Just in time for Manitoba’s Louis Riel Day, a new biography explores his grandmother’s life and significance. Author Maggie Siggins writes, “It’s been said that in Marie-Anne’s latter years she and her favourite grandchild, Louis Riel, were very close. No wonder. They were kindred spirits.” How this historical figure has been remembered shows us a lot about how shared memory changes over time, and what the limits of history can be. What can you do to keep the past and its people alive?

Miss Lou’s Room is a dynamic remembrance of the great Jamaican icon, who influenced many around the world, including in her adopted city of Toronto. Miss Lou’s is a strong presence in the space at Harbourfront that bears her name. The very personal nature of the comments in the visitors’ book makes clear the depth of the impact that Louise Bennett-Coverley had on so many now-grown children. The room itself piques the senses of the children who now come to the space for an afternoon storytelling.

Miss Lou�??s Room is a dynamic remembrance of the great Jamaican icon, whose influence is felt around the world, with a particular resonance in Toronto. Miss Lou�??s is a strong presence in the space at Harbourfront that bears her name. The personal nature of the comments in the visitors�?? book makes clear the depth of the impact that Louise Bennett-Coverley had on so many now-grown children. The room itself piques the senses of the youngsters who now come to the space for an afternoon storytelling.

The planning committee of I’m Not a Feminist But invites your submissions for nominations to the First Annual Femmys Award for outstanding feminist achievement in the National Capital Region (that’s Ottawa). Send your nomination no later than February 20, 2009, to coalitionforwomensequality@gmail.com.

February is Black History Month. In celebration, Canada Post is issuing two stamps. One of them honours Rosemary Brown, the first Black woman to be elected to public office. She was also the first woman to run for the leadership of a Canadian federal political party. On Sunday, February 1, the National Congress of Black Women Foundation is hosting the stamp launch in Vancouver, as well as presenting a short play on slavery and two films on Abraham Doras Shadd and Rosemary Brown.