The Optimist, Wednesday June 3 1998

Lana Quinn Performs at Baha'i Convention

Lana Quinn of North Battleford was one of the performing artists featured at the national convention of the Baha'is of Canada May 14-18 in Montreal. She sang pieces from her CD One Step Away, a collection of devotional music from the Baha'i sacred writings, which she has rendered in the Celtic Revival style.

There were more than 1,000 delegates and observers from across Canada in attendance, including her husband, Brian Quinn, who was the delegate from the Battlefords area. The occasion marked the 100th anniversary of the found of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Canada, an elected council that guides the Baha'i national community.

There are more than 20,000 Baha'is in Canada, with members from every province and territory. Canadians of aboriginal background comprise 15 per cent of the community and another 20 per cent are Iranian immigrants and refugees, with the remaining 65 percent from a cross section of Canadian society.

Six million Baha'is throught the world follow the teachings of the Baha'u'llah (1817-1892), whose message revolves around the concept of unity. He taught there is only one God, there is only one human race, and the world's religions represent stages in the revelation of God's will and purpose for humanity. He said, "The earth is one country, and mankind its citizens."

The local Baha'i community in North Battleford is made up of approximately a dozen adults, and a dozen children and youth. "The central focus of our community," says Lana Quinn, "is the spiritual education of children and youth. We are especially interested in the use of the arts in moral development and community building."

Since there are no clergy in the Baha'i Faith, its community life is governed by elected councils of nine members called "Spiritual Assemblies". Recently the Baha'is of North Battleford re-elected their Spiritual Assembly. The officers are: Jill Marchand, chair; Fraser Glen, treasurer; Bonnie Smith, secretary; and Brian Quinn, vice-chairman.