The Brandon Art Club was founded in November 1907, and operated in an art studio on the top floor of the Brandon College Women's Residence. The club appears to have been the creation of Miss. H. Hancock, who became the Director of the Department of Art at Brandon College c. 1907. The club moved to larger facilities made available at the First Methodist Church; the organization remained there until sometime during the Great War when the club relocated to St. Paul's Presbyterian Church and then in 1921, to the Prince Edward Hotel. The club's first public art exhibitions were held at the Prince Edward Hotel. Art classes were held for the first time in 1928. In 1968, the Brandon Art Club merged with the Allied Arts Center, which had been formed in 1959. The Allied Arts Center was located at 1036 Louise Avenue. In April 1984, the Allied Arts Center was moved to new facilities at the Arts Center of Western Manitoba located at 638 Princess Avenue. In 1989, it was renamed the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, and began to function as a "professional, regional art gallery." The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba relocated to 2-710 Rosser Ave. c. 2001.
Custodial History
These records were created at different times between 1907 and 1993, and remained in the possession of the administration of the above mentioned organizations until May 2001, when they where donated to the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Fonds contains administrative records, minutes, personal files, correspondence, newsletters, photographs, summaries of collections and exhibits, scrapbooks, programs, submitted papers, and other miscellaneous records. All are a record of the growth and evolution of the Art Club, its administration, and of the art community in Brandon.
The A.E. McKenzie Company fonds (RG 3 MG 1, 1.3) located in the McKee Archives contains some records, primarily correspondence and minutes, relating to the Brandon Allied Arts Council.
2.4 m textual records; c. 5 photographs; 1 minute book (measuring 1"x 9"x 14")
History / Biographical
The Brandon Trades and Labour Council was established in 1906, as an affiliate of the Trades and Labour Congress of Canada. The original Council contained thirteen locals, including those of railway workers, sheet metal workers, plumbers and steam fitters, bricklayers, carpenters and joiners, cigar makers, printers, and barbers. By 1912, the Council contained twenty four locals. The Council's principal function was to advance the corporate interests of labour within the framework of a largely unregulated capitalism. After 1955, the Council was affiliated with the Canadian Labour Congress, which was created through a merger of the Trades and Labour Congress of Canada and the Canadian Congress of Labour.
Custodial History
Fonds remained in possession of Brandon and District Labour Council prior to donation to the S.J. McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of financial and administrative records of the Brandon and District Labour Council. Records also include collective agreements, correspondence, publications of the Labour Council and affiliated unions, some union local minutes, newspaper clippings, petitions, and various miscellaneous files. Fonds also includes a minute book for the Council (1971-1985) and two union charters.
The Brandon Council of Women (BCW) was active between 1895 and 1927, when it disbanded. Principally through the efforts of Mrs. Kaye Rowe of Brandon, the BCW was officially restablished in 1952. The Brandon Council of Women remained active until c. 1973. It brought together fifty-two women's organizations in Brandon, representing 2600 women.
Custodial History
The Brandon Council of Women fonds was transferred to the McKee Archives during the 1970s. It was accessioned in 1998.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of papers and photographs of the International Council of Women (ICW), the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC), the Manitoba Council of Women (MCW), and the Brandon Council of Women (BCW). The ICW papers include meeting minutes. The NCWC papers include meeting minutes, resolution lists, pamphlets, newsletters, correspondence, financial records, yearbooks, and copies of Acts pertaining to women. The MCW papers contain copies of the MCW constitution, meeting minutes, resolution lists, correspondence, and committee reports. The BCW materials comprise the largest part of the fonds, and include meeting minutes, committee reports, financial records, correspondence, short course agendas, posters, pamphlets, memos, resolution lists, newspaper clippings, manuscripts, photographs, and scrapbooks.
The Brandon Folk, Music, and Art Society, Inc. has been in existence since 1985, when it was founded by a group of Westman people interested in providing an alternative art and music festival for the western Manitoba region. That group sponsored the first annual Brandon Folk, Music, and Art Festival in September of 1985 and established the community-based, non-profit structure of the Society.
