SELKIRK MUSEUM - Key Persons

Allan Sinclair

AllanSinclairwasbornonOctober15,1920toGarnetandElizabethSinclair.HissiblingswereRubyandJohnSinclair.HisearlyyearswerespentatNorwayHousebeforemovingtoDufferinAvenueinSelkirkattheageoffour.Whenhewasten,hismotherpassedaway,andhissister,Rubytookonthetaskofraisingherbrothers,aswellasherowndaughter,Doreen.Hischildhoodwasfulloframbunctiousactivities,andhisabilitytodiveintohelpcamewhenonedayherescuedafamilywho'scarhadrolledintotheRiver.

Alphonse Langlois

AlphonseLangloiswasborninTerrebonne,Quebecin1844.HemarriedaFrenchArcadianwoman,MarieCartier,fromNewBrunswick.ThelargefamilymovedfromQuebectoNovaScotiabeforerelocatingtoCrookston,Minnesotain1860.SeveralyearslatertheytravelleddowntheRedRiverin1884onarafttoSt.LaurentwherePeterLangloiswasbornin1888.AlphonsewasaboatbuilderwhotaughtPeterhistrade.

Amy Clemons

Job Titles:
  • C1970, Selkirk Friendship Centre
  • Meeting Governor General, 1973, Red River North Heritage
  • People
Amy'scallingwascreatingfriendshipsandfacilitatingaspaceforeveryonetohavetheirneedsmet.Shespentafulllifedoingjustthat,drivingtheFriendshipCentreMovement,helpingwomenandyouth,speakingupaboutprejudice,andsettingafoundationthathasbeenbuiltonsince. AmypassedawayonSeptember14,1989,andisburiedintheSt.PetersChurchyardCemetery AmyClemons,thegreat-greatgranddaughterofChiefPeguiswasborninSt.Peters,in1906.SheattendedElkhornResidentialSchoolforfiveyearsofhereducation."Mypeopledidn'twanttoletmegoawaytoschoolbutIthoughtIwouldlikegoingtoaresidentialschoolandIreallydidenjoymyyearsthere"-AmyClemons.Aftercompletingschoolupuntilgradeeleven,shebegantoworkinMissionschoolsandhospitals.AmyworkedatDynevorIndianHospitalbeforemovingtoWinnipegtoworkattheWinnipegFriendshipCentre.Shespentsixyearsthereasacommunityworker.Additionally,shebecamethepresidentoftheLadiesAidOrganization. WhenAmyreturnedtoSelkirkin1968,shetookupthepositionofExecutiveDirectorattheSelkirkFriendshipCentre,replacingEdStonechild.HerexperienceinWinnipegmadehertheperfectfit,andshequicklybecamethemomentumbehindtheFriendshipCentremovementinSelkirk. Amywasan‘ardentworker'andstrovetoprovideaplacewherepeoplecouldgather.TheFriendshipCentrefacilitatedaplaceforpeopletospeaktoothersintheirownlanguage,receiveadvice,orassistantfindinghomesandjobs."Themostimportantthingofallisfriendship.Tobeabletohelpmypeoplewhentheyneeditiswhatreallycounts"-AmyClemons. AmyspokeCreeandarrangedlessonsintheCreelanguageeverySundayfollowedbyFiresideHourandfilms.In1970,AmystarredinaCBCfilm,"DeathofaNobody."ThefilmwasaboutanIndigenousboywhowasmurderedandnothingwasdoneaboutit.ShearrangedashowingofthefilminSelkirktoaddressprejudice. AmyorganizedtheTeenClubwhichparticipatedinprojectssuchascampingfortheweekendtocleanupSt.Peter'sOldStoneChurch.AsorganistattheSt.PetersDynevorChurchAmyspentalotoftimethere.ShewasthePresidentoftheWomen'sAuxiliaryandreceivedlifemembershipin1953. TheFriendshipCentreheldWalkathonsfromWinnipegBeachtoSelkirk,andlater,anotherfromWinnipegtoSelkirk.Nomattertheactivity,Amywasalwaysinvolved.At63yearsoldshewastheoldestparticipantattheWalkathon,andshecompletedtheentiredistance. In1972,AmywasmadeanhonorarycitizenofSelkirkandgiventheCommunityServiceAwardbyMayorFrankMalis.AsurprisepartywasorganizedtorecognizehercommunityservicecontributionsinSelkirk.250peopleattended,whichwas100morethanthehallhadcapacitytohold.Somehow,theyallfit,andnoonewasturnedawaywithoutameal. Whenpresentingtheaward,FrankMalissaid,"Ihavenevermetanyindividualwhoknows,loves,andhasgainedtherespectofmorepersonsthanMrs.Clemons.Withoutherleadershipanddedicatedwork,theFriendshipCentreMovementwouldnotbeasstrongasitis.Sheisrespectedbylocalclubsandorganizationsaswellasgovernmentbodies." Amyreceivedgifts,aplaqueengravedwithatributetoher,andadress,beadwork,amedallionbelt,andseveralaccessoriesinherchoiceofcolouranddesign,tobehandmadebyMrs.DorothyFrancisinSaskatchewan.Thiswasagiftshehadalwayswanted. OneyearlatershewasinductedintotheOrderofCanadaforher‘devotedsocialworkandleadershipinIndianMétissocietiesinManitoba.'GovernorGeneralRolandMichenerpresentedthehonour.1973alsomarkedherretirementasExecutiveDirectoroftheSelkirkFriendshipCentre.In1977,AmyreceivedtheQueenElizabethIISilverJubileeMedal. FindingherPassionAmyClemons,thegreat-greatgranddaughterofChiefPeguiswasborninSt.Peters,in1906.SheattendedElkhornResidentialSchoolforfiveyearsofhereducation."Mypeopledidn'twanttoletmegoawaytoschoolbutIthoughtIwouldlikegoingtoaresidentialschoolandIreallydid…

