The December 2013

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DECEMBER Christmas Party and Potluck Dinner Sunday December 8th - 4:00 pm Scandinavian Cultural Centre, 764 Erin Santa’s elves are busy getting gifts ready for Christmas. He’ll be showing up at our party, as usual, so be sure to send in the names and ages of kids who will be present by contacting Margaret Munn at [email protected] or 204-237-1805. This is a POTLUCK DINNER, and we will need mostly mains, salads and veggie dishes, as well as a few desserts.

FEBRUARY National Days Friday February 1st, 2014 Save the date for our annual celebration of our National Days. Potluck and PAVLOVA bake-off. More details in January Yarn. Your new DUCW board to take you into 2014: (from left) Norm Griffiths, Margaret Munn; Charlie Powell, RSVP Catherine Bowering, Peter Munn (President), Terry Roberts. If you let us know you are coming, we can be ready for you! RSVP to 204-237-1805 or email [email protected] . Annual (somewhat) general meeting

ith a quorum, and some, duly gath - the Secretary. After the meeting Brian Hyde - Are your Membership dues paid for 2014? ered, the Annual General Meeting smith gave an explanation and demonstra - Individual $20 … Couple/family $30 … Mail of the Downunder Club of Win - tion of the recently enhanced website your cheques to the Club at the address on the W front of this issue, pay in person at the next nipeg was held at the Scandinavian Cultural capabilities. If you haven’t already, members event, or take advantage of our new PayPal link Centre 7pm Friday 29th November 2013. The are strongly encouraged to visit http://dow - on the website for faster and more secure usual reports and business were dealt with nunderclub.mb.ca and create your payment. Any questions or comments, please and the election of officers for 2014 held. own login and contact Peter Debenham at [email protected] or Your new Board is President – Peter Munn; explore all the info 204-955-0393. Vice-President – Catherine Bowering; Past- and resources there. President – Terry Roberts; Secretary – Mar - The bar was open and Advertise in The Southern Yarn. Contact Jenny garet Munn; Treasurer – Peter Debenham; snacks provided for (228-9959, [email protected]) for all Membership – Norm Griffiths; Newsletter – an enjoyable social the rates. Send your submission by email to Charlie Powell; Social – vacant. Many good evening. [email protected] or mail to PO Box ideas for ongoing sustainability of the club 1655, Stn Main, Winnipeg MB R3C 2Z6. were raised during Other Business, which Gordon Keatch presided the Board will follow up on in the coming over the election months. The full minutes are available from

