You may never get a million bucksYou many never fly with the ducksYou have a beautiful personalityIt’s better than a wish you would ever get

You can always pretend a twist event, that’s life or death

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Being Yourself is A Must

Kieylla Thornton-trump is an aspiring actress, musician, songwriter and has a 2nd degree recommended black belt in Taekwondo. She has been on stage in various theatre productions around Vancouver; GrandPa N Me, Singing Butler and Stealing Christmas. She has been on film, television and as of this year on a commercial.

Writing songs come naturally to her. She first writes a poem then adds the chords and comes up with the tune. To encourage others, she wrote a song at nine years old called You; it’s about having confidence and believ-ing in yourself.

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The most precious thing on this earth is youThe rubies are jealous and the diamonds are tooYou are better than any gems combinedBetter than any gem that’s mineBecause you are the wish. You are the gem.You are the lightAnd you are the stemBeing yourself is a mustThe rule of life which is in all of us

If you had one wish what would it beWould you unlock a special worldWith a special keyWould you travel down deep, or up in skyWould you have valuable gems to supplyBeing yourself is the closest you will ever getBeing yourself is heaven sent

The most precious thing on this earth is youThe rubies are jealous and the diamonds are tooYou are better than any gems combinedBetter than any gem that’s mineBecause you are the wishYou are the gemYou are the lightAnd you are the stemBeing yourself is a mustThe rule of life which is in all of us

You may never get a million bucksYou may never fly with the ducksYou have a beautiful personalityIt’s better than any wish you could ever getYou could always pretend a twist eventThat’s life or deathWater to air

The most precious thing on this earth is youThe rubies are jealous and the diamonds are tooYou are better than any gems combinedBetter than any gem that’s mineBecause you are the wishYou are the gem You are the light And you are the stemBeing yourself is a mustThe rule of life which is in all of us.

You

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Site Credit: Agassiz Tulip Festival - Seabird Island

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Cherilynn TollDirector of WomanCareSocial WorkerCounselor

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I was born in Victoria, and moved to Vancouver at three years of age. When I was ten, my dad was ordained as a United Church minister. His first posting was to Cape Mudge, a First Nations Vil-lage on Quadra Island. My dad pastored a church there for five years, and my mother taught in the elementa-ry school. My sister and I loved living in the village, and my family was blessed to be given First Nations names in the Kwak’wala language. My name is Klee sa ekl, which means Sunshine.We moved to Comox when I was fif-teen, and I graduated from GP Vanier which is located in Courtenay. I consid-er the Comox Valley to be my home- town.I majored my first year at SFU in archeology. In 1978, I went to Israel for six weeks and participated in a dig at Tel Aphek, which is located approxi-mately ten miles east of Tel Aviv. Upon my return, I realized that I much pre-ferred working with living people (!) and decided to go into Social Work. I graduated from UBC in 1979 with my BSW degree and a couple of years later, enrolled in the Post-Degree Pro-fessional Program at UVIC and received my 5th year Teaching Certificate.Fort Nelson was home for the next two years. I taught in the high school there and was also a part-time counselor.

Klee sa ekl


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Being able to combine my love for social work with teaching was a real blessing.When I moved to Fort Nelson, my friends teased me by saying that I would never meet a man up there. I got the last laugh, as I met my hus-band, Greg, in September of my sec-ond year there. We were engaged 5 1⁄2 weeks after meeting, and married nine months later. Thirtyone years and two children later and we’re still going strong!Married life took me to Whitehorse, Winnipeg, and Scottsdale before set-tling down in Maple Ridge. While in Winnipeg, I worked for the Salvation Army as a Social Worker at Linden-view Residence, a maternity home for teens.I first learned about WomanCare from a newsletter that was in a church bul-letin at Haney Presbyterian Church. I contacted them to see if I could vol-unteer as a peer counselor and end-ed up being hired as the first paid, part-time centre director. And here I

still am, almost twenty-two years later! WomanCare Pregnancy Centre is a Christian, community-based ministry in Maple Ridge providing pregnancy tests, crisis pregnancy peer counseling, baby and maternity clothing, post-abortion grief peer counseling and community referrals.