Andrew Carnegie

AndrewCarnegie,theAmericanindustrialistturnedphilanthropist,fundedtheconstructionofmorethan2,500librariesaroundtheworldbetween1898and1918.Selkirk'stowncouncilandliteraryassociationwouldhavebeenquitefamiliarwiththesegrants,asWinnipegbuiltitscentrallibraryonWilliamAvenuein1904-1905usingCarnegie'smoney. TherewerefourCarnegielibrariesinManitoba.Winnipeg'sCentralLibrary,whichopenedin1905andwasexpandedwithanotherCarnegiegrantaround1908.Winnipeg'sSt.John'sLibrary(1915)andCornishLibrary(1915)werealsoCarnegiefunded. Thoughgenerous,Carnegie'sgrantscamewithconditions.Hepaidfortheconstructioncosts,butthegrantrecipientwasresponsibleforfindingalocationandgettingthestructurebuilt.Italsohadtocommittofundthelibrary'sannualoperatingcostandensurethatthefacilitywas‘freetoall',meaningthattherewouldbenoentrance,membership,orcheck-outfees. ItisunclearifitwasthetowncouncilortheliteraryassociationthatmadetheapplicationtoCarnegie'sfoundation,butitwasannouncedonJanuary15,1908thatCarnegiehadoffereda$10,000granttowardstheconstructionofalibrary.Councilagreedtoaccepttheofferandpledgedtospentupto$1,000annuallytorunit.

Barnard House

Job Titles:
  • Places
Frederick(Fred)CharlesBarnardwasborninEnglandin1883andmovedtoSelkirkaround1908.AnnieHarrisWilsonwasborninCanterbury,EnglandandcametoCanadaaroundthesametime,butshelivedinMontrealandWinnipeg. FredandAnniemarriedinWinnipeginJuneof1923andsoonafterrelocatedtoSelkirk.Theyhadfourchildren:Charles,Gerald,Yole(Helgi)andElaine.Theyalllivedinthehouseat202ChristieAvenue.Onereferencetothehouseinanearlynewspaperarticleclaimsthatitwasbuiltin1915fortheBarnardfamily.

Bill Shead

Job Titles:
  • Mayor
  • People
BillSheadwasbornin1939intheoldSelkirkGeneralHospitalonIdellAvenue.Hewastheeldestofsevensiblings.TheirparentsHarryandRuth(neeAsham)instilledthemwithprideintheirCreeancestryandidentity.Bill'sfather,andfourotherfamilymembersservedintheNavyduringWWII.TheyandBill'ssummerexperienceasa13-year-oldCanteenBoyaboardtheS.S.KeenorasailingLakeWinnipegfueledBill'sambitionstobeanavalofficer. BilljoinedBoyScouts,andlaterSeaCadets.In1952hewasoneofthefirstQueenScoutsinManitoba.HewasamemberrifleteamofthelocalSeaCadetCorp,RCSCCDaerwood,thattwicewontheHuntMemorialTrophyasthebestrifleteamintheDominionofCanada.Later,whileatCMR,hewastheCollegeMarksman-thebestmarksmanatthecollege.

Blair Gunter

BlairGunterwasbornNovember29,1916andwastheeldestofthefiveGunterswhoserved.WhenhisdadpassedawayBlairsteppeduptohelphismomraisehisbrothersandsisters.BlairworkedasacraneoperatorandhelpedbuildoneofSelkirk'sstaplelandmarks,SelkirkLiftBridge.HeeventuallyenlistedwiththemilitaryandjoinedtheFortGarryHorseArmouredRegiment.

Bud Oliver

Job Titles:
  • Bill Shead Congratulates New Mayor
  • People
BudOliverwithHisFather,andFormerMayor,SteveOliver,1983,SelkirkEnterprise Robert"Bud"StefanOliverwasSelkirk'slongestservingmayorfrom1984-2002.BudwasbornonJuly16,1937,intheoldSelkirkGeneralHospitalonIdellAvenueandhassincelivedalmosthisentirelifeintown.BudhasmemoriesofbeinginvolvedwithmanylargedevelopmentsandeventsinSelkirkovertheyears.Bud's… In1962,BudjoinedtheKinsmenClubandremainedactivewiththegroupfor20years.Hewasmadealifememberin1975,andwhilehehadlesstimetodevotetotheKinsmen,heneverstoppedbeingone.

Captain William Robinson

CaptainWilliamRobinsoncontinuedtobealargefunder.In1903,hecontributed$400toexpanditsbookcollectionanddonatedthefurnitureforthereadingroom.A1906FreePressarticlenotedthat"…CaptainRobinsonhadbeenspokenofasthefatherofthepubliclibrary,andcertainlyitistruethatithasprofitedmuchbyhisbeneficence.".

