Born on February 10, 1924, in Elgin, Manitoba, Audrey Ellen Silvius (nee Honeyman) was raised in Fairfax, Manitoba on the Honeyman homestead. In 1964, she received her Indian name, Blue Star. Silvius completed her high school education in Fairfax before moving to Winnipeg in 1943, to earn her Nursing degree from Grace Hospital. She later completed her post-graduate degree in Psychiatric Nursing at the Brandon Mental Health Centre. Married to Merritt W. Silvius, Audrey Silvius raised four children, David, Kay, Lorna (Downie) and Gail (Campos) while working in her chosen field. In addition to her family and her career, she was also involved with the Brandon Council of Women and the United Church in Brandon. Silvius was the first executive director of the Brandon Indian-Metis Friendship Centre, a founding member of the local branches of the Marquis Project and Amnesty International and initiated a project called Tools for Peace. She was also involved in various other peace and human rights organizations. In 1987, she received the Order of the Buffalo Hunt from the Province of Manitoba in recognition of her work relating to women’s issues. In 1992, she was awarded a Confederation medal for community service.
Custodial History
The records found within the collection were collected by Audrey Silvius from a number of people, including Jean Halliday, Grace Godmaire and Norma Walmsley, involved in various projects with her throughout the years. Prior to their donation to the McKee Archives at Brandon University in October and November 2000, the records were stored at Mrs. Silvius’ home.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of meeting minutes, agendas, speeches, correspondence, newsletters, brochures, written publications and newspaper clippings. Four photographs and one pencil drawing are also included within the collection.
The records deal with the creation, activities, and history of the Brandon Indian-Metis Friendship Centre, as well as the activities of its Board of Directors. In addition, materials located within the collection can be divided into two areas: (1) those that relate to various organizations associated with the Friendship Centre itself, such as the Council of Christians and Jews and the Brandon Council of Women; (2) materials related to projects of important individuals involved with the Friendship Centre, such as the South Western Manitoba Recreation Council and the 4F Club of Minnedosa. Other records deal with general aboriginal issues in Canada during the time frame of the Audrey Silvius collection.
Notes
CAIN No. 202607. Description by Christy Henry (2000).
The collection is divided into ten (10) series:
1. The Brandon Indian-Metis Friendship Centre
2. The Scout – Friendship Centre newsletter
3. The Brandon Council of Women
4. Council of Christians and Jews
5. Aboriginal Glee Club/Dancers
6. The South Western Manitoba Recreation Council
7. 4F Club of Minnedosa
8. Miscellaneous Publications related to Aboriginal Issues
9. Miscellaneous Newspaper Clippings related to Aboriginal Issues
10. Photographs and pencil drawing
[This station, located 13 km north of Brandon on the east side of PTH 10, was] built in the early 1930s to replace Knox as the CNR’s mainline station for Brandon. All passenger trains stopped and buses operated between the CNR’s Brandon station and Brandon North to meet all trains. It was enlarged as shown here in late 1930s, and at peak operation in the 1940s & 1950s saw six daily passenger trains 1 - 2 & 3 - 4 “Continental Limited” and 11 - 12 locals. VIA trains 3 and 4 "Supercontinental" ceased operation Nov. 15, 1981 leaving no passenger service on the former Grand Trunk Pacific mainline of CNR [at that time]. This station was demolished in the fall of 1982.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
The building near the back of the train was the original Salvation Army Citadel. Built in 1889, it was purchased by Wm. Graham in 1910 and moved to the west side of the 300 block of 10th St. It had to be moved to build the Prince Edward Hotel and eventually became part of "Billy" Graham's dance hall.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Northern Pacific and Manitoba Railway engine No. 5, with passenger train
.jpg?width=1200&404=no-img.jpg&watermark=wmk)
.jpg?width=180&404=no-img.jpg)
.jpg?width=1200&404=no-img.jpg&watermark=wmk)
.jpg?width=180&404=no-img.jpg)
.jpg?width=1200&404=no-img.jpg&watermark=wmk)
.jpg?width=180&404=no-img.jpg)
.jpg%3fmaxheight%3d1000%26maxwidth%3d1000%26watermark%3dwmk&description=CNR+Roundhouse+After+Storm){kind=link}
.jpg%3fmaxheight%3d1000%26maxwidth%3d1000%26watermark%3dwmk&description=CNR+Station+at+Prince+Edward+Hotel){kind=link}
.jpg%3fmaxheight%3d1000%26maxwidth%3d1000%26watermark%3dwmk&description=CNR+Station+at+Prince+Edward+Hotel){kind=link}