e find us on facebook or the web n

i www.downunderclub.mb.ca l

n email: [email protected] o Merry Christmas to everyone at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, where he was and may your New Year (2014) be all injured in the leg. He served in Winnipeg’s editorially you wish it to be and more. Fort Garry Horse, though when they yours If you were at the AGM, were deployed to France they were on Charlie Powell which I hope you were, you'll foot without their horses. I can only know that I am no longer imagine what it was like in the ’day. President but because of trenches, very uncomfortable to say Australia wins the First Test in Bris - time restraints on the Yarn, the least. As it is, he died shortly Gbane in the Ashes Series after a very Charlie asked if I would do after the war from effects of the long and embarrassing drought; Fiorente one last comment for 2013. president’s mustard gas used in the trench - wins the 2013 Melbourne Cup; the All I would like to thank ramblings es in France. So many died of Blacks win over Ireland (just!), making it a everyone for their support Terry Roberts the after-effects who are not hat-trick for their European tour; and Adam over the years and let you thought among those who died Scott, after winning the US Masters this know I will still be around putting in my in action, but they should be. Anyway, my year (the first Australian to do so), is on two cents’ worth at board meets and point really was if you go to a Remembrance track to add the triple crown of Australian through the yarn as past president. Service, this was a very moving one. majors to his extraordinary golfing achieve - Now for something completely different, Back to a lighter subject, remember the ments. Meanwhile, here in Winnipeg, we on November 11th I was at the West Kildo - Christmas Party December 8th, come and too are exhibiting that same athletic ability, nan Legion Branch 30 for the Remem - join us to celebrate Christmas with Santa. single-minded determination and physical brance Day Service. I go every year to Good food, good friends and stamina. We’ve been in training all year, remember my Grandfather who was in the Santa. and now all the preparation pays off - as we Canadian Armed Forces in WW1 and fought clear sidewalks, driveways and pathways shoveling snow! Well, OK, some of us are coughing and We are your 100% wheezing our way through the chore, pac - $ ing ourselves so we don’t overdo it, and South Pacific wishing we could just put our feet up and watch those real sporting heroes do their Experts! Winnipeg to Auckland CAD1765 return thing. Ah, winter in Winnipeg! Well here’s Valid departures Oct. 1 –18 or Dec. 1 –16 another Yarn to relax with as you take a breather from all that exertion. Winnipeg to Sydney CAD2160 return Gordon takes a breather from his mem - Valid departures Oct. 1 –18 or Dec 1 –16 ber interviews this month, but fortunately we have some interesting family history 14 Day NZ Self Drive Package incl. return airfare CAD3842 p/p** from Laurie Morris with a connection to the film (p.4). Terry Roberts 21 Day NZ Great Walks Discover Package incl. return airfare CAD7584 p/p** has kindly obliged with one last message ** Add on Great Aussie Rail from the President. I’m sure all members Journey, call us for details! join me in a hearty Thank You Mate! For All taxes and service fees includ - ed in pricing of Airfares and Air- Terry’s long stint at the Club’s helm. inclusive packages. Subject to Thanks again also to Murray Burt for his change and availability. Commonwealth news updates. And Judy and I wish you all a very happy Christmas. (403) 270-4414 Phone Enjoy! 1-866-470-4414 Toll Free Charlie [email protected] Lower Level, 121, 14th St. NW Calgary • www.downunder-travel.com More than 40 years’ South Pacific experience Kiwi Installations & sales Roll-up Security Shutters, decks, fences and more. kiwiinstallations.com Free in-home/cottage estimates.

