Harry Qualman won Carol’s book as a door prize at a First United event and the chance to take her to lunch to discuss it. Carol helped plan, organize and presided at an adoption event at First United Church, Ottawa, called “Inside the Adoption Circle.” It was a gathering to honour all whose lives had been touched by adoption. Themes of the gathering were: Loss, Comfort, and Celebration and Challenge. Participants included Elaine and Theland Kicknosway, Carol’s adoptive daughter and grandson who drummed and sang; Lorena Duncan on harp; Margaret Singleton, an adult adoptee, who read a birth mother’s poem “Our Time”; Kim Butler, a birth grandmother, who spoke of her love for her daughter, a birth mother; Sue Taylor, an adult adoptee, who read a poem “A Child’s Lament” written by Cheryl Farris-Manning; Geoff Oliver, an adoptive father who reflected on his family’s life with Francky, his son adopted from Haiti; Dorothy Naylor and Garth Mundle who presented their story of the adoption of their two sons in “Reflections”; Karen White-Jones who spoke of the adoption of her son Zane in “God Gracious Gift.” Songs by Laura Smith “Gartan Mother’s Lullaby” and John Denver “All This Joy” were heard. Those who came sang “”Stay With Us,” and “We Are Sending You Light” and shared A Litany. One of the highlights was the Ritual of Light - those present were invited to light a candle in honour of someone in the adoption circle.
Carleton University and the Ottawa Adoption Community sponsored the showing of the National Film Board film, “A Place Between: The Story of an Adoption” followed by an informal panel discussion moderated by Dr. Karen March in which Carol’s adoptive daughter, Elaine, and Carol participated. The film depicts First Nations adoptees struggling to bridge the gap between birth and adoptive families. It illustrated issues between a birth mother and an adoptive mother. Those living inside the adoption circle - adoptees, adoptive parents, birth parents, their relatives and friends, adoption professionals and educators, Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginal people attended.
Carol and her daughter Elaine appeared on a panel on Saturday, 16 November, 2013, sponsored by Carleton University and the Ottawa Adoption Community. The National Film Board film, “A Place Between: The Story of an Adoption” was shown, followed by an informal panel discussion moderated by Dr. Karen March.
The film depicts First Nations adoptees struggling to bridge the gap between birth and adoptive families and illustrates issues between a birth mother and an adoptive mother. Those living inside the adoption circle - adoptees, adoptive parents, birth parents, their relatives - their friends, adoption professionals and educators, Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals attended. Book launches were held in Ottawa in late September (28th) and in Winnipeg and Saskatoon in the first half of October. Our family lived in all three cities, so many friends came to the launches to say hello and buy Carol’s book. Prior to the launch on October 8th in Winnipeg, Ken and Carol met with Scott McDonald and expressed appreciation for his invaluable support during Carol’s reunion with her birth mother. Carol was inspired by meeting with adoption and foster workers from Metis Child and Family Services, thanks to friend, Dennis Lewycky. She was deeply moved to have more than 12 Fort Garry high school friends, and 3 primary school friends, whom she hadn’t seen in 60 years from her childhood village, at the Winnipeg launch. Grateful thanks to Marianne Hodgson, Fran Davis and Lois Johanson for spreading the word. The presence and support of her birth brother and his wife meant a lot to her. In Saskatoon, dear friends of Carol and Ken’s, Paul and Nancy Wilkinson and Thelma Howard spread the word about the October 15th launch. Friends of their children—Aileen Hayden, Sheila and Wes Potter, and Susan Fowler came, as well as old friends—Allan Wickstrom, Rob Dumont, Phyllis and Brenda Baker, Kathy Simmie, and close work colleagues—Red Williams, Nik Semenoff, Dave Keegan, Mary Steiger. The Wilkinsons hosted a lovely after-launch gathering for Open School parents. Other people who came were interested in Carol’s book because of their own adoption connection. The first book launch was held on September 28th in the Chapel of First United Church in Ottawa. Friends from church and adoption and just friends and family pitched in to make it a welcoming, exciting event. Eleanor Henderson, Ann Goldsmith, Terry Richmond, Margaret Maxted, Jane Ellis, and Shayla Mindell and others equally helpful bought and brought food, served drinks, sold books, and had attendees sign the guest book. Carol was thrilled to see Carleton professors Helen Levine and Colleen Lundy, her mentor in the audience. Jennifer Jang and her children, Ania Wasilewska and Kevin Murchie and their children came and brought flowers. It was heartwarming and overwhelming to greet birth mothers and adoptive families. 235 books were sold at the launches and another 365 have been sold individually. The book is taking on a life of its own, and carrying Carol along with it.
|
Categories
All
AuthorCarol Bowyer Shipley brings a unique perspective to the world of adoption as an adoptee, an adoptive mother and an adoption professional. As adoption practitioner and birth parent counsellor, she worked for 25 years in the private adoption system and public child welfare agencies in Ontario with adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents. Recently retired, she lives in Ottawa, Canada, with her husband, Ken. Her four children, their spouses, and seven grandchildren constantly enrich her life. This is the updated edition of her first book, published in 2013. Archives
July 2016
|