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The fonds consists of records relating to the missionary work of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI). Most records were created and accumulated by the administrations of various OMI provinces that have operated in British Columbia: St. Peter’s Province, St. Paul’s Vice-Province, St. Paul’s Province, and OMI Lacombe Canada. Additionally, the fonds contains some records created by the administration of the Vice-Province of Whitehorse. Other records pre-date the establishment of OMI provinces in Canada. Materials mostly relate to Oblate missionary work in British Columbia and the Yukon, but the fonds also includes some records pertaining to Oblate work throughout Canada, as well as records pertaining to foreign mission work (such as materials related to the OMI’s Provincial Delegation of Peru).

The fonds is divided into the following series:
● MS-3396 – Mission and school records
● MS-3397 – Personnel records
● MS-3398 – OMI archives files
● MS-3399 – Writing and research
● MS-3400 – Provincial administrative records
● MS-3401 – Indigenous affairs subject files
● MS-3402 – Multi-media [currently being processed]
● MS-3403 – Publications, grey literature, and manuscripts

St. Ann's School.

SUMMARY: Bell ringing at Holy Rosary Cathedral, Vancouver, ca. 1952.;

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1966-09-14 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Lizette (Mrs. Ralph Hall), a woman from the Carrier tribe, discusses her father, Louis Billy Prince, who was born in 1864 on the east side of Stuart River. His father was a chief until a bishop removed him; she describes the circumstances around that. She describes her great-grandfather, Kwah, who lived to a very old age and was a nobleman. The people who lived on the reserve. Stories about their first encounters with huns and with white people. Mrs. Hall tells the story of how Sir James Douglas' life was threatened after a when the Native man was killed by two HBC workers near Fort George; the incident ended peacefully. She discusses the first priest in the area, named Father Nobili. Her recollections of Father Morice; he returned to the area in 1924 and was surprised at seeing the advancement of the Carrier people. Father Marshall, who came before Father Morice and other priests. TRACK 2: Mrs. Hall continues with a story about Father Morice and a printing press he left behind. Her recollections of Father Coccola, who ran the place with an iron hand, and the effects of his racial beliefs on the people. She discusses the Hudson's Bay Company and its relations with Indians.; Catholic influences on education, and the focus on the spiritual needs of the Natives rather than their bodily needs. The first public school in 1913, which was not run by the Church, lasted three years. Her experiences at the Catholic residential school; the loneliness that resulted from being taken from parents; penalties imposed for speaking their native language; the unsanitary conditions and; food served. The school's aim "to eradicate culture"; how Indian culture was practiced in private. Mrs.Hall relates some stories about the legendary figure Astace. She offers meanings and pronuciations of Indian names. Finally, she discusses Indian village life in the old days, including how winters were spent, and the raids by the Chilcotin people.

CALL NUMBER: T0055:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Rene Marcellin discusses Maillardville and Fraser Mills, 1910-1945 PERIOD COVERED: 1910-1945 RECORDED: Coquitlam (B.C.), 1972-05-01 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Rene Marcellin was born in 1900 in Rockland, Ontario, and discusses his arrival in Maillardville in 1910. Company houses for workers. The construction of private dwellings by millworkers. Working at Fraser Mills in 1918. The various ethnic communities located around Fraser Mills. The growth and development of Fraser Mills. TRACK 2: Description of homes in Maillardville. Problems between Roman Catholics and Protestants in school. Description of ceremonies in the Roman Catholic Church. Working at Fraser Mills. Social and economic conditions in the area 1910-1945.;

CALL NUMBER: T0055:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Rene Marcellin discusses strikes and union work at Fraser Mills, 1930s PERIOD COVERED: 1910-1972 RECORDED: Coquitlam (B.C.), 1972-05-01 SUMMARY: Mr. Rene Marcellin discusses working at Fraser Mills in the shingle mill. Description of the 1931 strike at Fraser Mills, union activity. Support for strike by various groups. Details on work at Fraser Mills. Effect of the Depression on Maillardville. Being blacklisted. Personal philosophy on religion.;

CALL NUMBER: T0013:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Ida Proulx discuses her role as housewife and growth of Maillardville PERIOD COVERED: 1909-1972 RECORDED: Coquitlam (B.C.), 1972-03-29 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Ida Proulx (nee Couture) discusses her arrival in Maillardville (Millside) and early living conditions. Schooling and language problems. Working in sawmills. Description of homes and celebrations. Religious training. Construction of homes. WWI. TRACK 2: Clothing styles. Household work and handywork. Depression of the 1930s. WWII. Working as a cook in a logging camp near Kamloops, B.C. Religious activities. Social activities.;