Call Terry 204-229-6642 or 204-663-6549

2 The Southern Yarn • www.downunderclub.mb.ca December 2013 that started on the roof of a Brisbane home. Dunaden in 2011. news fromOz Not even falling off the roof into a shrub It is a famous win for Sydney trainer various sources, see web links in online edition was enough to stop them - they just rolled on Waterhouse, the most prominent figure in to the ground and kept fighting. Australian racing, who had long coveted her Nova Peris The stoush raged for nearly three hours first success in the nation's greatest race. makes before snake wrangler Bryan Robinson was But it is also a personal triumph for jock - emotional called in to break it up. More online. ey Damien Oliver, who was suspended over a maiden betting charge last year, and controversially speech in Australia wins allowed back to riding in time for this year's Parliament first Test – spring carnival. Read more online . She is one of Aus - Ashes tralia's most deco - So England are all news zealand rated indigenous out for 179 and Aus - source: NZ Herald, unless otherwise noted athletes, yet Nova Peris says she would give tralia win by 381 up the medals and accolades ''in a heartbeat'' runs. Mitchell John - to see Aboriginal Australians free, healthy son the man for the New Zealand iced tea brand and participating fully in all this country - home side, finishing with 5/42 to go with his launched in Australia their country - has to offer. 4/61 in the first innings. The turnaround New Zealand-based Peris also says her sporting achieve - was dramatic and I doubt anybody on the family-owned bever - ments are ''virtually meaningless'' when planet predicted this result at the end of day age manufacturer compared with the triumph over adversity of one. Surely one of the great Ashes come - Teza Drinks has both her mother Joan and grandmother Nora. backs for Australia. Read more online . launched its range of Australia's first indigenous female to be iced teas, Teza Teas, in Australia. elected to the Federal Parliament told their Brisbane online butcher stories in an emotional maiden speech in the launches “high-nutrient” Teza Drinks said the range is “100 per cent Senate on Wednesday, her face painted with sausages for kids natural and organic” and “feature the finest ochre from an ancient site in the Northern A Brisbane-based online butcher has quality organic leaf teas that are brewed Territory. Read more online . released a “high-nutrient” vegetable and fresh by the batch and infused with natural meat sausage, which it says contains 13 vita - fruit juices and botanicals”. The Company David mins and minerals. said its teas “contain no artificial flavours, Richards and Meatcart.com.au said the sausages are additives or preservatives”. his family set aimed at children who do not like to eat their Teza Drinks was launched in 2007, and up 502,165 vegetables. is owned and run by husband and wife duo Christmas “We created a high-nutrient sausage that Joe Gehrke and Daphne Raj. [ Sophie Langley] lights around kids would love to eat but also delivers a sig - Read more online . their home nificant portion of their recommended daily intake of vitamins including B-group vita - Post Typhoon Message for Dairy mins, Folate, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, Workers Australian family set Christmas Phosphorus, Zinc, Iron and Magnesium,” [21 November 2013 NEW ZEALAND] – A lights record said Darren Walsh, Food Technologist and message of support and sympathy has been An Australian family have put up 502,165 Managing Director of Meatcart.com.au. broadcast by Dairy New Zealand to the Christmas lights around their home, setting More online. typhoon struck Filipino community, in a new world record. recognition of their plight and contribution The Richards family, in Canberra, set the Gai Waterhouse’s Fiorente wins to farming.Chair of the industry group, John record for the most Christmas lights on a res - the 2013 Melbourne Cup Luxton, voiced farmer concerns for Filipino idential property, Guinness World Records Fiorente has won the 2013 Melbourne Cup in morale this week, stating that support will confirmed. a thrilling finish from Red Cadeaux and be necessary to help worker stress level fol - The father, David Richards, told reporters Mount Athos. lowing a ‘hectic spring’. Filipino’s are essen - he had started working on the display in The 2013 edition of the race became a tial to the sector, making up eight per cent of October. The family first held the world battle of two horses who had been previous the New Zealand workforce, explained Mr record in 2011, before losing the title to a runners-up, and the Gai Waterhouse-trained Luxton. "They are working on farms all family in New York. Read more online . Fiorente, second around the country but many are based in in last year's Mel - Canterbury and Southland. This is a busy Twisty marathon for pythons bourne Cup, time on farms so we are conscious that this RARE footage has showed greater may be adding to their stress levels.” He surfaced of two stamina over the added: “I’d urge any workers who have been male carpet final 250 metres affected to talk to their employers as they pythons while they to hold out Red will want to help them as much as they can. were locked in a Cadeaux, the run - I know a lot of support has already been three-hour battle ner-up to shown by farmers.” Dairy New Zealand has continued on page 4