Cece Pooles - President

Job Titles:
  • President

Christian Cassidy

Job Titles:
  • Author

Chuck Norquay

Job Titles:
  • People
ChuckwasbornonNovember10th,1955.Hewasagenuine,outgoing,people-lovingperson,whohadaninfectiouspassionforfishing.Thispassionultimatelyledhimtosinglehandedlysecurethetitle,"CatfishCapitalofNorthAmerica"forhishometown,Selkirk,Manitoba.Inhisearlyteenageyears,Chucklefthishometolivewithhisbest… Fromtheleft:Chuck,ItaloLabignanandHenryWaszczukfromCanadianSportFishing,andLaryFiddler,DateUnknown,SusanSprong

Daan Hengeveld

Job Titles:
  • Business Partner

Darlene Swiderski

Job Titles:
  • Mayor Advertisement, October
  • People
DarleneSwiderskiisoneofSelkirk'selectedCityCouncillorsandSelkirk'sfirstelectedFirstNationswomancouncillor. Darlene'sstartincommunityworkbeganwhenshestartedworkingatSafewayin1974.SheenjoyedthatthejoballowedhertomeetandconnectwiththepeopleinSelkirk.Sheworkedtherefor27yearsuntil2002.

Dorothea Ewald MacDonald

DorotheaEwaldMacDonald,ofGuelph,Ontario,marriedonFebruary24th,1914inCalgary,Alberta.Theirfirstson,WilliamFrederickwasbornonApril9th,1915,inCleveland,OhiowhileDorotheawasvisitinghersister.AfterWilliam'sbirthin1915,cameJohnRussell"Jack"in1917,HughClydein1919,Macdonald"Donald"Stuartin1920,andHelenMaryin1925.

Dr. David Young

Job Titles:
  • Doctor
  • People
Dr.DavidYoungdiedonOctober16th,1913.HisgraveisatLittleBritainCemetery.AplaquecommemorateshimatLowerFortGarry,andbytheReceptionBuildingattheSelkirkMentalHealthCentre,namedtheDr.DavidYoungBuildingin2009.YoungAvenueinSelkirkisalsonamedafterhim. EarlyCareerDr.DavidYoungwasborninSarnia,OntarioonFebruary18th,1847.HegraduatedwithamedicaldegreefromQueensUniversityin1871.Shortlyaftercompletinghisdegree,hisbrother,PeterYoung,influencedhimtomovetoSt.Andrews.Oneyearlater,hemarriedRosinaArabellaSomervillefromQuebec.Theyraisedfivechildren… Dr.DavidYoungwasborninSarnia,OntarioonFebruary18th,1847.HegraduatedwithamedicaldegreefromQueensUniversityin1871.Shortlyaftercompletinghisdegree,hisbrother,PeterYoung,influencedhimtomovetoSt.Andrews.Oneyearlater,hemarriedRosinaArabellaSomervillefromQuebec.Theyraisedfivechildrentogetherintheirhome,HawthorneLodge,onthebanksoftheRedRiver.AHudson'sBayCompanyretiree,JohnEdwardHarriotbuiltandfurnishedHawthornelodge.ItwasthehomeofManitoba'sfirstpremier,AlfredBoyduntil1871. Dr.YoungwasfamouslyknowntohavethefinestteamofhorsesintheLockportarea.Foryears,neighbourscouldheartheclatteringofcarriagewheelscrossingthewoodenbridgenearhishouseonhiswaytowork. Dr.YoungbeganpracticingmedicineattheManitobaPenitentiaryatLowerFortGarry.Atthetimementallyillpatientsandprisonerswerekepttogetherinthesamespace.Dr.Young'smedicaldegreewasnotspecificallyinpsychiatricmedicine,butitwasherethathegainedtheexperienceheneededtolaterruntheManitobaAsyluminSelkirk.

Dr. H. C. Norquay

Job Titles:
  • 1st VP: Edwin Millidge / 2nd VP: J. Moody

Dr. Harry Gibbs

Dr.HarryGibbswithhissonWillard,c1915,AMagicalPlace,HughGibbs HarrybecameMayorin1922andfrom1926-27.HishomewouldlaterbeconvertedtotheArmy,NavyandAirForceclubrooms.HewastheschoolBoardchairmaninthe1930sandwashonoraryco-chairmanoftheSelkirkandDistrictWarMemorialFund.Harryretiredin1948anddiedin1952. GibbsDrugsisthoughttohavespent93yearsonManitobaAvenuewithatotalof100yearsinbusiness. WalterHenryGabrielGibbs,knownasHarry,wasbornin1872.HetrainedtobeapharmacistandapprenticedunderR.H.Gilhuly,whofoundedSelkirk'sfirstdrugstore.HarrybuiltGibbsDrugStorein1897andranitforfourteenyears.WhenHarry'shalf-brother,Frederickcompletedhisownpharmacyeducation,HarrylefttopursueamedicaldegreeatHamlineUniversityinMinneapolis.FrederickcontinuedtorunGibbsDrugsfrom1911untilhisretirementin1952. AftercompletinghisdegreeHarryjoinedtheRoyalCanadianArmyMedicalCorpsandwasstationedtooneofthefront-linemedicalstationsinFranceduringWorldWarI.Followingthewar,hereturnedtoSelkirktobecomeofthetown'stwodoctors.Hehadalonganddistinguished30-yearcareerprovidingmedicalservicestoresidentsofSelkirkandthesurroundingarea,aswellasinthenorth.