CALL NUMBER: T0013:0002 - 0003 RECORDED: Coquitlam (B.C.), 1972-03-29 SUMMARY: [No detailed content documentation available for these tapes?];

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Rodolphe Boileau : retired French-Canadian millworker PERIOD COVERED: 1910-1972 RECORDED: Coquitlam (B.C.), 1972-03-19 SUMMARY: Rodolphe Boileau discusses his arrival in Maillardville, recruitment of French-Canadians to work there. Work in the Fraser Mills. Role of Roman Catholic Church in community. Union activity and strikes;.;

CALL NUMBER: T0030:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Arthur Laverdure PERIOD COVERED: 1909-1930 RECORDED: Coquitlam (B.C.), 1972-04-20 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Arthur Laverdure was born in 1900 and came to B.C. in 1909, first contingent. Descriptions of train trip from the east to British Columbia and of early Maillardville. Millworker for Fraser Mills, problems, wages, etc. Description of housing provided by Fraser Mills for workers. Religious education and schooling. TRACK 2: Ethnic groups in Maillardville and working at Fraser Mills. Description of social life in Maillardville. The observance of religious holidays in the Roman Catholic Church. Language problems.

CALL NUMBER: T0030:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Arthur Laverdure RECORDED: Coquitlam (B.C.), 1972-04-25 SUMMARY: Arthur Laverdure discusses Maillardville, WWI, work at mills and as a truck driver, the Depression, the head of unemployed association, relief, attitudes towards WWII, and child raising.

CALL NUMBER: T0030:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Arthur Laverdure RECORDED: Coquitlam (B.C.), 1972-04-25 SUMMARY: Arthur Laverdure discusses Fraser Mills: wages, work, safety, compensation, unions, Chinese, blacklisting. Other jobs outside Fraser Mills including threshing on the prairies, work at a box factory (B.C. Manufacturing), and the Depression.

CALL NUMBER: T0030:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Arthur Laverdure RECORDED: Coquitlam (B.C.), 1972-04-25 SUMMARY: Arthur Laverdure discusses different nationalities in Fraser Mills, employers and employees, differences made between the races, the strike of 1931, food supply, attitudes toward religion, unions, and his personal philosophy on life.

CALL NUMBER: T0030:0005 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Arthur Laverdure RECORDED: Coquitlam (B.C.), 1972-07-21 SUMMARY: Interviewed in French, Arthur Laverdure discusses early days in Maillardville, the arrival of the "Columbiens", and the development of Maillardville. The train trip from Montreal to Fraser Mills. The mill at Fraser Mills in 1909. Problems encountered on arrival in B.C. Building a house in Maillardville.

CALL NUMBER: T0030:0006 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Arthur Laverdure RECORDED: Coquitlam (B.C.), 1972-07-21 SUMMARY: Interviewed in French, Arthur Laverdure discusses early days in Maillardville and the development of Maillardville. The building of the house by his father. Stidies. The first church. Religious holidays. Recreation and amusements. Remedies and superstitions.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Medical missionary work RECORDED: [location unknown], 1976-03-10 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Report on history of St. Vincent's; 1939, Sister Mary Ruth founds 103-bed hospital; member Order of Sisters of Charity of St. John; 1939, Archbishop William Duke, founder of order; 1939 to 1957, directorship of hospital by Sister Mary Ruth; personnel of the hospital; O.B.E. awarded; liaison with eastern Canada; Catholic Church in the community; interview;, the church, Archbishop Carney, liaison, Catholic Hospital Association; BC conference; 1975, 300 beds at the hospital, 10% Catholic; care in hospital; sisters as nurses; advantages of Catholic hospital; healing and faith; holistic approach; hope; dealing with death. TRACK 2: Catholic hospital and the welfare state, cost of original hospital wing; others; Grace Hospital; Dr. Donald Watt and the United Church; 1975 new wing; government; future; equity; health teamwork; Sister Marion MacDonald, administrator from 1957 to the present; Dr. Roy Black. medical director; other directors; unionization of hospital; interns; how sisters became nursing sisters; her daily routine; doctors payment.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Memories of Indian residential schools in B.C. RECORDED: [location unknown], 1979-07-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Sister Norma Jeffs' recollections of her experiences as a teacher: background -- born in Vancouver, serious illnesses as a youth, decision to enter convent; why she chose the Sisters of St. Ann; first missionary experience on Kuper [Island] -- getting to know the Natives, teaching school, staff at Kuper, isolation from the mainland, dreary winters, runaway children; question of whether it was wrong to force own culture and religion on to Natives; experiences in Mission and Kamloops; positive and negative responses from Natives who went to residential schools; teaching the Native children English; some very bright students -- many success stories; differences between Kuper and Mission -- she set up a home-economics class in Mission, Oblates in Mission (missionary men from France); initially many Native parents did not want to send their children to school; canning fruit at St. Mary's Mission; beginning the mixing of boys and girls at school social events. TRACK 2: Sister Norma Jeffs remembers her time in residential schools: complaints Natives have about the schools -- they lost their culture through the church; boys mean to some of the girls; mistreatment of some Native children once they left the residential schools and were integrated into the main system; residential schools sheltered Natives from discriminatory world; language -- Nanaimo Natives now trying to teach their language to youth; many children from residential schools married each other; T.B. was very prevalent among Natives at Mission; difficulties getting money from the government; Indian Agents -- some very helpful; parents did not have much to do with the residential schools; supervising the dormitory at Kamloops residential school -- few problems, the girls listened to her; integration of different Native groups. (End of interview)

