{"id":7583,"date":"2020-04-29T12:32:57","date_gmt":"2020-04-29T16:32:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/?page_id=7583"},"modified":"2024-03-01T17:36:13","modified_gmt":"2024-03-01T22:36:13","slug":"verna-johnston-author-boarding-house","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/explore-learn\/indigenous-history-toronto-tour\/verna-johnston-author-boarding-house\/","title":{"rendered":"Verna Johnston Author Boarding House"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide page-hero has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-3 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignwide is-light is-style-cut-out-title hero-feature-image has-aspect-ratio\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;aspect-ratio:3\/2;min-height:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-contrast-background-color has-background-dim\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"517\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/7787pre_alt_3169_ffaab977fe9797f.jpg\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-post-image\" alt=\"Colour photo of a light brick house. It is three storeys. The front of the house is surrounded by an iron gate fence. There is a street light in front of the house and to the left is a tree. Directly to the left of the house is a brick complex of semi-detached townhouses. Directly to the right is a metal gate and a modern style building. In the background are more buildings and a blue slightly cloudy sky.\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"52% 59%\" style=\"object-position: 52% 59%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/7787pre_alt_3169_ffaab977fe9797f.jpg 517w, https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/7787pre_alt_3169_ffaab977fe9797f-300x279.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/7787pre_alt_3169_ffaab977fe9797f-150x139.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 517px) 100vw, 517px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\"><h1 style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);\" class=\"has-link-color has-text-color has-base-color has-page-colour wp-block-post-title has-x-large-font-size wp-elements-49a1b461f0be8edc41be0e65c8396e1c\">Verna Johnston Author Boarding House<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-2 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><div style=\"text-transform:capitalize;\" class=\"has-text-color has-contrast-color wp-block-wpseopress-breadcrumbs has-normal-font-size has-avenir-next-font-family wp-elements-97eea5c58fa95888cb2cec0397285b50\"><nav  aria-label=\"breadcrumb\"><ol class=\"breadcrumb\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BreadcrumbList\"><li class=\"breadcrumb-item active\" aria-current=\"page\" itemprop=\"itemListElement\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ListItem\"><span itemprop=\"name\">Home<\/span><meta itemprop=\"position\" content=\"1\"><\/li><\/ol><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group share-link is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p><strong>Share<\/strong> [addtoany]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide map-story-content is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" id=\"Content\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n    \n                                <div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\"> <div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide heritage-map has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div id=\"mapsvg-7659\" class=\"mapsvg\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n <div class=\"return-button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/explore-learn\/indigenous-history-toronto-tour\/#story-map-mapsvg\">\n\t\t\t  <div class=\"return-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/wp-content\/themes\/si-heritage\/assets\/HT-paging-left-white.png\" alt=\"Return\" width=\"65\" height=\"65\" hspace=\"0\" vspace=\"0\" border=\"0\">\n\t\t\t  <\/div>\n\t\t      <div class=\"return-button-text\">Return to Map<\/div>\n              <\/a>\n\t\t    <\/div>\n\n    <\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discovering the need for a community<\/span><\/h2><p><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column map-story-images-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide map-story-image map-story-image-0 is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class='wp-block-image alignwide size-large active'><img src='https:\/\/heritagetoronto.resourcespace.com\/filestore\/toronto\/7\/7\/8\/7_2d21b635e617e7c\/7787pre_alt_3169_ffaab977fe9797f.jpg' alt='Colour photo of a light brick house. It is three storeys. The front of the house is surrounded by an iron gate fence. There is a street light in front of the house and to the left is a tree. Directly to the left of the house is a brick complex of semi-detached townhouses. Directly to the right is a metal gate and a modern style building. In the background are more buildings and a blue slightly cloudy sky.'><\/figure>\n\n<p class='has-small-font-size'>59 McGill St., Former Ryerson student residence and Verna Johnston&#8217;s boarding house from 1972-1973. Heritage Toronto.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide map-story-image map-story-image-1 is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class='wp-block-image alignwide size-large'><img src='https:\/\/heritagetoronto.resourcespace.com\/filestore\/toronto\/7\/7\/7\/1_568c57baa181951\/7771pre_alt_3151_5f3b35388867771.jpg' alt='Colour photo of a white house with a grey roof and a red door. It has a small porch. There are a few large trees in the front yard. To either side are driveways. In front of the yard is a sidewalk and a road. Leaning against a tree is sign that reads &quot;Thank you! Frontline worker and everyone working hard to keep us safe!&quot; In the background behind the hosue is a cloudy sky.'><\/figure>\n\n<p class='has-small-font-size'>Verna Johnston&#8217;s indigenous youth boarding house from 1966-1972, 129 Blythwood Ave.