So I’ve been on holiday as you may have guessed from my radio silence. I was in Austria visiting my husband’s family. It was very eventful but I will start with the wedding. I’m busy sorting – stay tuned, more to come. Here are a few detail shots from the event:

Normally Wednesday is wordless – but on November 11th I think it’s important to thank all our veterans for their service to our country. Many of my family members living and those who have passed have served in the armed forces in both Canada and the US.

At my grandfather’s funeral the US Navy was there to respect and honor his service. It was really the most moving experience because I love my Poppa so deeply, he was a quiet and gentle soul. I don’t know what he saw during the war because he never really spoke about it but he is a hero and having the Navy come and play the bugle and fold the American flag and present it to my Nanny was really amazing.

I feel like my Poppa had a full life and lived to see his children grow up and see and know many of his grandchildren. When I think about remembrance day I also think about the contrast – all those men and women who died for freedom, fighting for something they believed in and what they sacrificed for their countries.

Thank you Poppa, Uncle B, Mummy’s Mummy and all the veterans and all the service people everywhere!

I hope you enjoy this video by Terry Kelly that I saw at my church’s remembrance day service.

It’s with a sad heart that I write today about Norton. My sister made a documentary film about him and his family in “Tuscarora Corn: Ears of Our Forefathers” but he is also one of my dad’s cousins (maternal) and I think used to go moose hunting with my Poppa. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to say about his passing since I believe that Norton was a leader to our community in the area of farming, but also in family.

What I know about Norton and his family is that they are wonderful warm people who believe in family, tradition and preserving culture. As a traditional corn farmer he worked really hard at not only preserving the crops but also the recipes and family involvement that goes hand-in-hand with the growing. When I watched my sister’s film for the first time I was deeply touched but Norton’s message and also by the affection that he and his wife showed their family, especially their grandchildren.

My husband and I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of corn husking in their barn last fall – I haven’t seen their family since I was a small girl but we were welcomed warmly. Every was fed and watered and enjoyed the comradery of talking and sharing stories around a giant pile of corn.

It’s such a loss to our community that someone who continued to practice so many of our traditions has passed away but hopefully all the teachings he shared with us will live on in our hearts and minds and we will continue to hold dear the teachings from our ancestors, that Norton believed so strongly in.

My thoughts and prayers goes out to his family and friends and may he rest in peace.
All my relations,
Emily

Growing up I was surrounded by cameras and photographers. I joke sometimes that there is a picture for everyday of my life growing up – but really every important event in my life is recorded by photographs. My mum, more recently, has been making us special books of photos she has taken from the time we were born until now – birthdays, vacations, Christmas etc…they hold precious memories of our family, family members past and present and love.

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This past weekend I went to Tuscarora Indian Reservation for a corn husking bee. It has been a very long time since I last attended one (I think I was under the age of 6) and I didn’t know very many people. Mike, my cousin and I drove over to the bee and got to work. Everyone was very welcoming, especially the owners of the farm. They are friend’s of my family who live there and my dad. We were invited to have moose stew, corn soup, fry bread and other tasty treats. Read the rest of this entry »

This weekend I will be going to get the chance for some photography fun with my family and attend a corn husking bee – something I don’t think I’ve attended since I was a small child. I can’t wait to be able to photograph this fun and culturally significant event and take part in it with my family. Read the rest of this entry »