Ed Stonechild

Job Titles:
  • Executive Director

Ellie Longbottom

Job Titles:
  • Author

Elsie Bear

Job Titles:
  • People
ElsiehadgreatprideinbeingMétis,"Youhavetobeproudofwhatyouare."-ElsieBear.Whenaskedwhyshechosenottojoinherhusband'sFirstNationwhentheymarried,shereplied,"IwasbornaMétisandIwilldieaMétis."Elsiewasoneofakindandiswellrememberedforherdedicationtoimprovingthelivesofwomen,children,Métis,andthoseinneed. Elsie(Hourie)BearwasbornonDecember13,1921,intoaMétisfamilyandcommunityofGrandMarais.Herfather,PeterHouriewasaMétismanfromMatlockwhofoundworkasafishermanandcuttingcordwood.Hermother,MarywasalsoMétisandcarriedonthefamilyworkofmidwifery.TogetherwithElsie'sgrandmother,theydeliveredhundredsofbabiesinthesurroundingareas. Livinginamixedfamilyof4Knottsand6Houries,ElsiewastheeldestoftheHouries,butthemiddlechildofalltensiblings.Thefamilylivedinamodestcabinwithonelargeroomandakitchenbuiltontotheside.Inthebackyardtheyhadawell,butnorunningwater,plumbedheat,electricity,ortelephones.Withabustling,busyhome,Elsieoftenwentnextdoortolivewithhergrandparents.Shespenthertimedoingchores,soapmaking,sewing,milkingcows,cooking,andlookingaftertheyoungerchildren.SheattendedthelocalschoolinGrandMaraisupuntilgrade8whenherfatherbecameill,andsheleftforajobtosupportherfamily.

Emma Shaw

EmmaShawColcleughwasbornonSeptember3,1846,inThompson,Connecticut.ShewasthesecondchildofGeorgeW.andAbbeyShaw.Emmastartedhercareerasaschoolteacherincountryschoolsin1862. In1881,at35,Emmaactedonherdreamsofbecomingatraveller,anthropologist,correspondent,andliteraryscholar.Thecodesofhertimemadeithardforwomentohavecareersinanythingotherthanteaching,nursing,orhousekeeping. Emmahadaforcefulpersonality,withhighspirits,goodhealth,andasenseofhumour.Thesetraitshelpedhertoflourishandbecomewell-respectedinamale-dominatedfield.Assheventuredintotheunknown,Emmawroteaboutandcollectedartifactsfromtheplacesandcommunitiesshevisited.Shewrotetravelarticles,whichwerepublishedinnewspapersinternationally(despitetheobstaclesofbeingawomaninherfield). Eventually,EmmafoundherselfinManitoba,Canada,whereshelecturedabouthertravels.There,shemetFrederickWilliamColcleugh,aformermemberoftheManitobaProvincialParliamentandMayorofSelkirk(1886-1888).Theymarriedin1893.

Frederick (Fred) Charles Barnard

Frederick(Fred)CharlesBarnardwasborninEnglandin1883andmovedtoSelkirkaround1908.AnnieHarrisWilsonwasborninCanterbury,EnglandandcametoCanadaaroundthesametime,butshelivedinMontrealandWinnipeg. FredandAnniemarriedinWinnipeginJuneof1923andsoonafterrelocatedtoSelkirk.Theyhadfourchildren:Charles,Gerald,Yole(Helgi)andElaine.Theyalllivedinthehouseat202ChristieAvenue.Onereferencetothehouseinanearlynewspaperarticleclaimsthatitwasbuiltin1915fortheBarnardfamily.

Gordon Howard

GordonHowardcametobesynonymouswiththehealthandrecreationofseniorsandretireesinthearea.Theworkofthecommittee,volunteers,andmanyothersallowedhisvisionofkeepingretireesactiveinthecommunitycertainlycametobe.TheGordonHowardSeniorCentrecontinuestoprovideseniorcitizenswiththemuch-neededservices,activities,andprogramsthatallowthemtolivelifeindependently-somethingwhichislifechanging. GordonHowardwasthedrivingforcebehindathrivingsenior'scentreinSelkirk.Inthelatteryearsofhislife,Gordonfocusedhisenergytowardsimprovingthequalityoflifeofseniorcitizens.Hisphilosophywasthat"seniorcitizensshouldnotconformtothestereotypicalimageofbeingold,wornout,anduselessthatwesternsocietytendstoimposeonthem."Asalong-timememberoftheSeniorCitizensClubinSelkirkheworkedhardtowardshisgoal.Heorganizedweeklyactivities,trips,andspecialevents,andgavenumerousspeechestolocalorganizationsforhelpinestablishingadrop-incentreforseniors.Headvocatedthatseniorcitizensshouldhaveavalidplaceinsociety,andamuchfullerandricherlifestyle. GordonHowardSeniorCentreOpensonVaughanAvenue.Mrs.HowardisintheCenter,1979,SelkirkEnterpriseCentennialEdition,1982 GordonHoward,DateUnknown,"StoriesofSelkirk'sPioneersandTheirHeritage,"KennethG.Howard Duringhislifetime,GordonHowardbelongedtotheRotaryClubandtheIndependentOrderofOddFellows.TheseconnectionswouldlaterdonatetotheGordonHowardSeniorCentreevenafterGordonhadpassed,whichmarkedstrongcommunityconnectionandsupport.

