About Janet Mary Nicol
I am a freelance writer with a special interest in BC history, social justice and art. I have written more than 380 articles for 54 magazines and journals and am the author of On the Curve: The Life and Art of Sybil Andrews (Caitlin Press, 2019).
Volunteer work has included the BC Labour Heritage Centre, summer workshops with teachers in Mongolia, Peru and Tanzania and serving on boards of “Room,” a literary journal, BC Historical Federation and the Vancouver municipal Youth Justice Committee. I taught high school history for 29 years in Vancouver, 20 of those years at Killarney Secondary.
I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a Masters degree in Educational Studies from the University of British Columbia and am the recipient of the Anne and Phillip Yandle Best Article Award given by the BC Historical Federation (2013) and Award of Teaching Excellence given by the BC Teacher Institute for Parliamentary Democracy (2015).
I gratefully acknowledge writing and teaching on the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish & Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
Photos by Bonnie Nicol, 2018 and Lithograph (below) by Janet Nicol, 2018.
February 15, 2011 at 10:19 pm |
Janet this is wonderful…i just found and didn’t know you had a blog…going to have some reading to now…thanks
February 27, 2011 at 12:04 am |
Have been following your articles in BC History with great interest. Very pleased to recently discover your wonderful blog.
June 10, 2011 at 2:16 pm |
Hi Janet,
I read your article in NI about missing and murdered aboriginal women and the upcoming walk4justice. Could you tell me where the 4000 figure (of murdered and missing aboriginal women) comes from? You have it in a quote from Bernie Williams, but walk4justice doesn’t include it on their site (the usual estimate is 600). Thanks, Jane.
February 9, 2012 at 9:28 pm |
Can I include you on my email lost to receive invitations and info about my shows?
ww.karenyurkovich.com
October 10, 2014 at 8:58 pm |
My name is Connie Tallio and I was assistant Editor at one time for the Native Voice around late sixties to mid 70’s. I along with Christine Oliver. And also worked for the Native Brotherhood for a number of years. I am trying to find some stories on our Native Veterans for our upcoming Assembly for our School here in Bella Bella. In particular the Veterans, Stanley Larsen, Christopher Hall, Henry MacKay, Billy Gladstone and others from Bella Bella. If you can guide me to the appropriate site or whatever I would certainly appreciate this.
May 16, 2017 at 5:19 pm |
Hi Janet
Re “Like a bolt from the blue”
I found very interesting the part in this article where the remaining 12 Russian men ordered deported for alleged anarchist activities, were eventually paroled and actually never expelled from the country. I followed the immigration board hearings of the Russians in the The Daily Province up to their sentencing. However after their sentencing the newspaper seems to have lost interest in the men’s circumstances especially as to interment in Vernon,the imprisonment in the penitentiary and the later parole in December 1920. I have been regularly updating a modest history of the RCMP in B.C. from 1919 to 1950 and .would appreciate finding out what your sources for the internment to parole were
July 30, 2018 at 2:35 pm |
Love the chaise lounge!Taken in Scotland?
July 30, 2018 at 4:29 pm |
Northern England–“border country.’! At a photo exhibit inside a youth hostel at Berwick-upon – Tweed.
July 30, 2018 at 5:41 pm
Wow fancy!
February 21, 2019 at 4:06 am |
Hi Janet
My name is Sherida Charles and I met you last Thursday at the Dundarave Print workshop.
I learned from you about Sybil Andrews and was quite intrigued. Today I visited the Campbell River museum where I was able to purchase a poster of her work, so I thank you for letting me know of her. In future when I am back teaching I will certainly tell my class about this very talented and perceptive woman artist. I am also looking out for your upcoming book!
February 21, 2019 at 5:39 am |
Thanks for your post Sherida. Great to hear of your travels and interest in Sybil. Best wishes to you, Janet
May 20, 2019 at 2:48 pm |
By chance I have just discovered and read your Master’s thesis for the Faculty of Education at UBC written in 1996. I must congratulate you for a most informative and stimulating piece which revived many powerful and meaningful memories as I assimilated the contents. I attended VTS 1949-1952 and later went on to university eventually becoming a Professor at UWO and an ordained Anglican Priest. My time at VTS was powerful, I suspect, in developing a reaction-formation which led me in somewhat different directions than those depicted in the final chapter of your excellent work. Reading your thesis was a powerful and enriching personal experience for which I heartily thank you. I trust that life is being good to you and that some really good thing will come your way.
Pax,
Don Irvine, London, Ontario.
May 20, 2019 at 4:01 pm |
Thank you kindly Mr. Irvine for sharing your thoughts on the thesis and your life journey since high school. I taught ESL and history in Vancouver for 29 years (writing the thesis in the early years of teaching), most of my time at Killarney Secondary. Hearing alumni stories for the thesis work was an enriching experience. With kind regards to you, Janet Nicol
March 5, 2021 at 4:56 pm |
I didn’t know about your blog, Janet. What an interesting read. Your bio is impressive, too!