The Society's main goal is to provide musicians, artists and artisans with an opportunity to perform or display their talents on a professional level. The Society provides for its members and aspiring artists by sponsoring an annual Festival, coffeehouses, socials and other performances at local establishments, featuring local and touring performers.
The Society is governed by a volunteer board of directors from many sectors of the local community.
Custodial History
Recrods in accession 19-2008 were in the possession of the Brandon Folk, Music & Art Society prior to their donation to the archives in September 2008.
Scope and Content
Accession 17-2008 (12 cm, 1985-1988) consists of 10 files containing promotional materials, meeting minutes and planning documents for Society's annual music festival.
Accession 19-2008 (63 cm, 1981-2008) consists of: minutes, festival programs, publications, posters, financial records, correspondence; miscellaneous photographs.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from Society records. Description by Donna Lowe and Christy Henry.
DEANS OF ARTS:
R.F.B. KING (1967-1972)
Ralph Frederick Breach King was born July 16, 1921 in Vancouver, B.C. He obtained his B.A. from the University of British Columbia in 1948, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in 1951 and 1960 respectively. Before coming to Brandon College in 1963, King held positions in the English Departments of the University of British Columbia, Royal Military College (Kingston), and the Canadian Services College (Victoria). At the latter, he was also the head of the department.
At Brandon College he joined the Department of English as its Head and also acted as, first, the Associate Dean of Arts (1963-1965), and then as the first Dean of Arts (1965-1972) of Brandon University. He continued as Head of the English Department until 1977. In addition, during the interregnum between the Robbins and Dulmage presidencies in 1969-1970, King also served as Acting President of the University.
As Dean, King oversaw the radical change in curriculum that took place just prior to Brandon College becoming an independent University. He supervised the introduction of the major-minor system (instead of three sequences of specialization) and the wide-ranging revisions in the academic program that the new degree structure required. Once Brandon University had been formally constituted in 1967, a need arose to expand and develop teaching staff, and King profoundly influenced the development of the institution through his choice of faculty. King also played an important role in expanding the library collection as Chair of the Brandon College Faculty Library Committee in the 1960s.
King retired in 1986; he was on full-time disability for the last seven years of his appointment due to complications arising from multiple sclerosis. In 1988, the University conferred on him "Emeritus" status.
Ralph F.B. King died June 3, 2002.
MICHAEL BLANAR (1972 - December 31, 1980)
Michael Blanar was born on April 26, 1933, in Montreal, Quebec. He graduated from Loyola College (Universite de Montreal) with his B.A. in 1954, and from the Universite de Montreal with his M.A. in 1956. From 1955-1960, except for 1958-1959 when he was registered as a post-graduate external Ph.D. student at University College, University of London, Blanar taught at Loyola High School in Montreal. In 1960, he graduate from the University de Montreal with his Ph.D.
From 1960-1970, Blanar taught English at Loyola College and directed the Freshman English Program there. For the two years before he came to Brandon University, he was on a leave of absence from Loyola College at Mount Saint Vincent University (Halifax), where he held the position of visiting associate professor in the English Department. In 1972, Blanar accepted the position of Dean of Arts at Brandon University. He held that post until 1981, while teaching part-time; in 1981, he resumed teaching full-time in the English Department, and continued to do so up until his retirement on September 1, 1993.
As a member of the English Department, Blanar developed and taught Written Expression, in addition to teaching other courses. He also acted as: a member of Senate (1981-1988); a member of the Senate Executive Committee; Chairman of the Scholarship Committee; Chairman of the Curriculum and Academic Standards Committee; Chairman of the Brandon University Act Committee; Chair, Tenure Committe; Chair, Promotions Appeal Committee; Chair, Search Committee for Director of Extension; and Chairman, Graduate Studies Committee (Arts Faculty Council). Blanar was also the Senior University Officer of Inter-Universities North for a number of years during the 1980s.
