Meghan Dewar · Multimedia journalist | Posted: Nov. 18, 2024, 3:19 p.m.
MEMBERTOU — Ethan Paul is bringing a new concept to the community of Membertou: a regalia lending library that he has named in honour of his late cousin Shaylene Johnson.
The 25-year-old had originally begun pursuing the project of a regalia lending library a while before Shaylene’s passing in July.
“Other communities have similar things; I think I saw that Fort Folly in New Brunswick has one and that is where I based it off of. It started out a year ago when I applied for a grant with Collier Project Leaders, they have a community-builder grant. I ended up receiving that in September. It was not originally going to be in memorial, that was after I got the funding,” Paul explained.
The namesake only made sense as Johnson had been a cultural advocate in the community and had her own anecdote about needing to borrow regalia while in France.
“She was always someone who had culture at the forefront. She worked at our youth centre and did a lot of cultural crafts and stuff with the kids. She also worked here at the Heritage Park at some point,” said Paul.
“The photo I used for the regalia library is from when she went to France for Membertou as a backup singer for the Vimy Ridge anniversary. At the time, she didn’t have her own regalia, so she borrowed it from Jane Meader.”
Read the full article at “Something like this fills your heart with joy”: Membertou regalia lending library established in Shaylene Johnson’s honour – SaltWire
Ethan Paul 