Harold Little

HaroldLittlewasthebrotherofBillLittle,CharlesTetroeandFrankTetroe.HaroldwasaD-DayveteranthatservedwiththeFortGarryHorseasaLanceCorporal.Haroldpilotedaswimmingtankthatwasapartofthe"C"Squadron. Harold'sTankencounteredadisabledtankblockinghispathonthebeachafterlanding.Hiscommandingofficerorderedhimaroundthedisabledtank.Haroldmovedthetankaccordingtohisordersandtriggedalandmine.Theexplosionresultedinhimlosinganeyeanddisablinghistank.WhenHaroldlefthistank,hesawawoundedsoldierlayingnearbyunabletowalk.HaroldhoistedthesoldierupandcarriedhimtoaboatthatwasawaitinginjuredCanadians.Haroldwashospitalizedforfivemonthsafterhisinjury.AfterHarold'shospitalizationhewasreunitedwithhisunitinNijmegen,BelgiumwheretheykeptadvancingthroughEuropeintoGermanyuntilthewar'sendonMay8,1945.

Harold Newton

Job Titles:
  • People
HaroldW.NewtonimmigratedtoSelkirkfromLincolnshirewherehetookupworkastheFarmSuperintendentattheManitobaAsylum(nowSelkirkMentalHealthCentre).Hewasoneofsixmenwholivedinahomecalled"BachelorHall"untilhemarriedEdithHayward.ThetwometatClandeboyebutsharedtheirBritishheritage.Togetherthey…

Harold Starr

Job Titles:
  • Department: Royal Canadian Air Force

Harry W. Nelson

Job Titles:
  • 1st VP: D. S. Ried / 2nd VP: L. S. Vaughan
HarryNelsonwasastonemasonfromEastSelkirkwhoissaidtohavecraftedthefirstrocksusedbytheclub.NelsonisoftencreditedwithbeingthefirstpresidentoftheSelkirkCurlingClub.ThoughhehadahugeimpactduringtheformativeyearsofcurlinginSelkirk,thehonourofbeingthecurlingclub'sfirstpresidentlikelygoestoLaToucheTupper.

J. A. Sutherland

Job Titles:
  • Chaplain

J. J. Erskine

Job Titles:
  • 1st VP: M. Sutherland / 2nd VP: W. S. Young

Jack Norquay

JackNorquaywasbornonMay14,1923.HemarriedMildredRileyonJuly7,1942.

Jim Sinclair

Job Titles:
  • Executive Director, 1992, Selkirk Friendship Centre Booklet, "25 Years of Bringing People Together"
TheCentreoperatedoutof446MainStreetforfouryears.Afterthis,theorganizationmovedtothreedifferentfacilitiesinthreeyears.JimSinclairremarked,"eachsucceedingbuildingseemedtobeworsethantheonebeforeit."Onesubsequentlocationwasinacommercialgarage.Staffandvisitorsoftenbecamesickthebecausetheventilationwascirculatingcarexhaust.AdedicatedbuildingfortheCentrewasdesperatelyneeded.Thechallengeswereeverpresent,buttheCentrecontinuedtoofferitsmuch-neededprogramsandservices.

Jock Langlois

Job Titles:
  • Family Research
Dad,JockLanglois,inGreeceCameacrossaGreekPhotographerHidingintheCactuswithaPolaroidBoxCamera.HeMadeaTradeforaPhotographwithSomeCigarettes,DateUnknown,JockLanglois SomeoftheLangloisBoysonLeaveforaHomeVisit,DateUnknown,JockLanglois

John (Jock) MacDonald

John(Jock)MacDonald,immigratedfromScotlandonastolentwo-masteredketchwitheightotherScottishboys.HemetandmarriedaCreewoman,CatherineThomasfromSelkirk.Theyhadthreechildren,Kate,Jessi,andJohn(Jock).

John Veitch - Chairman

Job Titles:
  • Company Chairman
CompanychairmanJohnVeitchandcurlingclubpresidentCecePooleswelcomedthecrowdwhocametotourthefacility.MayorBenMasseythrewtheceremonialfirstrock.LaterthatdaytherewasanexhibitiongamebetweenJohnDavidLyon,thereigningManitobaMen'scurlingchampion;andBruceHudson,theWinnipegchamp.

Katrina Eeles

Job Titles:
  • Author

Kayla Parke-Wilson

Job Titles:
  • Author

L. S. Vaughan

Job Titles:
  • 1st VP: F. C. Elliot / 2nd VP: B. Smith

Mel Bedard

Job Titles:
  • People
Thefamousfiddler,Melvin(Mel)JosephCliffordBedard,wasbornonFebruary8th,1929.Mel'smothercamefromLittleBlackRiverIndianReservation,nowBlackRiverFirstNationandhisfathercamefromQuebec,justnorthofMontreal.TheymigratedtoSelkirkin1899whereMelwasborn. WhenMelwasfive,thefamilymovedtotheCentralManitobaGoldMineforafewyearswhilehisfatherworked.Hisfather,wantingtotryhishandathomesteadingthenmovedthefamilybacktoLittleBlackRiver.However,therewasnoschoolforthechildrentoattendsohomesteadingwasshortlived.ThefamilymovedbacktoSelkirkin1941. MusicwasalwaysinthebackgroundoftheBedardfamily.Mel'sunclehadpassedonafiddlewhichhisfatherplayedafewtimes.Melgrewuphearingfiddlemusicatdancesandevents,aswellasinthehomeashisfathercouldplayafewtunes.Later,whenthecommunityreceivedaradio,Melwouldoftenhearthewell-knownfiddler,andlatergoodfriend,AndydeJarlis,playonair.Atschool,musicwasrequired,whichturnedouttobeMel'sbestsubject.Hestartedplayingguitaratage14,butalwayslovedthesoundofthefiddle. ShortlyafterthemovebacktoSelkirk,Mel'sfather'shealthdeclined.Mel'solderbrotherleftschoolat12yearsoldtowork.Melremainedinschooluntilage15,whenhetoofoundworktosupportthefamily.Heworkedinroadconstruction,andthenasalumberjackaroundThunderBay.Later,heleftSelkirkforaloggingjobinBritishColumbiaalongthecoast.HereturnedtoSelkirkin1950,afewweeksbeforehis21stbirthdayandfoundworkasadredgemasterinthePublicWorksDepartmentfortheFederalGovernment.Thejobwasintendedtobetemporary,butitturnedintoa37-yearcareer.

