Kamloops Wawa pictures, part 16: A group of missionaries in BC
Indigenous readers of “Kamloops Wawa”, circa 1890’s, absolutely loved the rare treat of seeing pictures and photos.
This we’re told over and over.
At least one of the men in today’s photo of “A Group of Missionaries in B.C.” would’ve been a welcome sight.
In the front row, at the right end, you’ll see Father JMR Le Jeune. The founder and editor of the “Kamloops Wawa” newspaper was known to be popular among local Native people.
He’s the person who suggested Chinuk Pipa “Chinook Writing” in southern British Columbia communities, where it became the popular first literacy.
Most or all of the people in this photo spoke Chinook Jargon a lot, and some of them were excellent at it. The language was that important in 1890’s BC.
— from “Kamloops Wawa” #129 (June 1895), page [89]
