Mary Christmas is a photographer, beachcomber, artist, and retiree.  In 1968, seeking a hiatus from city life, she visited Long Beach for the first time and fell in love with the rugged coast.  She lived aboard a commercial fishing boat before residing in Spring Cove, at the southern tip of Ucluelet. Eventually, she settled in the Millstream neighbourhood, forming many lifelong friendships along the way.

 

A self-taught photographer, Mary captures stunning wildlife and coastal scenes, with her artwork showcased in local galleries and shops. Her "Country Focus" photo cards have been an inspiration for a self published book "Fishers and Foreshores: Canada's West Coast." When she’s not snapping photos, she tirelessly strolls the beaches, collecting treasures and tidying up the shoreline.

Learn more about the topics discussed in this episode:

 

Where to find Mary’s photography: https://www.reflectingspirit.ca/artists/Mary-Christmas/artwork

 

Spring Cove Interpretive Trail:  https://www.wildpacifictrail.com/spring-cove-mudflat-trail.html

 

Remembering the Japanese-Canadians of Ucluelet:

https://www.westerlynews.ca/opinion/reflecting-on-the-32nd-anniversary-of-canadas-apology-to-japanese-canadians-1333303

 

Internment of Japanese-Canadians:

https://bcanuntoldhistory.knowledge.ca/1940/japanese-internment

 

Norma Bailey’s floating store in Hot Springs Cove:

https://www.lloydkahn.com/2016/02/normas-floating-store-in-britis/

 

Ucluelet organizations:

Ucluelet & Area Historical Society https://ucluelethistory.ca/

Ucluelet Food Bank https://www.foodbankontheedge.ca/

 

Credits:

Brought to you by two friends with a passion for local history and storytelling - Carly Steven and Kemal Denman are both born, raised, and residing in Ucluelet and Tofino.

 

• Host/Producer: Carly Steven

• Writer/Co-Producer: Kemal Denman

• Sound Designer: Kemal Denman

• Audio Engineer: Paul Chirka

 

Recorded and produced on the west coast of Vancouver Island on the sacred lands of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ, tuk̓ ̓ʷaaʔatḥ, ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ, ḥiškʷiiʔatḥ, and ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ, in Nuučaan̓uł territory.

 

Disclaimer:

The stories shared here are the expressed views, thoughts, and opinions of the featured guests only and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the producers. All rights reserved @SSSH Productions, 2024.