Myrna Kostash is a renowned Canadian author who has won numerous awards for her writing. She has written several books about her family’s history.

Kostash recently returned to St. Peter’s College, where she has participated in several writing retreats, to present her latest book, Ghosts in a Photograph.

In Ghosts in a Photograph, Kostash delves into the lives of her grandparents, who emigrated from Galicia (now Ukraine) to Alberta in the early 1900s. After discovering some old family belongings, she begins to question what she knows about her family’s history and which stories are passed down in Canada.

At the event, Kostash showed photos on a screen and explained what she thought they meant. Some details have faded over time, but others have become clearer through small hints in the photos and further research.

Kostash highlighted that her book is more than just a record of her family’s journey. The immigrant experience is shared by many, involving both their new home and where they came from. Moving to a new place and settling in, along with the challenges modern immigrant families face, are similar no matter where they come from.

Kostash says that she was able to write this book because she had photographs and documents as evidence. The event was free and open to everyone. It had a great turnout, and Kostash’s presentation was highly appreciated. She also answered questions from the audience. St. Peter’s English Professor Mark Doerksen also participated, attending with his class students.