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n                                    \n                                    <div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide heritage-story-content has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-11 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" >\n                            \n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide heritage-content-item is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Discovering the need for a community<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Verna Johnston was an Ojibwe woman from Neyaashiinigmiing reserve (Ontario) who started a boarding house for Indigenous youth in Toronto, having experienced herself the isolation of being Indigenous in the city. She had lived on the reserve her whole life until she separated from her alcoholic husband and moved to Toronto to work. She enjoyed independence but also missed being surrounded by her community like she had been on reserve. Eventually she moved back to Neyaashiinigmiing.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide heritage-content-item is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Returning to Toronto<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the 1960s, Verna\u2019s granddaughters resolved to move to Toronto for post-secondary education. They had never lived in the city before and Verna remembering her own estrangement went along with them. She made home-cooked meals and they talked through their days every night. Verna created a loving and safe environment so her girls could thrive at school.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide heritage-content-item is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">From home to boarding house<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A cousin of the granddaughters frequently visited and wanted to move in to enjoy the comforting atmosphere Verna had created. One weekend while Verna was away that cousin moved in! Without intending, the house had become a boarding house for Indigenous students. Soon she had up to 10 boarders at a time. She cooked, cleaned, counseled and cared for them all as though they were all her grandchildren. During her time at the McGill Street she also found the time to write &#8220;Tales of Nokomis&#8221; a retelling of the stories her grandmother told her.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide heritage-content-item last-item is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Establishing a community for future generations<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Besides running her boarding house and writing a book, she also volunteered at Anduhyaun House, Wigwamen Housing, the YMCA and the Red Cross in order to help Toronto&#8217;s Indigenous community. She taught Indigenous women how to make crafts so they could earn their own money and she gave talks across the province on Indigenous culture and history. She helped to create the community that she had needed.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n                                     \n                                    <\/div><\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                               \n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons back-to-map-button is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\">Back to map<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Share [addtoany] Return to Map Discovering the need for a community 59 McGill St., Former Ryerson student residence and Verna Johnston&#8217;s boarding house from 1972-1973. Heritage Toronto. Verna Johnston&#8217;s indigenous youth boarding house from 1966-1972, 129 Blythwood Ave. Discovering the need for a community Verna Johnston was an Ojibwe woman from Neyaashiinigmiing reserve (Ontario) who started a boarding house for Indigenous youth in Toronto, having experienced herself the isolation of being Indigenous in the city. She had lived on the reserve her whole life until she separated from her alcoholic husband and moved to Toronto to work. She enjoyed independence but also missed being surrounded by her community like she had been on reserve. Eventually she moved back to Neyaashiinigmiing. Returning to Toronto In the 1960s, Verna\u2019s granddaughters resolved to move to Toronto for post-secondary education. They had never lived in the city before and Verna remembering her own estrangement went along with them. She made home-cooked meals and they talked through their days every night. Verna created a loving and safe environment so her girls could thrive at school. From home to boarding house A cousin of the granddaughters frequently visited and wanted to move in to enjoy the comforting atmosphere Verna had created. One weekend while Verna was away that cousin moved in! Without intending, the house had become a boarding house for Indigenous students. Soon she had up to 10 boarders at a time. She cooked, cleaned, counseled and cared for them all as though they were all her grandchildren. During her time at the McGill Street she also found the time to write &#8220;Tales of Nokomis&#8221; a retelling of the stories her grandmother told her.\u00a0 Establishing a community for future generations Besides running her boarding house and writing a book, she also volunteered at Anduhyaun House, Wigwamen Housing, the YMCA and the Red Cross in order to help Toronto&#8217;s Indigenous community. She taught Indigenous women how to make crafts so they could earn their own money and she gave talks across the province on Indigenous culture and history. She helped to create the community that she had needed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":36354,"parent":7263,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"content-type":[230],"conversion-type":[244],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7583"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7583"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7583\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36357,"href":"https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7583\/revisions\/36357"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7263"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36354"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7583"},{"taxonomy":"content-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-type?post=7583"},{"taxonomy":"conversion-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.heritagetoronto.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/conversion-type?post=7583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}