History & Current Events

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• The Bayeux Tapestry – A Medieval Mystery

  • When
    23 Sep 2026
  •  
    1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    ElderCollege Learning Centre
  • Spaces left
    31

  The source of information for the Battle of Hastings is told in the 58 distinct visual scenes on the Bayeux Tapestry.  This priceless 11th Century medieval art, alive with controversy and myth, is currently on display at London’s British Museum, where tickets sold out in minutes through 2026.  Is this Norman propaganda to legitimize William the Conqueror's invasion of England, or is this a true account of the events as they enfolded in 1066? Come learn what is known or not known about this tapestry and the history of this conquest.  

  Presenter, Loraine Littlefield:  PhD in Anthropology
  

  1 Session, $15  Max class size, 30

  Wednesday, September 23rd, 1:00 – 3:00

  Location, ElderCollege Learning Centre

  
  

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• Use My Haida Eyes – An Exhibit at UBC’s Museum of Anthropology

  • When
    24 Sep 2026
  •  
    10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Bus leaves from the ElderCollege Learning Centre
  • Spaces left
    29

  Join us for a visit to UBC’s Museum of Anthropology and enjoy a self-guided tour to see I Use My Haida Eyes, an exhibition of more than 50 robes created by Haida artist Hazel Wilson. Her “history robes” are inspired by traditional button blankets but also use paint, glitter, and other materials to tell stories about Haida culture, family life, and the history of Haida Gwaii. Many of the robes are very large and include scenes from both traditional and modern life. The exhibition also includes written and audio stories that help explain the meaning behind the works. Curated with help from Wilson’s family, this is a unique chance to experience these remarkable robes in person. Photographs never do them justice!

  
  Registrants are welcome to bring along a bag lunch or purchase a light lunch at the museum café, (approximately $20) and enjoy a picnic in the park after touring the exhibits.
  
  

  1 Session, $25.  Max class size, 28

  Thursday, September 24th, 10:00 – 3:00
  

  Return charter bus trip, leaving and returning to/from ElderCollege

  
  

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• Hawai‘i Before Captain Cook: The Rise of Island Kingdoms

  • When
    25 Sep 2026
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    ElderCollege Learning Centre
  • Spaces left
    36

  Long before European ships reached the Hawaiian Islands, powerful chiefs ruled complex societies supported by agriculture, temples, coastal fishponds, and sacred landscapes. This lecture explores Hawai‘i before Captain Cook, focusing on the political and cultural developments that led to the rise of island kingdoms. Archaeological sites such as Pu‘ukoholā Heiau and the royal landscapes of the Kona coast reveal sophisticated systems of authority, ritual, and resource management. Learn how these island societies developed before European contact and how they eventually led toward unification under King Kamehameha I.

  Presenter, Sarah Holma: Anthropologist, Archaeologist, Educator, Public Speaker and PhD Candidate specializing in cultural heritage and sacred landscapes.
  

  1 Session, $15.  Max class size, 35

  Friday, September 25th, 10:00 – Noon

  Location: ElderCollege Learning Centre

  
  
  

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• Archaeology in British Columbia and the Stories It Tells

  • When
    28 Sep 2026
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    ElderCollege Learning Centre
  • Spaces left
    36

  Archaeology tells the story of the human past in British Columbia from 15,000 years ago to yesterday. The story is told through highlighting several important discoveries, including 13,000-year-old footprints, a cave site occupied for 14,000 years, evidence of sophisticated technology and wealth, an ancient traveller melting out of a glacier, the discovery of a previously unknown early 20^th century Japanese logging camp and village in a local forest, and insight into the impacts of COVID on human behaviour. Also covered is how archaeologists make their interpretations and how archaeology is regulated.

  Presenter, Bob Muckle: Author, Registered Professional Archaeologist,  Department of Anthropology Instructor at Capilano University. 

  1 session.  $15  Max class size, 35

  Monday, Sept 28th, 10:00 – Noon

  ElderCollege Learning Centre

  
  
  

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• What’s News

  • Start
    7 Oct 2026
  •  
  • End
    28 Oct 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    ElderCollege Learning Centre
  • Spaces left
    16

  Join us for four sessions of lively but focused seminar-type presentations, where participants will be encouraged to consider and comment on newsworthy topics each week.

