Gresko went on to earn a
Bachelor’s degree in Honours His-
tory at U.B.C. then a Master’s in
Canadian Studies from Carleton
University in Ottawa. She has
been a Douglas College history in-
structor since the College opened
in 1970, and is currently the Chair
of the Arts and Humanities
Department.

“You have to see local and
regional history in perspective
with the rest of Canada and the
world," she says. "What I try to
do in teaching Canadian History
is to give students a horizontal
view, where you see B.C. as part
of Canada since the time of the
fur trade."

As for regional identity, she
says, "Some people might not
like it but we are also part of the
American Pacific Northwest.
Our identity flows north and
south as well as east and west."

When she travelled in Europe
her two favorite places were Lis-
bon, and Oslo. Like New
Westminster, both are port cities.
Gresko's fascination with har-
bours recently came to light again
with the publication of Fraser
Port: Freightway to the Pacific.

 

— eae

Gresko edited the project which
is the first detailed history of a
British Columbia harbour opera-
tion. She says dozens of Douglas
College and Kwantlen College
students helped compile archive
materials for the book.

As well, Gresko has two other
areas in which she has done ex-
tensive research. Her Master’s
thesis and subsequent work has
focused on Native Indian mission-
ary schools. She has also
published articles about Mary
Moody’s life in New Westminster
from 1859 to 1863.

Mary was the wife of Richard
Clement Moody, a Royal En-
gineer who surveyed the bush
that was to become New
Westminster. "She enjoyed a posi-
tion of privilege," Gresko says,
"put Mary Moody was a very self-
sufficient woman. Her long dress
trailed in the mud, the family
lived in tents, and she had her
seven small children to look after.
Yet she also helped other newly-
arrived families and young men."

Gresko herself seems very
happy with two children; a boy
11 years old and a girl who is 13.

 

Jacqueline Gresko spoke at the Fraser River Harbour Commission’s

official book-launching reception.

 

"Things I do with the children
keep me quite busy," she says.
She mentions Boy Scouts, Girl
Guide camp, and soccer, and
adds, "Every time your kids join
an organization, you join too."

Another part of family life in-
cludes running with her husband.
"We started running in June," she
says. “That's the big event in my
life recently -- 1 won a medal ina
five-kilometre fun run in Septem-
ber." She has since participated in
several 10-Kilometre events. "I
really enjoy it," she says. “It’s
good relaxation.”

As for future projects, Gresko is
again looking towards the har-
bour. Next time she would like to
compile an Administrative His-
tory of the Port of Vancouver.