Item 2008.3.1.147.10 - Tachie – Tape 1

• Sound recording

1 audiocassette (94 min.)

Item is a audio interview recorded by Bridget Moran with Justa Monk's family members.

Audiocassette Summary

00’ 05” Moran is talking to Justa’s sister, Adelle. She says the old way of life is better than life today. They talk about the lack of gardens in Tachie today.

02’ 45” Adelle talks about the family history, particularly her father. She talks about their way of life when they were children. Adelle continues to talk about her past.

08’ 40” Adelle talks about the residential school and how she was upset she was when she was sent there. She talks about being punished for speaking their native language. She was at the residential school until the age of sixteen.

12’ 13” Moran asks Adelle about what she remembers about fishing. She talks about the process of fishing.

13’ 22” Adelle talks about her individual history. She talks about not getting married at all because she could not marry the man she wanted. She talks about getting tuberculosis and being in the hospital for a year. When she was released from the hospital, she moved in with a man who was abusive towards her. She talks about leaving him and moving to Prince George, eventually.

18’ 56” Adelle talks about how it was beneficial that her parents were strict. She continues to talk about her childhood, particularly Christmas.

24’ 36” Moran and Adelle talk about when Justa killed his brother. Adelle tells Moran that Justa looked after his brother’s children after he was released from prison.

26’ 08” Moran asks Adelle about whether she drank or not. Adelle says when she moved to Prince George she began to drink heavily.

27’ 35” Moran asks Theresa about the time her and Justa got married. Adelle tells Moran that Justa was the baby of the family and how his siblings ‘babied’ him, hence why his mother was so upset when he married Theresa.

31’ 00” Interview changes to Theresa’s mother. Theresa’s mother speaks in her native language most of the time and Theresa translates. They talk about her past, particularly where and when she was born. They talk about how many families lived in Tachie.

40’ 13” Moran asks about whether Theresa’s mother went to Fort St. James often before the road was built. When they went to Fort St. James, by horse, they would buy some groceries.

43’ 04” They continue to talk about Theresa’s mother’s past.

47’ 33” Moran interviews Jimmy, Justa’s brother. She begins by asking him with the road being built. He tells her life was better in the old days because it was cheaper.

50’ 10” Moran asks about the family history. Jimmy lists the siblings from oldest to youngest.

52’ 05” Jimmy tells Moran that he did not go to the residential school because his grandfather would not let him. Jimmy needed to work for the family because he was the oldest. He talks about everything being done by hand.

58’ 00” Moran asks Jimmy about the type of house that his parents lived in when he was born. He talks about his childhood and his way of life. He talks about helping building a house with his father that had no rooms.

1: 02” 53” Moran asks Jimmy when he got married. Jimmy talks about his wife’s family, particularly his father-in-law, who Justa was named after.

1: 04’ 58” Moran asks Jimmy his memories about living in Portage. He tells her he was a bad kid. He also talks about the trips he took to the surrounding areas. He tells her it was a hard life, but there were good things.

1:10’ 35” Moran asks Jimmy about any memories he has of Justa as a kid. Jimmy tells her that even as a kid, Justa was pretty smart. Jimmy would take him to collect hay. Justa was called the baby and was spoiled too much.

1: 13’ 09” Moran asks Jimmy where he was when Justa got in trouble with his brother. Jimmy said he had a feeling something bad was going to happen, so decided to go home. He talks about when he was told about the murder. Moran continues to ask about the situation, but Jimmy tells her he is still not sure what happened between Justa and John.

1:25’ 03” Jimmy talks about making his store bigger at the pressure of Indian Affiars, but it was too much to keep operating, so now there is only a store that sells junk food.

1:28’ 47” Jimmy talks about the loss of two of his children. He continues to discuss his children.

1: 34’ 36” End of tape.