December 2013 www.downunderclub.mb.ca • The Southern Yarn 3 continued from page 3 been in contact with the Filipino Dairy Work - Historical connections ers in New Zealand group to assist in sup - port. Farmers are welcome to seek advice on Thanks to DUCW member Laurie Morris for I guess, if he hadn’t met my great great great how to manage workers at this time, added this ... great grandfather,” says 50-year-old Kenora, Mr Luxton. Money can be donated to the Ont., resident Laurie Morris, whose mother TORONTO – A Canadian connection to the is descended from Bass’s second daughter harrowing film 12 Years a Slave has the real- Hannah. life descendants of one courageous charac - “For the Canadian side of things, it shows ter beaming with pride. we’re good people. I just imagine being The unflinching big screen account of down there and being the only Canadian slavery in the Deep South — already consid - with an opinion like that.” ered a frontrunner for awards season glory — Morris and other descendants say they is based on the true story of Solomon are only now discovering details about Bass, Northup, a free black man lured from his who left Canada sometime around 1840 and home in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., in 1841 and took on a series of carpentry jobs throughout sold into slavery. the United States. It turns out that other aspects of his life New Zealand Red Cross. - See more online. Story continues below were not so honourable — census records Recreating the Maori garden Played in the film by Chiwetel Ejiofor, show he left behind a wife, Catherine Lydia A traditional Maori vegetable garden (maara Northup ends up forced to toil on a series of Lane, and four daughters: Catherine, Han - kai) is being recreated at Victoria University punishing Louisiana plantations where he’s nah, Martha Maria and Zeruah Bass, says for research purposes. stripped of his papers, freedom and even his Bonnie Gaylord of the Grenville County His - Space is being cleared and prepared for name. torical Society in Prescott, Ont. planting behind the University’s Maori Stud - His torment ends only after a chance Morris’ 75-year-old mother says that ies (Te Kawa a Maui) building. encounter with an enlightened Canadian car - could be why she had never heard of Samuel The project is based on recreating the penter Samuel Bass, played by Brad Pitt, who Bass until 12 Years a Slave. type of garden Maori tended prior to Euro - agrees to help him contact friends who can “He wasn’t talked about in our family, I pean contact, with planting scheduled vouch for his identity. guess it was because he was never around,” around the Maori calendar. Pitt’s character is based on a real-life fig - says Rae Moulton Todd of Prescott, located “To our knowledge this is the first time ure from Ontario’s Augusta Township, and about 100 kilometres south of Ottawa, near this has been done in a Maori context in 160 years later, his descendants say they are the original Bass family farm. Wellington,” says Head of Te Kawa a Maui, amazed to learn of their forefather’s brave “It is kind of exciting. And then I turn Associate Professor Peter Adds. response to a man in need. around and I think, ‘He really was a big jerk.’ Read more online “The movie is about , He left his wife and four daughters here to be right? But we would never have heard of him, looked after by whoever.” This past summer, historian and author David Fiske traced the wandering Bass to southern Ontario. He says he became curi - ous about the man’s background after doing some broader research on the book for Fox Searchlight’s marketing department in advance of the film’s release. Premier Greg Selinger cordially invites you He found the link in ’s 2007 and your family to the annual book Solomon Northup’s ’12 Years a Slave’ and Plantation Life in the Antebellum South, which included material from the diary of a Legislative Building lawyer Bass hired to draw up a will. “Bass had told him about some of his fam - Open House ily in Canada and about different relatives that he had, some that were living in the United States, and that he still had a wife in Saturday, December 7, 2013 Canada,” says Fiske, author of Solomon 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Northup: The Complete Story of the Author of Twelve Years a Slave.

Join Members of the Legislative Assembly Read the balance of this story online in the PDF in a celebration of Manitoba’s festive traditions. versions of this newsletter, available at www.dow - Please bring a non-perishable food item or nunderclub.mb.ca - and download the December an unwrapped toy for the Christmas Cheer Board. 2013 issue of The Southern Yarn.