As Dean of Arts, he performed the usual academic administrative responsibilities, and due to the fact that there was no Vice-President (Academic and Research) at the time, he also represented the University at negotiations with the Universitites Grants Commission on Inter-Universities North, on the Inter-University Admission Committee. During his tenure as Dean, Blanar also oversaw the establishment of the Department of Native Studies, the consolidation of the language areas at the University into the Department of Classical and Modern Languages, and the intoduction of a Business Minor into the Economics Department.
In addition to his work at the University, Blanar was also a representative on the Articulation Council for Secondary and Post-Secondary Education for the Province of Manitoba (1982-1986), a member of the Board of Directors and the Brandon representative for the Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC), and an elected member of the Board of Directors of the Manitoba Opera Association.
Michael Blanar had three children with his first wife. In 1985, he married Shirley Lyon. Shirley Lyon passed away on March 1st, 2012. Michael Blanar lived in Winnipeg until his death on April 23, 2019.
P.J.C. HORDERN (January 1, 1981 - June 30, 1993)
Peter John Calveley Hordern was born in England on February 5, 1935. He was awarded a State Scholarship to Cambridge University (Latin, History, English) in 1953, and in 1959, completed his B.A. Thological Tripos Part 1 and 2 at that same institution. In 1961, he passed his General Ordination Exam at Lincoln Theological College and in 1961, received his Diploma in Ecumenical Theology from the Unviersity of Geneva, Switzerland. Hordern obtained his M.A. from Cambridge in 1964, and his Ph.D. in Religious Studies from McMaster University in 1972.
In the late 1960s, Hordern was a sessional lecturer in Hebrew at the University of Saskatchewan and a Professor of the Old Testament at the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad. In 1971, he took a position as a Lecturer in the Religion Department at Brandon University. From 1975-1978, he acted as the Chair for the department, and in 1980, he became the Co-ordinator for the Mature Student Centre. In 1981, he became the Dean of Arts; Hordern held this position until July 1993.
During his career at Brandon University, Hordern served the school in a number of additional capacities, including: Chairman of the Student Recruitment Committee, Chairman of the Arts Faculty Council Library Committee, a member of the Executive of the Brandon University Faculty Association, Vice-Chairman of the Arts Faculty Council, Vice-Chairman of the General Faculty Council and Vice-Chairman of the University Senate. In addition, Hordern was also a member of the Executive of the Canadian Society for the Study of Religion, Vice-Chairman (1976) and Co-Chairman (1978) of the Programme Committee for the Annual Conference of the Canadian Society for the Study of Religion, and Chairman of the Manitoba Police Commission. One of his prime research interests was the Epic of Gilgamesh.
Peter John C. Hordern retired from Brandon University in 2005 and on January 26, 2006 he was designated the title of Dean Emeritus. He continues to live in Brandon.
R.E. FLORIDA (July 1, 1993 - December 31, 1999)
Robert Florida was born on September 16, 1939 in St. Louis, MO to Edwin Lowe Florida and Eleanor Camille (nee Greene). He completed his Mech. Eng. degree at the University of Cincinnati in 1962, his Bachelor of Divinity at Tufts University in 1965, his M.A. at McMaster University in 1969 and his Ph.D. at McMaster in 1973.
He joined the Department of Religion at Brandon University in 1969 and retired at the end of 1999. While at Brandon University, Florida served as Dean of Arts from 1993-2000, as Chair of the Religion Department (1974-1975, 1978-1982, 1984-1986, 1991) and as President of the Brandon University Faculty Association (1972-1974, 1979-1980). His research interests focused on Buddhist ethical theory and practice.
During his career, Florida also acted as the Treasurer of the Canadian Society for the Study of Religion from 1980-1986, and as Treasurer of the Canadian Corporation for the Study of Religion from 1986-1989. From July 1989-June 1991, he was an Associate Professor, and member of the Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Swaziland, Kwaluseni, Swaziland (CIDA Project) helping that institution revise its curriculum. In the Spring of 1989, Florida was a Professor for the University of Pittsburg's Semester at Sea, and from January-June 1992 and January-June 1993, he was a Visiting Professor at Mahidol University, Salaya (Bangkok), Thailand.
