During her time in Campbell River for the Living Legacy Project in 2025, Celia Haig-Brown—Professor Emerita at York University and youngest child of Roderick and Ann Haig-Brown—returned to the home, river, and community that shaped her. This five-month residency replaced the annual Haig-Brown Writer-in-Residence Program and offered a rich exploration of legacy, relationship, and respectful collaboration.
Through a series of four public conversations and a workshop, Celia engaged Indigenous writers, artists, and Haig-Brown family members in dialogue around the theme “To be in good relation.” Grounded in the “Four Rs” framework—Relevance, Reciprocity, Responsibility, and Return—the sessions examined practical ways of working and being together with respect.
Highlights included conversations with Tseshaht publisher Randy Fred, Secwepemc poet Garry Gottfriedson, Haida artist Sihlgyang/Desmond Bowker and Mary Haig-Brown, and author-photographer Alan Haig-Brown, with film screenings co-directed by Celia and her niece, Tsilhqot’in filmmaker Helen Haig-Brown. The final workshop focused on conducting respectful research and reflected Celia’s decades of work with Indigenous communities and scholars.
As the project concluded in spring 2025, Celia returned to Toronto to continue her writing and academic work, leaving behind a meaningful legacy of dialogue, creativity, and connection in the Campbell River community.
