Item is a large piece of matting containing individual portraits of the members of the Brandon College class of 1953 with the first initial and last name of each person identified. In the centre of the board is a photograph of the Brandon College shield of arms and the title "Class of '53."
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.
Tears around the edges, some staining over the entire piece (none of the photos are damaged)
Scope and Content
Composite portrait of the members of Brandon College Class of 1943. Writing on the back reads "To Bill, from The Knowleton's, Happy Birthday 1976."
Notes
Cliff Kitson graduated Class of 1946, Ray Bailey graduated Class of 1945, Anna Hughes graduated Class of 1944, George Gooden graduated Class of 1942. S. Morris, M. Hughes, M. Bockie, A. Flemming, M. Fahrig did not graduate. W. Orr, G. Grant, W. Goodwin, A. Armstrong all served in World War II and did not graduate. A. Armstrong was killed on active service.
Students from the Class of 1919. Back row-L to R: John Grant, Don Forsythe, LeslieYlinz, Ray Sinole, Campbell McIntyre. Front row-L to R: Frances Wolverton, Madge Struthers, Isabel Cummings, Zoe Hough
Brandon College. Students from the Class of 1919. Standing-L to R: Zoe Allen Margerrison Hough, Rae Sinole, Isobel Cummings, Leslie Glinz, Frances Wolverton, Don Forsythe. Sitting-L to R: Madge Struthers (probably), Campbell McIntyre, John Grant
Brandon College. Students from the Class of 1921. Boys-L to R: Algernon, Runeman, Joe Wicklund, Victor Warner, Leslie O. Harris, Kelly Stone, Jim Smith, Chris Riley, Evan Whidden, Norman McDonald, Glen Clark, John Hart. Girls-L to R: Jennie M. Turnbull – Hon. Class Pres. – Staff, Edna McVeety, Tena Turnbull, Hattie Hall, Hazel Dunseith, Bea Clendenning, Lizzie Greig, M.A., Jessie Venables
Brandon College Students of the Class of 1921. Front-L to R: Glen Clark, Vic Warner, Leslie O. Harris, Joe Wicklund, Evan Whidden, Chris Riley, Norman McDonald, Kelly Stone. Standing-L to R: Bea Clendenning, Jim Smith, Jennie (Jane) Turnbull, Edna McVittie (McVitty), Elizabeth Hall, Hazel Dunseith, Tena Turnbull, Jessie Venables
