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A Very Political Family

by Vera Kristiansen (nee Sharko)

297 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); contains B&W photos; catalogue #06-3161; ISBN 1-4251-1402-4; US$22.61, C$26.00, EUR18.57, £13.00

This book illuminates a series of scenes, sketches and reminiscences from the 20th century journey of three generations of what became a very political family.

About the Book

This book illuminates a series of scenes, sketches and reminiscences from the 20th century journey of three generations of what became a very political family.

The author, Vera Kristiansen (nee Sharko), grew up in a Russo-Ukrainian immigrant family on a homestead in the rural backwoods of northern Alberta. Struggling to resist the usual expectation for young girls in the area, she set out to acquire a career and to travel, until she met and married a young man from downtown Vancouver.

Finding herself an integral part of a three generation family of political activists, she quickly took her part alongside others. Both she and her husband, Lyle, went on to serve in elected office; she in Nelson, and he in Ottawa.

About the Author

Vera (Sharko) Kristiansen grew up in a Russo-Ukrainian immigrant family on a homestead in rural backwoods northern Alberta. With a Grade 10 formal education she worked her way through business college to become a legal secretary, working in Edmonton and later Vancouver.

Travelling became a passion and she hitchhiked through Europe in 1956. After she met and married a young man, Lyle Kristiansen, from downtown Vancouver, she became an integral part of a three generation political family. Political events became an important part of their lives, both in Vancouver and in Nelson and West Kootenay. She served one term on School Board in Nelson.

In 1980 her husband was elected Member of Parliament for Kootenay West, which took them to Ottawa, and many other parts of the world. Many of her stories include her three children, Eric, Haida and Colin, and their antics.

Excerpts