Kelleen Blouin, David Collins’ great-great-granddaughter, delivered this speech on Sunday, Sept. 27, at the unveiling of a cairn commemorating Collins’ role in the discovery of the Flin Flon ore body:
Hello everyone! I would like to give a huge welcome to everyone here today!
I stand here today representing David Collins’ family that is here today, as well as my late grandmother, Granny Emilia McNichol, my late father, Ted Mackonka, and my mother, Agnes [Mackonka].
About 40 years ago, Emilia, along with Ted and Agnes, were the first crusaders, bringing the Collins story regarding the discovery of the Flin Flon ore body to the public.
A hundred years ago, David Collins, a Métis trapper and prospector, walked this land with his pack on his back and teapot ready to boil some tea. He discovered the initial mineral of the ore body that Flin Flon has prospered from for 100 years.
This story of David Collins brings pride to my family and it has been told many times over the six generations — or more — that have descended from him.
Granny would tell me stories when I was a little girl about when she was a little girl. David, her grandfather, would have his rocks all around his cabin at Baker’s Narrows, and he would show them to her.
This oral history is something I grew up with. The stories remained the same, and the message was made clear to me of what a great man David was to my Granny. She loved him, and her stories reflected that.
Where do I come in? Great-great-granddaughter of David Collins, eyewitness to the events that took place during the crusade for the truth of the David Collins story, I travelled with Granny, who could speak Cree and interpret, and with Ted the go-getter and Agnes the softer buffer, in the crusade to Cumberland House to speak to a very old elder who had talked with David Collins first-hand about his discovery.
As we know, oral history is necessary, but they wanted documentation to go along with their cause, and were able to get signed affidavits.
As I grew up, I lived with the passion in my dad’s heart as he typed away at his manual typewriter every week, writing to everywhere possible to get the true story of David Collins’ discovery out to the world — the CBC, newspapers, etc.
Some of the recognition accomplishments for David have included a grave marker stating Collins as founder of the Flin Flon mine and Collins Street, named after David in the Town of Creighton.
Ted tried to change the name of Creighton to Collins, but that didn’t work out. As some of you know, Ted did address his return address as Collins, and he would receive mail! I love that; he just wouldn’t give up!
In my mind, one of the greatest accomplishments was that the crusaders were able to prevent the building of a causeway through the gravesite of David Collins and other graves at Baker’s Narrows, so that his resting place would remain.
Now, 100 years after the discovery, why is this story still being told?
The David Collins Committee started long before I joined. This group of people came together for various reasons: to honestly reflect the historical role played by David Collins; to harness the love of history; conservation; so that the history of the north is not forgotten; to honour a worthy cause; the love of rocks; to keep a promise to family members that have passed on that there would be recognition; and because it was always something that should have been done. To tie it all up, one committee member thought this cairn memorial is a collaboration of past, present and future.
I would also like to thank my Uncle Alix McNichol, who is there when I call upon him to answer my family history questions and who continues to keep family records and history.
As I come to the end of my talk, I would like to say that when I was asked to do this I so wished that my dad was alive, my mom was able and especially that I had some input from my Granny Emilia.
Anyone who knew Granny knows she would find a way. Let’s just say I was prompted to find an old newspaper in the shed. I opened this newspaper that was meant to be thrown away and found Granny’s story.
I’m finishing up today with Granny’s words: “David Collins would say, ‘I’m still waiting for my sugar to put in my tea that Creighton promised me.’” She said that he would always laugh and say that there was no harm in waiting for his sugar.
On behalf of myself and my family, and also speaking for my ancestors, thanks to everyone who came out today. I believe that the truth somehow always finds a way and I am grateful and honoured that the crusade for Collins continues.
One last thing: I want to offer Collins some sugar on behalf of all of us who are here to recognize the sweetness that is in historical truths. To David Collins!
At the unveiling of the David Collins cairn, Kelleen Blouin sprinkled some sugar at the foot of the monument.
