The Toal Commission was a Commission of Inquiry conducted by James Toal at the Prince Edward Hotel in Brandon,MB from 1971-1972. The purpose of this inquiry was to investigage a report published by the Brandon Police Department entitled, "Problem Metis Families, City of Brandon," as well as allegations of police harassment in the City of Brandon from January 1, 1970, onward. The report was prepared by the Brandon Police Department following a petition submitted to Mayor Wilton. The petition, signed by approximately thirty residents of Brandon's East End, requested that the city prohibit the sale of homes in their neighborhood to Native families. A copy of the report was obtained by the Brandon Sun, which generated a considerable public response that resulted in the investigation in question.
Custodial History
Records were ordered from the Archives of Manitoba by Brandon University Archivist Tom Mitchell and Brandon University history professor Jim Naylor in 2013.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of records created over the course of the Toal Commission. It includes copies of verbatim transcripts of the Toal Commission hearings, as well as a commission of inquiry, a report on the commission, and indexes, which list the witnesses and evidence presented for each day of the hearings.
Image of Brandon University staff members (L to R): Lil Phillips (Library), Joan Fitzpatrick (Library), Stella Tolmie (Library), Ellen Perkin (Arts) and Elspeth Denbow (Science) dressed in period costumes to celebrate Brandon's 100th anniversary. The Senior and Lady Stick in their original case is on the wall behind the women.
Photograph was in the possession of L.J. Crocker and his daughter Frances Wollison (nee Crocker) until donation by the latter to McKee Archives in October 2005.
Scope and Content
Item consists of portraits of the Brandon College arts class of 1927 taken in 1924, and their motto: In Omnia Paratus.
Top Row (L to R): R.B. Scott; G.J. Coleman; H.R. Varcoe; M.A. Campbell; and A.W. Louseley.
Second Row (L to R): M. Wiseman; E.M. Irish (Vice Pres.); R.E. Clement (Sec. Treas.); and E.B. Lynch.
Third Row (L to R): M.C. Sparling; Dr. Sweet (President); P.D. Campbell (Class Pres.); L.J. Crocker (Hon. Pres.); and O. Moors.
Fourth Row (L to R): J. I. Drysdale; M.A. Sweet; A.A. Brandon; and G. Godley.
Fifth Row (L to R): R.M. Bowering; I.H. Sutherland; G.A. Little; F.e. Hitchcock; J.e. Bolton; F.A. Day; and M.A. Yeo.
Sixth Row (L to R): R.E. Willey; A.W. Derby; L.G. McPherson; M.R. Fargey; H. Hainstock; and L.L. Robertson.
Seventh Row (L to R): M. Flemming; C. Sheridan; L.B. Coleman; H.P. Clarke; D.I. Robertson; and E.A. Yeo.
Eighth Row (L to R): I.M. Weisbrod; S.J. Westaway; D. Heath; L.R. Dennison; R.A. Hydman; L.J. Mayo; and J. McLellan.
The Binscarth Women's Institute began in 1928, as a division of the Manitoba Women's Institute. It was organized for rural women to come together in a social setting. The members of the Institute participated in fund raising for community projects initiated by the Institute. The Institute also undertook to organize community events. The last meeting of the Binscarth Women's Institute took place in 1967. The organization was never formally dissolved.
Custodial History
This fonds was accessioned in 1997 by the McKee Archives. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Fonds contains minutes, financial records, and other material created by the Binscarth Women's Institute from its creation in 1928, to its final gathering in 1967. Aside from minutes and financial records, the fonds contains records of the Canadian Centennial celebrations of 1967, planned by the Institute.
Related women's institute collections in the McKee Archives include:
Manitoba Women's Institute; Minnedosa Women's Institute; Cordova Women's Institute; Clanwilliam Women's Institute; Rathwell Women's Institute; Strathclair Women's Institute; Crocus Women's Institute; Southwest A Region - Manitoba Women's Institute; Douglas Women's Institute
John C. Cousins was the son of Thomas Cousins (b. August 17, 1882 in Truro, Nova Scotia - d. March 5, 1914) and Mary Margaret Craig (b. April 14, 1824 - d. April 25, 1903). He married Eunice Eliza Nixon from London Township, County of Middlesex, Ontario. Together they had three children: Eunice M., Eric O. and Kathleen. J.C. Cousins was Reeve of the Rural Municipality of Daly from 1905 to 1910 and Assessor for the Town of Rivers from 1931-1938.
Custodial History
Record was accessioned in 2007 by the McKee Archives. Prior custodial history unknown.
Scope and Content
This document is a rambling memoir of John C. Cousins' recollections of life in the Rural Municipality of Daly from the settlement era in the early 1880s, through to the 1940s. He touches on various themes, including: his family history; the activities of the R.M. of Daly and his role as Reeve; the history of school districts in the municipality (lists names of first teachers and early students); the history of churches in the municipality; tragedies in the municipality; lists members of the Council of the municipality for the years 1885-1946; and the devastating impact of the Spanish Influenza on Aboriginal people in the municipality.
In addition, the memoir includes documentary records, such as minutes and copies of letters. There are also many photographs of both events and individuals (virtually all of the photographs are labelled and names are provided). The memoir goes beyond a simple recounting of facts. Cousins is discursive and thoughtful, often making references to developments happening in other parts of North America and Canada. There is also a link to the Maritimes, from which his family originated.