Robert Florida married his wife Janice in 1963, and together they had two children: Aisha and Michael. At present (January 2006), Florida and his wife live in Victoria, B.C.
C. SCOTT GRILLS (August 2000 - June 30, 2007)
Scott Grills was born on December 31, 1963 in Peterborough, Ontario. He obtained his B.A. (Hons.- sociology) from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1984, his M.A. from the University of Waterloo in 1985 and his Ph.D. (sociology) from McMaster University in 1989.
Prior to becoming the Dean of Arts and Graduate Studies at Brandon University in August 2000, Grills served as the President of the Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations, and taught in the sociology department at Augustana University College from 1989-2000. In his time at Brandon University, Grills has also served on the Brandon University Research Committee, as Chair of the Senate Graduate Studies Committee, as the Brandon University representative of the Humanities and Social Sciences Federation of Canada and as a member of the Province of Manitoba's Working Group on Socio-Economic Status and Tuition Policy.
Scott Grills assumed the position of Vice-President (Academic & Research) on July 1, 2007.
REINHOLD KRAMER - Acting (January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007)
No biographical information yet.
STEVEN ROBINSON - Acting (January 1, 2008 - July 30, 2009)
Steve Robinson obtained his M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Guelph. He also studied Classics at Queen's University. He came to Brandon University in 1996 as a member of the Philosophy Department.
G. BRUCE STRANG (August 1, 2009 - December 31, 2014)
Bruce Strang obtained his Ph.D. in History and an M.A. in History from McMaster University and a B.A. (Honours) from the University of Winnipeg. He came to Brandon University from Lakehead University, where he was a member of the history department. At Lakehead, Strang had also served as Acting Dean of Social Sciences & Humanities and Chair of the Department of History. After stepping down as Dean of Arts, Strang returned to teaching in the history and business administration departments at Brandon University.
DEMETRIOUS TRYPHONOPOULOS (January 1, 2015 - July 1, 2019)
No biographical information yet.
LISA ROBSON - Acting (June 1, 2019 - 2020)
Custodial History
Accession 17-2000 was donated to the McKee Archives by Dr. Robert Florida, Dean of Arts. Accession 24-2000 was donated to the McKee Archives by the Dean's Office in October 1999. Accession 03-2005 was donated to the McKee Archives by the Dean's Office in June 2005. Accession 04-2005 was transfered to the Archives from the Dean of Arts Office in February 2005.
Scope and Content
Sub sub series consists of a number of accessions.
Accession 17-2000, consists of personnel records of faculty members who have left Brandon University or who have left the employment of the University through retirement or death. In addition, the records of the Northern Manitoba Business Institute, which was operated as a feature ofthe Faculty of Arts, are included. This accession contains 36 cm of texutal records and covers the years 1967-1986.
Accession 24-2000, consists of personnel files for the following members of the Faculty of Arts: C. Acosta-Gonzalez, M. Abou, J. Barletta, M. Bartosova, R.Bazillion (University Librarian), M. Blanar, H. Burmeister, D. Campbell, J. Chyzyk, L. Clark, F. Ezeala-Harrison, L. Hallat, K. Hanly, S. Hunter-Harvey (Vice-President Academic and Research), B. Jukpor, L. Kaufman, I.Makus, J. Rastel, M. Ruml, K. Saundrs, J. Skinner, Z. Yiheyis. In addition, the accession also includes miscellaneous records dealing with the Northern Manitoba Business Institute, the Brandon University Foundation, Attrition, and Remunerations of instructional staff. This accession contains 30 cm of textual records and covers the years 1962-1995.