Paul Henrikson

PaulHenriksonwasbornDecember6,1924. DufferinAvenueinthe1940'swasaveryclose-knitstreet.Theresidenceoftheblockheldaclosecompanionshipwithoneanother.WhenenlistmentrateswerehightherewasapositivepeerpressuretoenlistonDufferinAvenue.PaulHenriksonatthetimewasauniversitystudentstudyingpre-med.WhenPaulsawhisfriendsandbrotherenlistingintothemilitaryhewantedtogotoo.Unfortunately,atthetimethemilitarywantedallstudentstostayinschoolinsteadofenlisting.Hisfirstfewattemptstoenlistweredenied.Pauleventuallytoldtherecruitmentofficerthathewasgoingtoenlist,anduniversitycouldwait.Hewasthenacceptedintothemilitary.

Peter Grabowski

PeterGrabowskiwasbornonDecember31,1914inPoland.Sadly,hisfatherdiedyoungandhismotherwasleftwithtwoyoungchildren.Duetothistragedy,Peterhadnochoicebuttobeginworkingandwastrainedasameatcutter.Attheageof23,heenlistedinthePolishArmy. Eventually,PeterwascapturedbytheNazi'sasaPrisonerofWarandwassenttoaforcedlabourcamp.Theconditionsatthecampwereawful.Duringthesummers,theysleptunderthestars,survivedonadietofspinach,wereunabletowashthemselves,andwereonlygivenonesetofclotheswhichtheyalsocouldnotwash.Inthewinter,theprisonerswereprovidedtents,butmanyfrozetodeathorcaughttyphus.Peterbelieveditwasdivineinterventionthatsavedhimfromthetyphusoutbreak. Thankfully,PetermanagedtomakeittoArmisticeandwastakentoarefugeecamptoreceivenutritionandmedicaltreatment.

Raymond Fiddler

Job Titles:
  • Department: Royal Canadian Air Force
RaymondFiddlerwasthesonofRoderickFiddler.HewasbornatLittleBullheadthatisnowknownasPinedock,Manitobain1925. RaymondwasamemberoftheRoyalCanadianAirForce.ThewarcametoanendbeforeRaymond'strainingwascomplete.

Rev. F. R. Richardson

Job Titles:
  • Chaplain

Rev. W. L. Findlay

Job Titles:
  • Chaplain

Richard Gilhuly

Job Titles:
  • People
RichardHenryGilhulyisbestknownbythecommunityastheownerofGilhuly'sDrugStore. HewasborninCarletonPlace,Ontarioin1857,andmovedtoSelkirkinhismid-twenties.Tobeginhiscareer,hetookajobin1881asanassistantinJamesColcleugh'sstoreonEvelineStreet.Shortlyafterwardsin1885,hepurchasedthestorefromColcleughandrenameditGilhuly'sDrugStore.UndertheGilhulyfamily'sownership,thestoreranforalmostacentury.ThesuccessofhisbusinessmaybeinparttoGilhuly's‘modernandwell-appointedstore',theimpressivelystockedshelves,andhisstrongattentiontodetail.

Richard Johnstone

Job Titles:
  • Department: Queen 's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada
BornSeptember9,1901Richardwaswell-knownforhiswarmth,thoughtfulnessandcareheexpressedforothers.DuringtheGreatDepressionRichard'sgoodnaturewasappreciatedbyallpeoplearoundhim,ashewouldhelphisneighboursandfamilymembersanywayhecould.Anexampleofhiskindgestureswaswhenoneofhisneighbourspassedaway,leavingbehindawifeandkids.Seeingtheminneed,Richardcutwoodtokeeptheirhomewarm. RichardmarriedawomannamedFannyonDecember10,1932.TheyhadthreechildrenMargaret,Betty,andElsie.Heworkedasaground'skeeperandlabourerattheSelkirkGolfCoursebeforeheenlistedwiththemilitary.

