Archibald E. Wilson was the son of Reverend E.F. Wilson and the husband of St. Clair Vidal Wilson. Rev. E.F. Wilson was at one time in charge of the Shingwauk and Wawanosh Homes at Sault Ste. Marie. Rev. E.F. Wilson moved to Elkhorn, Manitoba in 1888, to establish an educational home for Indian children. He was joined by his son, Archibald E. Wilson who was, in 1890, appointed assistant to the superintendent. A.E. Wilson became Principal of the Indian Industrial School in 1892. His wife served as Matron of the girls departments. Togerher they had three daughters: E.F. Metita, Winifred St. Clair and Murial Grace, as well as two sons: Edward Vidal, and St. Clair Vidal Wilson.
Archibald Wilson and his family lived in Elkhorn, Manitoba during the years 1892 to 1918 while he was principal. At the beginning of his term as Principal there were 12 students enrolled; enrollment reached as high as 95 students, representing eight different nations. In February of 1918, the government withdrew funding and the school closed. In September of 1918, Wilson left Elkhorn to take up his new position as a clerk at an Indian Reserve near Gleichen, Alberta.
During its years of operation, the Elkhorn Industrial School included an Athletic department, a curling team and a boys' football team. Students studied carpentry, shoemaking, harness making, tailoring, knitting and sewing. In 1893, the school was presented with a large Canadian flag for being the best Industrial School in Manitoba and the Territories. In November of 1893, a brass band was established, which provided music for the local Anglican Chruch. After a fire demolished most of the school in 1895, Wilson convinced the Federal Department of Indian Affairs to rebuild the school. In 1899, the Elkhorn Industrial School was reopened.
Custodial History
Most of this fonds was at one time in the possession of Principal A.E. Wilson. After Wilson passed away the pieces of the fonds were kept by one of his daughters, Winifred St. Clair Wilson, now deceased. Winifred married Mr. Frank Clark, M.D. and kept the fonds when she moved to Vancouver B.C. and then to Calgary, Alberta. Winifred Clark eventually donated the fonds to the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Fonds includes four journals, one testimonial and one newspaper article. The journals include: the ‘7th Annual Report of the Washakada Indian Homet 1895-1896,' written by Principal A.E. Wilson; ‘The Greater Britain Messenger’ September and October 1899, which includes the article ‘The Elkhorn Home, Manitoba;’ ‘The National Monthly of Canada’ September 1902, which includes the article ‘Indian Children at Home;’ and the Centeneray Number (March-April 1932) issue of ‘The Algoma Missionary News,’ which includes an article giving information about Rev. E.F. Wilson and his missionary work.
Fonds also includes an article from the November 19, 1971 edition of The Vancouver Sun, entitled "Leisure's Book Reviews," which discusses Indigenous publications in Canada. The testimonial that is included in the fonds, was given to Archibald Wilson upon his departure from Elkhorn. There are 28 subscribers to the testimonial and it is dated September 19, 1918.
Notes
The Wilsons are discussed in J.R. Miller's "Skyscrapers Hide the Heavens: A History of Indian-White Relations in Canada," Miller's "Shingwauk's vision :a history of native residential schools" and John S. Milloy's "A National Crime: The Canadian Government and the Residential School System 1879-1986." Description by Christy Henry.
Photograph was donated by C. Allan Elsey in September 2003. The photograph belonged to the donor's father Charles Spurgen Elsey.
Scope and Content
Item consists of portraits of the members of the Ministerial Association of Brandon College. Members included: J.W. Williamson; L. Whitelaw; C.S. Elsey; C. Gale; R. Standerwick; A.S. Parnell; W.P. Freeman; John Erb; A. Bowbrick (Vice President); E. Selley (President); H.S. Sneyd (Sec. Treasurer); A.W. Mayse; H.S. Mullowney; William Parsons; Rev. R. McKay; Dr. A.P. McDiarmid; R.J.M. Caul; W. Smalley; H. Winton; George Reynolds; George Merritt; G. Siemens; F.W. McKinnon; F. Crossley; H.F. Finch; H.H. Best; J.H. Frith; H.S. Bagnell; and James Start.
Bob and Kay Howland at Dunrobin, in Ottawa, hosted a reunion of the Brandon University Alumni Association. Present at the function were : Jim and Marina Lalung, Mr. and Mrs. Assison Boles, Ed Neal, Connie and Del Hewitt-White, Dorine and Hugh Best, Mary and Jack Wickers, Ian and Beverley Barnes, Nevin and Mary Ann Shaw, Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, Carol and Bob Milne, Dorothy and Clay Elston, Lenore Dinsdale, Bob and Elsie Farrell, Willa Davies, Jack Perkins (Association President), Bob and Kay Howland. This reunion included people from Orleans, Fitzroy Harbour, Stittsville, Manotick, Kingston, Ottawa, and Brandon, MB. Group photo taken at the reunion
Approximately 5000 photographic negatives, and some colour prints.
History / Biographical
Morris Predinchuk was a professional photographer, who during the period 1987-1999, was retained by Brandon University to photograph convocations and graduants. Each of the personal portraits was the product of a contract between Predinchuck and a graduant for a graduation photograph. Morris Predinchuk died in Moosomin, Saskatchewan on January 16, 2007 at the age of 75 years.
Custodial History
The images were picked up by the Archives from Predinchuk's business in the Towne Centre Mall on Septemeber 27, 2005.
Scope and Content
Sub-series consists of negatives and prints of approximately 2600 graduants and honourary degree recipients at Brandon University spring and fall convocations from 1987-1998 and the spring convocation of 1999. All the images were taken by Morris Predinchuk.
Notes
For descriptive purposes it was decided to group the negatives by convocation rather than describing each individual negative. Predinchuck's obituary appeared in the January 19, 2007 edition of the Brandon Sun.
Repro Restriction
Copyright privileges do apply. Copyright was assigned to the University through the donor form.
Storage Location
Brandon University Photograph Collection
Series 1: Convocation, scholarships and awards
1.2 Morris Predinchuck fonds
Boxes 1-3
Arrangement
Original order - chronological. All of the negatives are labelled and placed in labelled envelopes.
Initial layout of furnishings looking south. Library Reading Room, Library and Arts Building with Art Exhibit for official opening. People not identified
Series is divided into 13 sub-series, including: (1) Aerials; (2) Brandon College Building & Clark Hall; (3) Citizens' Science Centre & Knowles Douglas Building; (4) Richardson Centre & A.E. McKenzie Building; (5) Healthy Living Centre & Henry Champ Gymnasium; (6) Dining Hall & Residences; (7) Education Building; (8) Original Music Building & the Queen Elizabeth II Music Building; (9) J.R. Brodie Science Centre; (10) Dr. James and Mrs. Lucille Brown Health Studies Complex; (11) Jeff Umphrey Building & Glen P. Sutherland Art Gallery; (12) Physical Plant; (13) H-Huts.
Original office furnishings of College Librarian's Office. L. to R. Barbara Ritchie (library staff), Ray Hegion (Library Staff), Professor Norma E. Walmsley (poli. sci., Chairman, Faculty Library Committee), Eileen McFadden (College Librarian), Lee Finch (Library Staff)
W.M.C.A.Convocation '76 . Two rows of graduates walk into the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium. A row of faculty members stands to the far right watching the graduates. Faculty L to R: G. Senoff, Bob Moon, Jack Lamb, Maria Szivos(?), ?, L. Liu, ? Photograph is looking west-northwest.