  The course leaders are Rod MacKinnon and Larry Weldon who both avidly follow current events in the news. Each week we will focus on six topics of interest varying from international, national and local levels. Topics will be emailed to registrants prior to each weekly session, so you can prepare for informed lively conversation.

  If you like to share your opinions and insights on what is happening in the wider world as well as closer to home, while staying up-to-date with matters affecting us all, then this is the course for you.

  Presenters:  Rod MacKinnon (Returning Presenter, Retired Lawyer) & Larry Weldon (Stanford Phd, Retired University Statistics Professor)
  

  4 Sessions, $45   Max class size, 16 

  Wednesdays, Oct 7, 14, 21 & 28th from 2:00 – 4:00

  Location:   ElderCollege Learning Centre

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• What a Tangled Web We Weave!

  • Start
    8 Oct 2026
  •  
  • End
    29 Oct 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    Refuge Church, 5300 44 Ave, Delta
  • Spaces left
    31

  Have you wondered why most European royal houses are related? This four-session course will explore how Queen Victoria’s matchmaking of her children, and the connections of her greater family created a network that influenced Europe’s history until today. Note:  Attendees are expected to do research or pre-readings and to share their findings.
  
  Presenter, Guillermo Bustos:  Retired Educator, Returning Presenter
  
  

  4 Sessions, $45.   Max class size, 30

  Thursdays, Oct 8, 15, 22 & 29th, 1:30 – 3:00

  Location: Refuge Church (formerly Cedar Park), 5300 44 Ave, Delta. In the Heritage Room

  Show details
• Japanism: West meets East: Japan’s Influence on Western art and culture.

  • When
    28 Oct 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
  • Location
    Refuge Church, 5300 44 Ave, Ladner
  • Spaces left
    40

  Art scholars claim that Impressionism and Modernism might not have happened if armed U.S. Navy ships had not sailed into Japan in 1853, and forced trade to open to the West. Artists were ready for a new way of seeing and Japan’s bright colors and odd perspectives freed them from rules and traditions. Soon, Japanese influence extended to architecture, gardening, fashion, and designs by Tiffany, Vuitton, and Hermes. If you look, you will see that Japanism continues today.

  Presenter, Linda Quigley:  Retired University Teacher of Art History, Artist & Returning Presenter
  

  1 Session, $15.  Max class size, 40

  Wednesday, Oct 28th, 2:00 – 3:30

  Location: Refuge Church, (formerly Cedar Park Church) 5300 44 Ave., Ladner

  
  

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• Countdown to Sanctuary Wood

  • When
    4 Nov 2026
  •  
    1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
  • Location
    ElderCollege Learning Centre
  • Spaces left
    31

  Presented by local filmmaker Cliff Caprani, this documentary traces the story of Sidney Rich, a member of one of Ladner's pioneer families, from the time of his enlistment in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1915, to his death at Sanctuary Wood in 1916. Follow Cliff and descendants of the Rich family, as they travel to Europe to retrace Sidney's last year of life, and better understand the experiences of young Canadian soldiers who fought in the Great War.  Conversation and questions are welcome after the film.
  
  

  Presenter, Cliff Caprani:  Documentary Filmmaker, Avid Traveller
  
  

  1 Session, $15.  Max class size, 30

  Wednesday, November 4th,  1:30 – 3:30

  Location: ElderCollege Learning Centre

  
  
  

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• Arctic Peoples and the Canadian North of Yesterday and Today

  • Start
    6 Nov 2026
  •  
  • End
    13 Nov 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    2 sessions
  • Location
    ElderCollege Learning Centre
  • Spaces left
    31

  The future of the Arctic is a topic often at the forefront of Canadian politics. Beyond Canadian sovereignty, are the people who live there and the enduring nature of this northern land. This two-part presentation will introduce you to a solid foundation about the Canadian Arctic and its peoples.  The first part will be a description of the peoples, their history, their culture and early contact experience.  The second part will be an examination of communities today, the present economy, arctic neighbours, and effects of climate change.
  
  

  Presenter, Loraine Littlefield:  PhD in Anthropology
  
  

  2 sessions, $25  Max class size, 30

  Fridays, November 6 & 13th  10:00 -  Noon

  Location: ElderCollege Learning Centre
  
  

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