Described as "one of the most significant texts on local history," a book featuring decades of conversations with a famed Squamish elder will be printed again.
"Conversations with Khahtsahlano 1932-1954" was first published in 1955, telling the stories of the people who lived in the area before a city was built. Chief August Jack Khahtsahlano was an important and influential figure in the Squamish nation at the turn of the century; he was a medicine man and worked with settlers moving into the area.
Born in 1877 in a village called X̱wáýx̱way which stood in what is now Stanley Park (his family was forced to move when a road was built through the village), Khahtsahlano was the son and grandson of chiefs and knew many details and stories from his family and people. Starting in 1932 he told these to Major J.S. Matthews, the first archivist for the city of Vancouver.
Those were turned into "Conversations with Khahtsahlano 1932-1954," a book that contained many details about the history and culture of the Squamish people and early settlers to the region.
While the book, initially published by the city archives, is available online it's been out of print for decades. Now Massy Books is working on reprinting the iconic work.
"A couple of months ago Massy Books was contacted by a Squamish elder and asked to reprint this book, and so that is what’s being done!" says the shop on Facebook. "Extremely scarce and long-out of print, 'Conversations with Khahtsahlano 1932-1954' is one of the most significant texts on local history, and continues to be a deep source of knowledge about early “Vancouver” and traditional life."
They're accepting pre-orders now; soft covers books are going for $45.95 and hardcovers will be $65.95.
