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.
Faith Ellen Flay (nee Willis) was born on September 17, 1884 in Little Burn, Devonshire, England. Faith married William Frederick Flay (1877-1965) in Tiverton, Devon on December 26, 1906 and together they had two children: Winnifred Ellen and William George. She immigrated to Canada with her children in 1916 to join her husband who had come to Canada in 1913. The family lived in many communities in southern Manitoba - Deloraine, Clearwater, Whitewater, Boissevain, Hartney and Brandon - where William farmed and worked for the railroad. Faith took her midwife training in Britain and continued to work as a midwife in Manitoba, working closely with Dr. Buchanan (Deloraine) and Dr. Corbett (Crystal City). Faith Flay died on Septebmer 22, 1985 in Brandon, MB. She is buried at Riverside Cemetery.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with Faith Flay about pioneering to Canada. Interviewer is Hazel Rose.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Flay's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
Media missing or recording not available.
An unexpected error occurred.
Update Required
To play the media you will need to update your
browser to a recent version, or update your Flash plugin.
Faith Ellen Flay (nee Willis) was born on September 17, 1884 in Little Burn, Devonshire, England. Faith married William Frederick Flay (1877-1965) in Tiverton, Devon on December 26, 1906 and together they had two children: Winnifred Ellen and William George. She immigrated to Canada with her children in 1916 to join her husband who had come to Canada in 1913. The family lived in many communities in southern Manitoba - Deloraine, Clearwater, Whitewater, Boissevain, Hartney and Brandon - where William farmed and worked for the railroad. Faith took her midwife training in Britain and continued to work as a midwife in Manitoba, working closely with Dr. Buchanan (Deloraine) and Dr. Corbett (Crystal City). Faith Flay died on Septebmer 22, 1985 in Brandon, MB. She is buried at Riverside Cemetery.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with Faith Flay about child labor in England and her career as a midwife. Interviewer is Kay Briggs.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Flay's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
Media missing or recording not available.
An unexpected error occurred.
Update Required
To play the media you will need to update your
browser to a recent version, or update your Flash plugin.
Florence Alice Hinch (nee Matthews) was born on October 21, 1898 in Charlottetown, PEI. She came to Brandon with her parents James Ewen and Deborah (Lowther) Matthews, as well as brother Ralph, in 1911. James Matthews served in the Canadian Parliament for a number of years. Florence received her education in Brandon, graduating from Brandon College. After teaching at Hunter and Hayfield schools, she married John S Hinch (1888-1954) in October 1926. Together they had two children: John and Howard. Florence and John farmed SE 2-10-20 in the RM of Whitehead. She was an avid supporter and player at the Roseland Curling Rink, and also participated in many school and church activities. Florence Hinch died on April 16, 1991 in Brandon, MB. She is buried at Brandon Municipal Cemetery.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with Florence Hinch about the history of J.E. Matthews and family. Interviewer is Effie McPhail.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Hinch's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
Media missing or recording not available.
An unexpected error occurred.
Update Required
To play the media you will need to update your
browser to a recent version, or update your Flash plugin.
Floyd Renwick Amos was born in September 1900 in Waskada, MB. Floyd attended schools in the area and worked with his father as a blacksmith, until he began farming in the Bagot area. In 1935, he moved to Austin. That same year, Floyd married Irene B. Martin (1909-1964). Together they had two children: Irma and John. Floyd farmed until 1955, and the next year he became night supervisor at the Manitoba Home for Boys in Portage la Prairie. He held this position until retiring in 1967. Following retirement, Floyd moved to Winnipeg where he lived with his sister and niece. Floyd Amos died on April 1, 1989 in Winnipeg, MB. He is buried at Austin Cemetery.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with Floyd Amos about Waskada and area. Interviewer is Roberta Poole.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Amos' obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
Media missing or recording not available.
An unexpected error occurred.
Update Required
To play the media you will need to update your
browser to a recent version, or update your Flash plugin.