Accession 3-2005, consists of personnel files for Dennis Anderson, William DeHaney, Trevor Denton, Robert Florida and Trevor McNeely. Files include curriculum vitae, correspondence, sabbatical applications, notes, paperwork related to courses and certificates. This accession contains 17 cm of textual records and covers the years 1977-2004.
Accession 4-2005, consists of Dr. Robert Brockway's personnel file. The file contains correspondence and copies of articles written by Brockway. The file consists of 5 cm of textual records and covers the years 1966-1999 (predominantly 1972-1985).
Notes
History/Bio information for Scott Grills was taken from the Dean of Arts page of the Faculty of Arts webpage at http://www.brandonu.ca/academic/arts/Dean's%20Office/dean's%20message.html (December 2005). History/Bio information for Steve Robinson was taken from the Fall/Winter 2008 Alumni News.
Accruals
Further accruals expected.
Access Restriction
Personnel records are closed.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 7: Faculties and Schools
7.1 Faculty of Arts
This is an artifically created sub sub series.
Pierian Spring was the by-product of a creative writing workshop taught by Dr. Robert Brockway at Brandon University in 1969. The members of the workshop met once a month and at the end of the year they deciced to produce a mimeographed book of poetry written by members of the group. They called it Peirian Spring, after the spot in Thrace from which the Muses came. In subsequent years, Brockway continued to teach the creative writing class as a non-credit extension course, however there were no further publications of Pierian Spring until Winter 1976. The later publications encorporated the writings of members of the group, but also included works by writers from across North America.
Scope and Content
Sub sub series consists of copies of one issue of "Aspen Grove" (1971) and numerous issues of "Pierian Spring" (1969, 1976, 1976-1989). It aslo contains a number of promotional pamphlets created by the Faculty of Arts. Included are pamphlets on: Arts One; the History, Religion, English and Creative Writing, Business Administration, Gender and Women's Studies, Classical and Modern Languages departments; liberal arts degrees: pre-professional programs for early and middle years teachers; Justice System Certificate; graduate programs in Rural Development; and general Faculty of Arts information.
Notes
History/Bio information on Pierian Spring taken from an article in "The Quill" (January 13, 1977).
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 7: Faculties and Schools
7.1 Faculty of Arts
Sub sub series consists of items published by the Faculty of Education or written by members of the Faculty of Education, including: Faculty of Education Student’s Directory: October 15, 1976, November 27, 1979; Wednesday Newsletter: September 20, 1967 – November 29, 1967, December 6, 1967 – March 27, 1968, April 3, 1968 – November 20, 1968, November 27, 1969 – April 2, 1969; Teacher-Training Programme General Information Academic Season 1959-1960; Teacher-Training Programme General Information Academic Season 1960-1961; BUNTEP Newsletter – volume 1, no. 2 and volume 1, no. 3; and a pamphlet on the Bachelor of Physical Education Studies (three year degree).
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 7: Faculties and Schools
7.3 Faculty of Education
Sub sub series consists of publications created by the Faculty of Science or written by Faculty of Science employees. Includes: pamphlet on the Applied Disaster & Emergency Studies (ADES) program.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 7: Faculties and Schools
An administrative history for the Westman Multi-Cultural Council is currently unavailable.
Custodial History
The Council continued until ca. 2001. It was disbanded because the Federal government ceased providing grants to the Council. The records remained in the custody of Arnis Kaulins, the Council's last president. He donated them to the Archives in 2004.
Scope and Content
Fonds contains records of various ethno-cultural associations affiliated with the Westman Multi-Cultural Council, as well as material relating to the history of the Council, its constitution, membership directories, grant applications, records concerning the administration of Council activities, meeting minutes and financial records.
Storage Location
2004 accessions
Storage Range
2004 accessions
Arrangement
Files numbered 44-49, 92-99 and 125-129 were not included in the original inventory from the West-Man Multicultural Council. To maintain original order they have also been excluded from the inventory below and the WMC filing system remains in place.