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Memories of St. Joseph's Mission, Williams Lake, B.C. RECORDED: Alkali Lake (B.C.), 1979-06-06 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: In an interview with Margaret Whitehead, Lilly Squinahan shares memories of her time at St. Joseph's Mission: typical day; her knowledge of English; sewing own clothes; learning to cook; everything the school needed, they produced (for the most part); Brother Collins; spent nine years in school, but only went to grade 6 academically (ages 9 to 18). Had to leave school to make room for new students. She enjoyed school and believes other students did too. Religion at St. Joseph's. Some children ran away from the school -- workmen would have to go looking for them. Chilcotin children in the school. All her siblings went to St. Joseph's too. Her youngest brother used to run away. Trapping no longer practiced by many Natives. Parents did not come to visit often. Holidays were six weeks. TRACK 2: Lily Squinahan: On holidays, Father Thomas would sometimes come to the reserve -- he was very strict (no alcohol, no dancing). Discussion of other priests. Chief Samson. Chief and Father Thomas had a court-like system set up where people would pay fines and confess to wrongdoings. Little alcohol on the reserve in old days. Chief is no longer a hereditary position. Concluding remarks.

CALL NUMBER: T3531:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Informal discussion on the subject of St. Joseph's Mission School, Williams Lake, B.C. RECORDED: Alkali Lake (B.C.), 1979-06-05 SUMMARY: Interviewees discuss their life at the Mission Indian Residential School. Many voices are heard, making it difficult to follow dialogue. TRACK 1: In this discussion, topics touched upon include: experiences at the Mission school; Sisters teaching at Mission; running away from the Mission; Father Aurore -- intelligent man; loss of the Native language; learning English; hard for parents to visit; Sisters Laura and Patricia were at Mission for many years; girls sewed clothing for themselves and for the boys' school; description of typical day. TRACK 2: Discussion of: Brother Collins; boys had to look after livestock; learning to cook; anecdote about making a fire at 3 am; ironing, washing clothes; mass every morning; relations between boys and girls were limited; teasing by the boys; story about one woman's wedding; visit of Bishop, confirmations; changes in Mission school layout.

CALL NUMBER: T3531:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Informal discussion on the subject of St. Joseph's Mission School, Williams Lake, B.C. RECORDED: Alkali Lake (B.C.), 1979-06-05 SUMMARY: Interviewees discuss their life at the Mission Indian Residential School. Many voices are heard making it difficult to follow dialogue. TRACK 1: Discussion of: train station near the Mission school; Indian graveyard rumours; years spent at the school; working for the Sisters in the summer; graduating, activities after graduation; games played; stories about other Natives in the community who went to the Mission school; boys were dressed as girls if they ran away; differences between lifestyle of Natives in the pre-war years, and now. (End of interview)

CALL NUMBER: T3532:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Memories of St. Joseph's Mission, Williams Lake, B.C. RECORDED: Alkali Lake (B.C.), 1979-06-07 SUMMARY:

TRACK 1: David and Celestine Johnson share reminiscences about their life at the Indian Residential School: going to school as young children (7 years old); learning English; older relatives helped younger ones to adjust; boys sawed wood; children slept in dormitories; Father Boening; clothing worn; boys and girls not allowed to mix; Father Thomas traveled all through area to advise Natives; pictures of ranch where David's father worked; wintertime difficult at the Mission school; older girls made clothes for all other children. TRACK 2: Celestine and David Johnson discuss: girls learned a lot about sewing, crocheting; boys learned how to fix shoes; playrooms for girls and boys; Shuswap language forbidden; illness at the Mission school; Williams Lake was basically non-existent at the time; David and Celestine were in school; burning of the school house, 1908 (?); Father Thomas' money stash; Mission had a lot of cattle; Father Thomas used to come to Alkali three times a year -- spoke some Shuswap.