Robert Smith

Job Titles:
  • People
RobertSmithwasborninCoatbridge,ScotlandonJuly1,1880.Asayoungman,Smithenteredthesteelindustry,startingattheUnitedStatesSteelCorporationinErie,Pennsylvania.HethenmovedtoSelkirkin1922wherehebecametheGeneralManageroftheManitobaRollingMills.DuringhisyearsintheUnitedStates,Robertandhiswifehadtwochildren,HughLindsaySmith,andMarjoryJeanFotheringham(Smith).WhileinSelkirk,SmithwouldgoontobecomethefirstVicePresidentoftheSelkirkGeneralHospitalBoardin1928andChairmanoftheVictoryLoanDrivein1942.HewasMayorfrom1936-1937. RobertSmithwasamanagerlikenoneother."Hewastheplant.Hewasmanagement…theboss.Buthewasalsoaverygoodfriend."Smithwasknowntoofferdomestic,financial,andalltypesofhelptohisemployeesandcoworkers.RobertSmith'ssympathyandgenerositywasastrikingcontrastduringthetryingtimesoftheGreatDepression.Hefrequentlysentfoodhampers,paidforlightbills,providedfuel,purchasedworkbootsforthosewhocouldn'taffordthem,andevenensuredallofhismenhadagoodChristmas. Toillustratefurther,theassistanceforplantworkerslastedlongaftertheiremploymentended.RobertSmithensuredthatretiredworkershadwhattheyneededbeforepensionplansbecamecommon.Thishelpwasoftenintheformofmoney,food,orfuel.Intheunfortunateeventofafuneral,Smithcoveredthecosts,ensuringthatthefamiliescouldgrievewithoutfinancialburden.Afterhiselectionasmayor,Smithdonatedhisentiresalarytocharity,markingyetagainhisloveanddevotionfortheresidentsofthetown. ThroughtheRoaringTwentiesandtheGreatDepression,Selkirkwashometonotonlyoneofthemostgenerousmen,butoneofthemostunassumingaswell.RobertSmith,mostknownforhispositionasGeneralManagerattheManitobaRollingMillswouldlaterberevealedasasilentgiverandconstantcaretaker.Robert…

Roderick Fiddler

RoderickservedasaChiefPettyOfficeraboardtheCorvettetitledHMCSWindflower.TheHMCSWindflowerwasusedinconvoyescortduringtheBattleoftheAtlantic.OnDecember7,1941theWindflowerwasstruckbyafreightershipinaheavyfog.Thefogwassothickthatshipscouldnotseewheretheyweregoingresultinginacollision.WhenmembersoftheWindflowerknewtheirshipwassinking,theydeployedthelifeboats.EscortshipswereunsurewhatstrucktheWindflowerbecauseofthedensefog.ThisledtotheescortshipsthinkingthelifeboatswereenemyU-Boatsandstartedshootingatthem.ThecollisionsunktheWindflowerand23crewmemberswerelost,includingRoderickFiddler.

Russ Moses

RussMoses,aDelawarefromSixNationsoftheGrandRiver,andNavalVeteranoftheKoreanWar,whomBillmetfouryearsearlieratTorontoconference,wasDeputyCommissioneroftheIndiansofCanadaPavilionatExpo67.RussobtainedaSixNationsCondolenceCanethattheCanadiancontingentpresentedtoBritanniaoncompletionoftheirtimeintheship.BilllefttheRoyalYachtinPortsmouthreturningtoDalhousieUniversity.AftergraduationinMay1968,hejoinedthedestroyerHMCSRestigouche. InSeptember1969,BillwaspostedtotheLongOperationsCourseattheFleetSchoolinHalifax.Whileoncourse,hepassedallthewrittenexamstoqualifyfordestroyercommand.InJune1970,BillwasappointedtoHMCSGatineauastheOperationsOfficer.BillpassedDestroyerCommandBoardmakinghimeligibleforanappointmenttocommandatsea.Gatineau'splannedparticipationinanewinternationalnavalexerciseoffHawaii(RIMPAC1971)wascancelled.Inlieu,BillwasassignedtothestaffofAdmiralDroversinHMASMelbourne,theRoyalAustralianNavy's(RAN)aircraftcarrierfortheRIMPACExercise.

Ruth Caroline Moody

RuthCarolineMoodywasborntheyoungestoffourchildrenonJune19,1900,toRichardComptonMoodyandEsterAdelineMoody.Richardhadbeenamen'sclothingdealerinLondon,England.Afterdiscoveringhehadtuberculosis,hecametoCanadain1870tohelpregainhishealthandstartedworkingonafarmin…

S. G. Langton

Job Titles:
  • 1st VP

Selkirk Hunt

NewtonandhiswifeleftSelkirktoliveinBritishColumbiain1935afterhardtimesduringtheDepression.Theybothdiedin1944.

T. J. Jones

Job Titles:
  • 1st VP: M. Moncreiff / 2nd VP: W. S. Young

Ted Wozny

Job Titles:
  • Retired Fire Chief

Thomas Sinclair Jr.

"Agentlemanwho,webelieve,hadnoanenemyintheworld,warm-heartedandgenial,whosesmileofkindnesswasextendedtoeverybody.Pleasantandaccommodatinginhispubliccapacities.Thelossissustainedbyhisdepartureisinherentlyfelt."-ExcerptfromtheThomasSinclairJr'sObituary,SelkirkRecordMarch16,1888.ThomasSinclair… ThomasSinclairJr.succeededhisfatherasanEnglish-speakingmemberoftheAssemblyafterSinclairSr.passedawayonMarch23,1870.Hisgoodwillandamiablepersonalityhelpedhimsucceedinhisnewrole.ThomasSinclairJr.latercontinuedhispositionasanappointedMagistrate,thefirstregistraroflandtitles,andCouncillorofAssiniboiaProvinceofManitoba.OnJuly15,1870theresistanceendedwhentheProvisionalGovernmentacceptedthetermsoftheManitobaActandManitobabecamethefifthprovinceofCanada. ThomasSinclairJr.passedawayonMarch8,1888.SinclairAvenuewasnamedinhishonourforthecontributionshemadetothecommunity. ThomasSinclairJr.wasbornonApril9,1841,inSt.AndrewsandwasthesonofHannahCummingsandThomasSinclairSr.ThomasSinclairSr.workedasaboatbrigadecaptainthatoperatedasanindependentfreighterandtraderoutofSt.Andrews.SinclairSr.alsooperatedagristmillontheRedRiverneartherapidsattheSt.AndrewsParish.Hisfinaloccupation,mostnotably,wasasamemberoftheLegislativeAssemblyofAssiniboia.

