Correction to the Memoirs of + Barry Hickey in the book titled My Spirit Land

 Dear Monsignor Hickey or Agent

Your Grace, I recently acquired a copy of your memoirs and congratulate you on a very fine work that I find engrossing and thrilling, especially since I have known you as a friend and employer, and being familiar with so many characters and locations you write about. Having written a handful of books myself I appreciate the mammoth task you have accomplished.

As one whose memories are not entirely reliable I appreciate that your memory of my time managing Centrecare Children's Cottages is innocently somewhat inaccurate. This is certainly not a criticism nor meant to impugn your fine work but should there be a reprint, perhaps consider the following suggested adjustments.

It is stated on pages 207 and 208 that I was employed to manage CCC for a year and that my successor, Don McAllister managed the whole concept of moving the children into various country cottages. This appears to attribute at least 18 months of my work to my successor. Briefly, the situation was as follows.

I began my employment at Wandering Mission in January, 1977. Around January, 1978, I managed the move of all children and staff to various cottages in various towns. I remained manager for the next 18 months until June, 1979. Recall that I had taken the novel step of hiring a Public Relations Officer, Ken Douglas, on a retainer and commission. The result of that was that CCC became the first such institution to become financially independent due to sponsorships and donations. After I resigned, Ken in fact was given the management role, not Don. This was temporary as Ken retired through ill health and the role was given to his lovely wife, Joy, for a time until Don was appointed. Thus, I managed Wandering and CCC for 2 and a half years from Jan.1977 to June, 1979. Don was not employed until late 1979 or early 1980.

Again, this is not a criticism but a correction of the record and I request that nothing be said or done about this correction UNLESS there is a reprint of your work in which you might consider updating.

I end by thanking you for the experience of my employ in working with Aboriginal children and for the privilege of your guidance and friendship.

May the Good Lord continue to look kindly on you and me both

John Namnik