4 The Southern Yarn • www.downunderclub.mb.ca December 2013 commonwealth place by Murray Burt

NZ PM says he’ll use navy against protesters to secure US drilling project ith the huge Texas oil firm Anadarko set up and drilling off The protester vessel, Vega, stays on course as Wthe west coast of New Zealand’s the Noble Bob Douglas moves in. north island, yacht-borne protesters are making their presence felt. Malema is a controversial figure in the army for nine years, was facing deporta - Before the drilling started, protesters South Africa. Having risen to prominence tion after he failed to fill in the necessary were “crowding” the huge Noble Bob Dou - backing the African National Congress with reforms on his discharge from the service. glas drilling rig. In one instance a protes - the support of President Jacob Zuma, who But after his case was taken up in the press tor’s boat was nearly crushed between a US once called him the "future leader" of the and by MPs, he has now been told that he can tender and drill rig and the protesters cried nation. But he has since emerged as a "reck - settle in Britain. foul because it seemed caused by deliberate less populist" with the potential to destabi - Lacanivalu, who served with the 2nd Bat - direction of bow-thrusters against the boat. lize South Africa and to spark racial conflict. talion the Yorkshire regiment in What will be the nation’s deepest explorato - He was convicted of hate speech in 2010 Afghanistan, Bosnia and Northern Ireland, ry oil well is going in 110 nautical miles west of and 2011when he was found guilty of sowing said he was a “happy man” now that his case Raglan over what is believed to be a very prom - divisions within the ANC and, in conjunc - had been resolved. ising deep new field, which if expectations are tion with his two-year suspended sentence “I have been in the forces, I’ve put in met will make NZ self-sustaining in oil in 2010, was suspended from the party for effort, sacrificed my life for this country. I With talk about about protester interfer - five years. just think to stay here will be a benefit, ence, Prime Minister John Key said the NZ He was convicted of hate speech in 2010- there’s more opportunities,” he said in a BBC Navy could be brought in to deal with the sit - 11 after very publicly singing the song 'Dubula interview. uation if it got out of hand. iBunu' (Shoot the Boer), and last year he was Home Secretary Theresa May and immi - “The law-change that we made clarified charged with fraud and money-laundering. gration minister Mark Harper were reported some of the roles, and effectively put in place Indonesia angry about Australian spying to have personally reviewed his case before the exclusion zone,” he said. “Essentially as I on president deciding he could remain. understand it, any operation — if one was The government in Jakarta is fuming after Lacanivalu, who spent five weeks in a required — would be run by the police, but I learning Australian security was found to be detention centre awaiting deportation to Fiji, think it’s run alongside Maritime New tapping the phone calls of Indonesian presi - said it had never been explained to him that Zealand and they can deploy Navy assets. dent Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and moni - he would need to apply to remain in the UK Delays forced by public interference could toring those of members of the inner circle. when he left the army. cost the oil company $1-million a day. Indonesia is the largest recipient of Aus - “I was not aware of that because I did not Anadarko has made world headlines in tralian aid, and Australia is the fourth- receive any instructions from the army itself its projects in the past. Most recently was largest donor of foreign aid to Indonesia — or the Ministry of Defence before I left the when it was found by a US court to be jointly $541.6 million in 2012–13, and is expected forces,” he said. liable for the Gulf of Mexico spill in 2010, but to grow to $646.8 million the following year. A Home Office spokesman said: “Foreign it denied culpability. Relations between the two countries are in and commonwealth military personnel who limbo. Yudhoyono said that Indonesia was have served for more than four years can Disgraced South African youth suspending all military and intelligence apply to settle here up to two years after leav - leader sells out to pay tax cooperation with Australia until he received ing the military….the home secretary and Julius Sello Malema, a youth firebrand in a proper explanation. immigration minister personally reviewed South Africa, has had to sell his luxury $5- Sources of the illicit monitoring was con - his case and, in light of his service in the million home, a farm in Limpopo , to pay tained in data released by former US securi - British army, have agreed he should be overdue taxes. The former controversial ANC ties contractor Edward Snowden, whose leak granted settlement in the UK.” youth leader wanted his house ‘to be like one of confidential documents to media outlets of those in Hollywood’. revealed the spying operations by the Five Murray Burt is president of the Manitoba branch Malema, 32, is a South African politician Eyes Group, the United States, New Zealand of the Royal Commonwealth Society; past presi - and made headlines as a fiery (and trouble - Canada and Britain. dent of the Commonwealth Journalists Associa - some) president of the African National Con - tion; a member of the Advisory Board of the gress Youth League. He was expelled as a Fijian soldier gets to stay in UK Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative; Hon LCol member of the ANC 2012. He has since A former soldier from Fiji has won his battle of the 78th Fraser Highlanders; and a director of the Royal Military Institute (Manitoba) and The become the Commander-in-Chief of the Eco - to stay in the UK after issuing a personal Intrepid Society. He is retired from more than 50 nomic Freedom Fighters political movement, appeal to Prime Minister David Cameron. years of journalism . which he founded in July 2013. Filimone Lacanivalu, who served with