W. A. Maynard

Job Titles:
  • 1st VP: G. H. Fox / 2nd VP: R. a. Kirkpatrick

William (Bill) Little

BillLittlewasthebrotherofHaroldLittle,CharlesTetroeandFrankTetroe.BillwasaD-DayveteranthatservedwiththeFortGarryHorseasaLieutenant.HefirstgotinvolvedwiththeFortGarryHorse,whenheattendedaregimentransummercamp.Thecampinstructedchildrenonhowtoridehorsesandintroducedthemtomilitaryhorsemanship.Militaryhorsemanshipteachesfundamentalskillsonhowtoridehorsesinspecialunits.ThiscampstartedBill'smilitarycareerandignitedhislifelongloveforhorses. Bill,likehisbrotherHaroldtravelledinanamphibiousShermantank.HistanksurvivedthebeachlandinginNormandy.InaWinnipegFreePressinterviewfrom2013Billtalkedabouthisencountersoverseas.Heexplainedhowafraggrenadewoundedhimandtookhimoutofbattlefortwoweeks.Whenhereturnedtothefrontlineshesaid"fromthenonitwasstraightfightingGermansuntilwefinishedup,May3.InOldenburgGermany.That'swhereweendedthewar."

William Douglas Shead

Job Titles:
  • Governor General of Canada Website

William Earl Gordon

Job Titles:
  • People
William"Bill"EarlGordonwasbornJuly27th,1890inDrayton,Ontario.Hisfather,WilliamHenryGordonwasananalyticalmanandalawyer,whichsetthefoundationforWilliam'scareerasanaccountantandfinancialadvisor,aswellasinpolitics.EarlyLifeAttheageofthree,William'sfamilymovedtoWiarton,Ontario…

William Fingland

Job Titles:
  • Architect
ArchitectWilliamFinglandwasaskedtodesignthenewbuilding.BornandraisedinOntario,FinglandgraduatedfromtheUniversityofTorontoandpracticedinBaltimore,Maryland,andNewYorkCitybeforecomingtoWinnipegin1905.HehasdozensofbuildingstohiscreditacrosstheprairiesandwasnotedforhisuseoftheBeaux-Artsclassicalstyleanddecorativeterracottadetail.

William Gibbs

Job Titles:
  • Member of Knox Presbyterian Church
  • People
WilliamGibbs,DateUnknown,PhotoCourtesyofHughGibbsforStoriesofSelkirk'sPioneersandTheirHeritage OncesettledinSelkirk,thefamilyfoundaloghousenearMorrisAvenueandEvelineStreettoliveinforthefirstyear,andWilliamstarteduphisownbakery.WilliamandMary'sfourthchild,Herbertwasbornintheloghouse,andshortlyafterwardthefamilymovedtoahouseonClandeboyeAvenuewhereGeorgewasborn.Movingyetagain,theybuiltalargerhomewiththreeupstairs'bedrooms,asmallrootcellar,anddownstairs:astoreinthefrontwithanold-fashionedclayovenintheback.Lizziewasborn,andtheGibb'sseventhchild,Spencer,wasbornin1882,however,hedidn'tsurviveinfancy.Maryfellsickwithtuberculosisanddiedin1883.WilliamremarriedtoMaryGriffinin1884andtheyhadtheirfirstchild,Frankin1885,completingaverybusyfouryears. WilliamGibbswasontheHospitalBoard,whichwasformedtoorganizethebuildingofSelkirkGeneralHospital.HewasalsothepresidentoftheSt.AndrewsAgriculturalSocietywhichorganizedtheSelkirkFairandRodeosince1878. WilliamGibbswasanelderandmemberofKnoxPresbyterianChurch,beingthechoirleaderatthefirstcongregationalservice.Thestained-glasswindowsdedicatedtothechurchintheearly1900sareinthememoryofWilliamGibbsaswellasLawrenceandAnnMoncrieff. WilliamGibbsisbestknownforbeingoneoftwobakersinSelkirkduringthelate1800sandearly1900s.TheGibbsnameisrememberedbythecommunityforGibbs'DrugStorewhichWilliam'ssons,HarryandFrederickstartedandcontinuedin1890. WilliamwasborntothetownbakerinTaunton,Englandin1845.Hehelpedhisfatherathisshopfromanearlyage,learningtheskillsofthetradewhichhewouldbringwithhimtoSelkirkafewdecadeslater. Asateenager,Williamwashelpingthedeliverymanunloadawagonfullofflour.Hehadhisbackturnedtothewagoninpreparationforthedeliverymantoplaceasackofflouronhisback,butinsteaddoingthis,thedeliverymantosseditatWilliam.Thebagsofflourwereover200lbs,breakingWilliamsback,andresultinginpermanentlycurvedshoulders.