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 is looking northwest probably from the northwest corner of 18th Street and Louise Avenue. The photographer was laying down when s/he took the shot. Photograph shows the field to the south of the Citizens' Science Building, as well as the Citizens' Science Building, part of the Brandon College Building and Clark Hall, and two H-Huts. The photo was taken in summer as the field is full of dandelions.
View is southwest from approximately 18th Street and Lorne Avenue. Photograph shows the Brandon University campus in winter, including: the Brandon University sign, the John R. Brodie Science Centre, the Citizens' Science Building and McMaster Hall.
View is southwest from the north side of Princess Avenue. Photograph shows the original Music Building, the north driveway entrance and parts of Clark Hall and the Brandon College building.
View is southwest from the sidewalk on the west side of 18th Street. Photograph shows the Brandon University sign, the front lawn, the Citizens' Science Building, McMaster Hall and the John R. Brodie Science Centre.
View is south from the north side of Princess Avenue. Photograph shows the walkway leading south across campus, the original Music Building, the A.E. McKenzie Building, the J.R.C. Evans Lecture Theatre, Flora Cowan Hall and Darrach Hall.
View is southwest from Princess Avenue. Photograph shows the original Music Building, the A.E. McKenzie Building, the J.R.C. Evans Lecture Theatre and Darrach Hall. Also visible are the field where the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium now stands, as well as a number of houses on 20th Street.
View is southwest. Photograph shows Clark Hall, the Brandon College Building, the Citizens' Science Building and the driveway running in front of the buildings. Portions of the front lawn and the Kinsmen Staduim are also visible.
View is northeast fron the west side of the Dining Hall. Photograph shows portions of the J.R.C. Evans Lecture Theatre and the A.E. McKenzie Building, as well as an H-Hut, Clark Hall, the Brandon College Building and the quadrangle.
View is north from approximately the Citizens' Science Building. Photograph shows the driveway running in front of the Brandon College Building and Clark Hall, a number of cars and students along the driveway and the Education Building in the background.
View is south from the lawn in front of the Education Building and shows a student exiting the building. The driveway and John R. Brodie Science Centre are visible in the background.
View is northwest from the front lawn. Photograph shows the Citizens' Science Building, an H-Hut, the Brandon College Building, Clark Hall and the original Music Building.
Photograph has a couple of cracks, due to bending.
Scope and Content
View is northwest from the front lawn. Photograph shows the Brandon College Building, Clark Hall, the parking lot in front of those two buildings and the Education building.
View is south southwest from approximatley the location of the current Health Studies Complex. Photograph shows the large field to the north of Clark Hall, Clark Hall, the Brandon College Building, the Citizens' Science Building and an H-Hut behind Clark Hall.
View is north from in front of the John R. Brodie Science Centre. Photograph shows the entrance to McMaster Hall, the Citizens' Science Building and an H-Hut, as well as the walkway between the buildings.
View is northwest from in front of the John R. Brodie Science Centre. Photograph shows the entrance to McMaster Hall and an H-Hut, as well as the flower beds in front of the Brodie Science Centre.
View is northwest from the southeast corner of 18th Street and Louise Avenue. Photograph shows the Citizens' Science Building, the Brandon College Building, Clark Hall and two H-Huts, as well as the land to the south of the buildings. The Original Music Building is partially visible in the background.
View is east northeast from the sidewalk on the southeast corner of the George T. Richardson Centre (John R. Robbins Library). Photographs shows the campus during winter, including the Physical Plant and Development H-Huts, as well as the Brandon College Building and Clark Hall after the majority of the renovations were completed.