December 2013 www.downunderclub.mb.ca • The Southern Yarn 5 Board of Directors The season is upon us: Aussie Jingle Bells President: Terry Roberts Dashing through the bush, Vice President: Peter Munn in a rusty Holden Ute, Secretary: Kicking up the dust, Margaret Munn esky in the boot, Newsletter Editor: Kelpie by my side, Charlie Powell singing Christmas songs, Treasurer: It’s Summer time and I am in Peter Debenham my singlet, shorts and thongs Social Coordinator: VACANT Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, Membership: Christmas in Australia on a scorching summers day, Hey! Norm Griffiths Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut !, Past President: Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute. Lynley Davidson Engine’s getting hot; we dodge the kangaroos, This newsletter can be downloaded in PDF The swaggie climbs aboard, format from the website. Thank you to all of our contributors within the club, from he is welcome too. overseas and information services. Layout All the family’s there, by [email protected] sitting by the pool, The Southern Yarn is published by the Down Christmas Day the Aussie way, Under Club of Winnipeg, Inc. (DUCW). The by the barbecue. views and opinions expressed by Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, contributors to this publication are not endorsed by, nor do they necessarily reflect Christmas in Australia on a scorching summers day, Hey! those of, the members of the DUCW. The Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!, DUCW and the Editor of The Southern Yarn Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute. do not accept any responsibility for the content or accuracy of information or Come the afternoon, websites contained in this publication. Grandpa has a doze, Articles may be republished with The kids and Uncle Bruce, permission of the Editor. are swimming in their clothes. The time comes 'round to go, T H E D O W N U N D E R CLUB OF WINNIPEG INC. we take the family snap, Station Main, PO Box 1655, Pack the car and all shoot through, Winnipeg Manitoba Canada R3C 2Z6 before the washing up. 1-204-832-4405 Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, [email protected] Christmas in Australia on a scorching summers day, Hey! www.downunderclub.mb.ca Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!, Like us on facebook! Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute (Contributed by Shelley Botka - December 2005) Proudly printed in Winnipeg by http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/xmas/australianjinglebells.shtml Kendrick Quality Printing Ltd.

