Maria Mahoi of the Islands, by Jean Barman. Book Cover. (Vancouver, BC: Transmontanus, New Star Books, 2004).Another book event coming up December 7th, 2010 - with the Herstory Cafe Book Club at the Rhizome Cafe, 317 Broadway in Vancouver. Note the time - 5 to 6:30 pm.
Food and drink available at the Rhizome (and it's great! I recommend the macaroni and cheese or the perogis, and the ginger beer.)
Read Maria Mahoi of the Islands by Jean Barman ahead of time and discuss it in a friendly atmosphere. Born to a Hawaiian father and a First Nations mother, Maria (pronounced Ma-rye-ah) lived her entire life on the Gulf Island of British Columbia's southwest coast. This book is widely available at local libraries.
Discussion Questions:
1. Jean Barman explains how "hybridity": the intermingling of racial backgrounds - was an integral part of Maria Mahoi's lifestory. How is hybridity important to Maria, her descendents and to the history of BC and of Canada?
2. Several times throughout the book, the author notes that being of hybrid descent was "tougher" for boys/men than girls/women. How did Maria, George Fisher, and the Douglas and Fisher children deal differently with their racial histories?
3. Jean Barman notes that every life has an important history to tell, and that all of us are "agents of change". What does Maria's life story tell us about larger themes in Canadian history? In the history of women? Why is it so important to remember and honour her life?
4. Discuss the survival skills Maria developed throughout her life. How did she and her family survive despite living so close to the economic and social margins?
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