Photo Credit: Janessa Pires Photography

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Many times I have been asked, just how do you help those in crisis pregnancy? My answer is, by providing a sanctuary in their crisis; by listening to their thoughts and feelings with empathy; by exploring values and beliefs around their concern; by inviting a look at options and allowing them time to investigate and weigh information; by refraining from judgement and platitudes; by walking through the decision-making process with them; by offering counsel to others involved in their decision; and (with their permission) by praying for them.


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Maureen PeltonFloral Design

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Photo Credit: Sam Chua69

Floral Centerpieces Welcome You Home

A beautiful table centerpiece not only welcomes you home, will also welcome your guests.

Maureen Pelton, a floral design hobbyist displays three designs that look quite different from each other, yet follow a few basic ideas. First and foremost, she emphasizes that you don’t need a lot of flowers to make a pretty design.Buying in groups of one, three’s or five’s is a sure bet on achieving a nice balance. Secondly, picking a vase that will be one third or two thirds of the height of your arrangement. Thirdly, she works with the simple concept of placing the flowers in visual triangles.

With the above design, she picks a very low vase, then she arranges a beautiful spray of greenery that builds some height. The flowers of choice; antheriums and mums are placed in visual triangles throughout the design. They are well spaced to create an open and airy feel. The flowers sit at 2/3 above the vase and are spread horizontally to balance the length of the table. A design that has great eye appeal and can bring harmony to any room.

Photo credit: Cara Grimshaw

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Hair by Stephanie Geary

Photo credit: Cara Grimshaw71

Photo credit: Cara Grimshaw72

The monochromatic design on the left is simple to arrange, yet striking, with its choice of all white flow-ers. Complimenting the table setting, the eye flows through the design, not stopping at any particular flower. The variety of textures and shapes add interest and appeal. Again all the flowers are placed in visual triangles throughout. The added pussy willows make the flowers reach a 2/3 to 1/3 balance with the vase. A powerful statement on any table.

Truly a vintage feel to the design below. Flowers that can often be found in an aunt’s or grandmother’s garden. With one white hydrangea in the middle and five peonies placed in shallow visual triangles around the vase, the design is balanced with some nice contrasting greenery. The chunky vase and the tightly placed flowers send and invitation to stay awhile and share some time with your loved ones.

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1/3 Vase2/3 Flowers

1/3 Vase2/3 Flowers

1/3 Flowers2/3 Vase



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Photo Credit: Cara Grimshaw

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Art of Hair Design

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Hair Garlands made with bendable Wisteria Branches

and the Status Flower

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Acknowledgements:

Photography Credits:

Honorary Dr. Rose Charlie Photo Credit: Sam Chua

Cornish Dish Ware CollectorPhoto Credit: Marla Chernoff

Bring Back the Beauty of the PastPhoto Credit: Nathan Chernoff Sam Chua

One Step At a TimePhoto Credit: Steve Verigin

West Coast GardeningPhoto Credit: Marla Chernoff

Being Yourself is a MustPhoto Credit: Marla Chernoff

Klee sa eklPhoto Credit: Sam Chua Janessa Pires Photography

Floral Centerpieces Welcome You HomePhoto Credit: Sam Chua Cara Grimshaw Marla Chernoff

The Art of Hair DesignPhoto Credit: Marla Chernoff

Editor and Graphic Design: Marla Chernoff

Proofreading edit: Sophia Antoniuk

Contacts:www.janessapires.comwww.caragrimshaw.comwww.womancarepc.cahttps://www.facebook.com/goesartworks

Thank you to all the women who volunteered their time to share their stories.

References:Honorary Dr. Rose CharliePersonal Interview 2015Other Sources on Dr. Rose Charlie,Mainstays: Women Who Shaped BC by Cathy Converse www.cathyconverse.comwww.indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca

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Thanks for visiting.

See you next time!

Marla Chernoff

Photo credit: Sam Chua

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