Superb reading: Friends of MacDonald blog
“Friends of MacDonald: Celebrating the Life of Japan’s First English Teacher” is an absolutely superb blog in Japanese and English devoted to Ranald MacDonald’s legacy.
It’s beautifully designed and really well written.
A sample of what’s there that makes the blog a singular tool for understanding the story of this Chinook Indian métis:
- Rishiri Island wildflowers (Ranald first landed here before being taken away to teach English)
- A biography of Ranald as explorer and de facto ambassador
- Membership information; particularly for American learners of Japanese and Japanese learners of English
Incidentally, I see that in 1998, members of FOM were treated to a reenactment of Ranald MacDonald’s intentional stranding in Japan courtesy of the crew of the Lady Washington in Grays Harbor, WA. That must’ve been fun! This vessel is a re-creation of quite an important ship in Northwest history that was captained by Columbia River ‘discoverer’ Robert Gray and later by John Kendrick. (See also a present-day explorer of Kendrick’s routes.) The Lady Washington, our official state ship, is still going strong; I saw a help-wanted notice on a bulletin board in a coastal community last week seeking crew members.
Klahowya! Nika Nem Le-Molo Moosmoos, Nika Sitkum Siwash Sitkum Boston (Tsalaki, Klickatat Pe Umatilla Klone LaLang). Mahsie Kopa Okoke Wawa. Nika Tikegh Konaway Mika Mamook Tzum. Nika Wawa Okoke Kahkwa Nika Tikegh Mamook Ikt Tzum Wawa Kopa Chinuk Wawa Pe Nika Tikegh Mika Help. Wawa Nika Ko preskjohn@yahoo.com Kopa Mika Tumtum. Mahsie!
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