Box 1 – Files:
1. Irish Association of Western Manitoba
2. Irish Association of Western Manitoba #2
3. Western MB Jewish Association
4. Welsh Society of Western MB
5. Immigrant Association of Western MB
6. Hartney Multicultural Association
7. Latvian Group
8. Laotion Society
9. Brandon Greek Cultural Association
10. Lukkenfest
11. Ethnic Organizations – Rural West-Man
12. Folk Arts Council of Winnipeg
13. Canada-India Friendship Association
14. Polish Gymnastic Sokol Association
15. Rivers Ukrainian Society
16. West-Man Highland Dance Association
17. MB Multicultural Resources Centre
18. WMC Flay Display
19. WMC History
20. WMC Logo (Multicultural Folder)
21. Charitable Status
22. Constitution
23. Ad-hoc Constitution Committee
24. Multiculturalism Act
25. Immigration Act
26. Multiculturalism Secretariat
27. Applications for Race-Relations Co-ordination
28. Applications
29. Secretary/Bookkeeper
30. Ad-hoc Nomination Committee
31. Personnel Policies
32. Legal
33. Corporation Act Forms
34. Incorporation Papers
35. Pamphlets, Songs etc.
36. Entrepreneurship Awards
37. Citation for Citizenship Award
38. Goal Aidon Scholarship Fund
39. Quote of Accounts
40. List of Schools
41. Membership Applications and Lists (*RED BINDER*)
42. Reports and Other Info (*BLUE BINDER*)
Box 2 – Files:
50. WMC Directory
51. 2004 Applications of Funds
52. Other Donations Grants
53. Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporations
54. Brandon Area Community Foundation
55. Race-Relations 2001-02
56. Canadian Heritage
57. Ethno-cultural community Support Program
58. Multicultural Grants Advisory Council
59. Record of Employment Forms
60. T-4 and T-4A Forms 2001
61. GIFI Forms
62. Wages – Income Tax
63. Wages – Secretary/ Bookkeeper
64. Travel/Staff
65. Telephone/Fax/Internet
66. Rent
67. Postage
68. Photocopier
69. Office Supplies and Stationary
70. Office Equipment/Repairs
71. Miscellaneous
72. Meetings/General
73. Meetings/Annual
74. Insurance
75. Equipment Rental
76. Dues, membership, Subscription
77. Community Development
78. Cultural Programs
79. Bank Charges
80. Audit/Legal Fees
81. Advertising and Printing
82. GST
83. Miscellaneous
84. Accounts Receivable
85. Bank/Plan 24 Admin
86. Petty Cash
87. 1999 Account Book
88. 2002 Reports
FLOPPY DISKS:
A – West-Man Logbook
B – Workbook for Community Planning
C – CHRC “20 Years” Logo
D – Annual General Meeting
E – Y2000 AGM
F – Constitution/1999 Membership List
G – Activity Report
H – WMC Budget 1999
I – AGM 1999
J – Documents
K – Documents
L – Documents
M – Documents
N – Documents
O – Documents
Box 3 – Files:
100. Meeting Minutes 1999-2000
101. AGM 1999
102. AGM 2000
103. Annual Report 2001
104. AGM 2002
105. AGM 2003
106. 2003/04 Annual Report
107. Annual Reports (copies)
Box 4 – Files:
108. ESL Classes
109. Various Organizations
110. Travellers Day Parade
111. Rural Forum
112. Race-Relation Coordinator 2002
113. Race-Relations Coordinator 2003
114. Potluck Dinner
115. Newspaper Clippings
116. International Dinner
117. IDERD
118. Brandon West-man Regional Winter Festival
Box 5 – Files:
119. Fair (Food Fair)
120. Ethnic Cooking Class 2002-03
121. Ethnic Cooking Class
122. Contact Reservations
123. Citizenship and Heritage Week
124. Meeting Minutes 2001-2003
VHS Tapes
CD-ROM Discs
Box 6 – Files:
131. Invoices 1999-2000
132. Invoices 2000-01
134. 2001-2002 Audit
136. 2003 Audit
Box 7
VHS Tapes
CD-ROM Discs