6 The Southern Yarn • www.downunderclub.mb.ca December 2013 out against the practice even though few like Pitt, who plays him in the movie, Gay - epages seemed to share his views at the time. lord says she has yet to come across any pho - for news that just would not fit in the print issue “They kind of got a kick out of him tos of the man. because there weren’t that many people that But she does note that the A-lister’s tenu - CONTINUED from Page 4 were berating slavery in Louisiana. They ous connection to a local family has made “He gave her name, and he gave names of would say, ‘Oh, there goes Samuel Bass the community excited and interested in its two of his daughters and so forth, and from again, going on about slavery,’” says Fiske, own history. that information from the diary … I realized adding that it’s not known if Bass helped any “So many people have been asking me if that this matches up with the Samuel Bass other slaves. Brad Pitt came to our archives,” chuckles that was born in August 1807 in Augusta “It was dangerous for him to have written Gaylord, a distant Bass relative by marriage. (Township).” the letters (for Northup) in the first place “Unfortunately not.” He notes that John Pamplin Wadill’s because, obviously somebody that was Donna Geary of Peterborough, Ont., who diary also offers clues to why Bass left his opposed to slavery or helping slaves in says Bass is her great great great uncle, says family. Louisiana was not going to be looked at kind - she caught wind of a family connection in “He had been separated from his wife for ly by the other people. But he was willing to the summer when a cousin noticed the film 12 or 15 years,” Wadill states in an entry go even (further) because he was willing to was heading to the Toronto International dated Aug. 30, 1953, which also lists Bass’s travel all the way to New York State to actual - Film Festival. wife’s name as Lydia Catlin Lane. ly bring direct word and find somebody in That eagle-eyed film fan actually recog - “His only complaint against her was that Saratoga that knew Northup and would be nized the name Samuel Bass in the film’s she had such a temper as to preclude any able to get him freed. As it turned out he did - synopsis and quickly spread the word. man from living with her.” n’t have to do that.” “It started quite a buzz,” says the 54-year- The diary also raises the possibility that The fact much of Bass’s past appears to old Geary, a marketing consultant who also Bass may have had a second family in have been purposefully obscured makes it teaches at Toronto’s Seneca College. Louisiana, says Fiske. The diary notes Bass difficult to accurately piece together his “It was a shock to everyone in our family.” died of pneumonia at the home of a free story, Fiske and Gaylord add. She sent out a general tweet about her woman of colour in Marksville, La., named Gaylord notes that Northup’s memoir family ties, admitting: “I thought Brad Pitt Justine Tounier. It says Bass passed away describes Bass as an “old bachelor,” while might reply but I couldn’t find him on Twitter.” Aug. 30, 1853, just months after Northup Fiske refers to a New York Daily Times story Further east in Prescott, Todd says she, regained his freedom. at the time that is suspiciously short on too, was especially tickled to learn Pitt would “I suspect that there was a relationship details about the person who helped play her ancestor. (with Tounier) but the diary doesn’t say,” says Northup write letters. “I was pretty neared floored — Brad Pitt!” Fiske, adding he also discovered the death Fiske says it’s possible Northup declined she exclaims. “I almost jumped over myself.” record of a woman who appears to list Bass to share details in his interview about his It didn’t take long for her to spread the and Tounier as parents. Canadian friend, fearful it could cause trouble. word to other relatives, who all seemed “There’s some evidence that Samuel Bass “He doesn’t want people to go and blame equally excited about the discovery. may have descendants that were in Samuel Bass for this and get him in trouble “We sent it out to everybody, everybody Louisiana, and maybe still has descendants because he realizes there could be repercus - we know. It’s all gone on the Internet and all in Louisiana.” sions for Bass,” says Fiske, speaking from our relatives all over the place,” says Todd, Many details about the Bass family in his home in Ballston Spa, N.Y., near Saratoga who dug into her own stash of family photos Canada are stored at the Grenville County His - Springs. and was stunned to find images of her great torical Society, says Gaylord, noting that “When he did his book he revealed a lot great grandmother Hannah and Hannah’s includes census records, letters and other doc - more, but that was some months later.” husband David Nelson Brown. uments detailing the sprawling Bass family. The film 12 Years a Slave diverges from Since learning of the story, Todd says she She notes that Samuel Bass’s grandpar - the book in one key aspect involving another and her husband went out to the old Bass ents were from the United States, and that Northup ally, says Fiske. In the film, a store - property to check out the house Bass grew may have been why he headed south. keeper from Saratoga Springs travels to up in — now empty — and an old barn that His grandparents Adonijah Bass and Louisiana to rescue Northup. In fact, the still stands. Lydia Draper were United Empire Loyalists storekeeper passed the letter on to other peo - She admits to bringing a hammer to get who lived in Walloomsac, near Hoosick, N.Y., ple and an attorney named Henry B. Northup a souvenir for “the Sam Bass museum in my at the time of the American Revolution, she actually went south, he says. basement.” says. After Adonijah died in the late 1770s, “There are descendants of Henry B. “I got myself some commemorative his wife and children moved to Canada, Northup that I think are going to be a little things out of there,” she says. “Just an old where Bass’s father John married Hannah bit disappointed that his character was writ - door hinge and a pull off a door…. Any little Lakins and had 12 children. ten out of the movie,” says Fiske, guessing thing that happened to be laying on the floor, Shortly before Bass was born in 1807, that filmmakers thought it would be too con - mostly.” Upper Canada (now Ontario) abolished slav - fusing to have another character named “It is exciting and it’s great. That (this) ery in 1793, adds Gaylord, suggesting the fact Northup. can happen in a little town like this…. We Bass grew up amid that sea change may have He says Henry B. Northup was a descen - may start a Sam Bass day.” influenced his ardent anti-slavery views. dant of the family that originally owned © The Canadian Press, 2013 Fiske says Bass was certainly passionate Solomon Northup’s ancestors. in his opposition to slavery, often speaking And as to whether Bass looked anything

November 2013 www.downunderclub.mb.ca • The Southern Yarn • e-page 7