ODHS Welcomes a New Curator

The Oliver and District Heritage Society is delighted to introduce our new Curator, Janell Lancaster.

Janell is originally from Ottawa where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Religious Studies and later pursued a Museum Studies Degree. After living and working in various Canadian cities, Janell made the permanent move to BC in 2016.

Janell has held several posts within the BC Heritage sector, including Learning and Programming Coordinator at the Royal BC Museum, Archivist at the Whistler Museum and Archives, Educational Programmer at the Britannia Mine Museum in Squamish; and most recently as Educational Programmes Manager at the Rossland Museum and Discovery Centre.

Janell has a particular professional interest in collections management, interpretation and exhibits and very much looks forward to applying her skills and expertise in helping the residents of Oliver and surrounding communities, and visitors to the area to access the heritage attributes of the Oliver Museum and Archives.

Janell is a keen hiker, skier and cyclist, and has already set about enjoying all that the Oliver region has to offer.

We are thrilled that Janell has joined our team. We know that users of the Museum and Archives will understand why when they have cause to meet her on-site, by phone or at one of the community events at which ODHS is represented.

Stop by the museum or archives to say hello to Janell and welcome her to our community!

National Indigenous Peoples Day 2022 - Heritage Garden Word Hunt

Heritage Garden Word Hunt

In honour and recognition of today’s National Indigenous Peoples Day we have created this Word Hunt based around our beautiful heritage garden.

By using our outdoor signage and Heritage Garden Pamphlets, translate these English

Plant names into nsyilxcen.

1.      Woods Rose ________________________________________________________________

Hint: This flower was used to mask human scent when hunting.

2.      Oregon Grape _______________________________________________________________

Hint: The inner bark of this plant was used to make yellow dye.

3.      Rabbitbrush _________________________________________________________________

Hint: This plant was spread on horses to repel insects.

4.      Mock Orange ________________________________________________________________

Hint: The stems of this plant were used to make combs, tobacco pipes, and cradles.

5.      Saskatoon Berry _____________________________________________________________

Hint: These berries are eaten fresh, dried, or boiled.

6.      Douglas Maple ______________________________________________________________

Hint: The fibrous bark of this tree was woven into mats and rope.

7.      Rosy Pussytoes _________________________________________________

Hint: burning the roots of this plant was said to drive away bad spirits.

8.      Blue Bunch Wheat Grass_________________________________________

Hint: This grass was used as insolation for buildings.

Bonus: Can you translate this nsyilxcen plant into English?

1.      Sxʷínaʔ_______________________________________________________________________

Hint: The Spines were used to pierce ears.

A New Executive Director for ODHS

The Oliver and District Heritage Society is proud to introduce our new Executive Director, Darren Halsted.

Darren is originally from Northern England where he worked as a criminal defense lawyer. Darren and his wife, Ann, spent many years visiting Canada for holidays, often vacationing in the Okanagan to see family while enjoying the sunny beaches in the summer, and skiing in the winter.

Finally, they decided to take the leap and make a permanent move to Tumbler Ridge, BC, in 2019. There Darren worked as General Manager to the trails organization, and Project Manager at the UNESCO GeoPark which allowed him to work very closely with the cultural heritage sector, sparking his interest in museum work.

Darren has been at the ODHS Museum & Archives since May 2022 and fits right in with our museum family. He has many great ideas to improve our museum and we cannot wait to see what he has in store for our society in the future.

Darren is thrilled to have the opportunity to help with the preservation of, and education about the history and people of Oliver and its surrounding districts.

Stop by the museum or archives to say hello to Darren and welcome him to our community!