The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) is pleased to announce Jenn Ashton awarded Honourable Mention for the 2019 Anne and Philip Yandle Best Article Award.
Her article Siamelaht appeared in British Columbia History magazine volume 52 number 4, Winter 2019. The article was selected from the 21 articles published in the magazine last year by a panel of 9 judges from around the province.
In her article, Jenn Ashton sifts through newspaper accounts and archival records to trace her third great-grandmother’s birth name, after whom the article is named. Siamelaht was born in Xwáyxway (in what is now known as Stanley Park) around 1844 and lived until over the age of 100. Ashton’s research journey ended with a surprising twist connected to a 1940s painting of Siamelaht.
Jenn Ashton is an author and visual artist living in North Vancouver, BC. The judging panel found Ashton’s article engaging. One judge remarked “I enjoyed this tale of a researcher’s tenacity and serendipity and the encouraging spirit that it conveys.” http://jenniferashton.ca/WP/
Each year, the BCHF presents the award to the author of an article published in British Columbia History magazine that best enhances knowledge of the history of British Columbia and provides enjoyable reading. Judging is based upon subject development, writing skill, freshness of material, and its appeal to a general readership interested in all aspects of the history of BC.
Sadly, due to the ongoing COVID-19 health situation the BCHF annual conference schedule for June 2020, including the awards gala, has been cancelled. Thus, the prizes are being announced early — look for a forthcoming interview with Jenn Ashton on the BCHF’s YouTube channel.