CALL NUMBER: T3532:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Memories of St. Joseph's Mission, Williams Lake, B.C. RECORDED: Alkali Lake (B.C.), 1979-06-07 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: David and Celestine Johnson discuss: not being allowed to speak the Shuswap language at the Mission school; learning English; Sisters were mainly French, except for Sister Patricia who was Irish; some kids ran away (David did, but not Celestine); getting in trouble with teachers; Mission school was strict, but kids learned a lot; learning to cook and bake; food was different at school than home; sausages on Sundays; Chinook language. TRACK 2: The Johnsons discuss: David learned Chinook on his own; Father Thomas' buggy; their daughter went to Mission school, but it was different from the days when David and Celestine were there; Sister Patricia was nice; girls not allowed to see boys; story of Father Capani; Father Thomas anecdotes; visit from the Bishop; Native church. (End of interview)

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Brother Orland O'Regan RECORDED: [location unknown], [ca. 1979] SUMMARY: [No content summary or documentation available for this interview.];

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Father M. Coffin, O.M.I. RECORDED: [location unknown], [ca. 1979] SUMMARY: [No content summary or documentation available for this interview.];

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Father Patrick Joseph Collins, O.M.I. RECORDED: [location unknown], [ca. 1979] SUMMARY: [No content summary or documentation available for this interview.];

CALL NUMBER: T3533:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Reminiscences of a missionary sister in British Columbia RECORDED: [location unknown], 1979-05-30 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Sister Patricia of the Sisters of the Child Jesus recalls her life as a missionary in B.C.: her background in Ireland; her desire to become a nun; choosing the Sisters of the Child Jesus; journey over to Canada; landing in Quebec, memories of Montreal and Trois Rivieres; had no idea what to expect of the Natives; beginning her life in B.C. at Sechelt -- Father Lepage, helping the teachers, learning about the Natives; impressions of the Native children; going up to Williams Lake -- first impressions of the landscape up there, description of the school buildings at St. Joseph's when she arrived, mosquitoes in summer, very cold in winter; discussion of Fathers and Sisters at the Mission school when she first arrived; Native children at Mission school were harder to understand than the ones at Sechelt; mainly Shuswap, some Chilcotin, differences between the two groups; enjoyed her time at Williams Lake very much; roles of Sisters, Fathers, Brothers; she found the boys easier to teach than the girls. TRACK 2: Sister Patricia: boys were easier to please; Natives were very reserved at first; describes a typical school day; she believes that residential schools allowed Natives to keep own culture; when she was a teacher, students learned practical things -- cooking, baking, sawing wood, sewing; Natives were very good at art; children and staff were always busy -- chores and school left little free time, but recreation did occur in the evenings (not organized games, children used imagination); music in the school; difficult for parents to visit children; believes children were very happy; Sisters made retreat to Vancouver at Christmas; children forgot much of what they learned over the summer holidays; teaching the children English; the Chinook language; going to mass on Sundays. CALL NUMBER: T3533:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Reminiscences of a missionary sister in British Columbia RECORDED: [location unknown], 1979-05-30 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Sister Patricia of the Sisters of the Child Jesus recalls her life as a missionary in B.C.: mass was attended by white people in the surrounding area; description of Father Thomas, his duties, and his relationship with the Natives; Father Maillard was principal of the Mission school; ranch supported the school; received only a small salary; growth of school over the years; development of the Williams Lake area; arrival of the railway; run-away children; relationship with settlers in Williams Lake region; in later years, the school became more integrated with the white community; illnesses at the Mission school. CALL NUMBER: T3533:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Reminiscences of a missionary sister in British Columbia RECORDED: [location unknown], 1980-07-08 SUMMARY: [No content summary available for this tape.] NOTE: This tape (and interview) end with an abrupt cut-off.

CALL NUMBER: T3536:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Reminiscences of an Hesquiat RECORDED: Nanaimo (B.C.), 1979-06-29 SUMMARY: In an interview with Margaret Whitehead, Jimmy John talks about his father's life, as well as his own. Father's background and life story: smallpox epidemic in Nootka when he was young; family was Catholic because Father Brabant lived in Nootka at the time; father's memories of being taught by Fathers Brabant and Stanley; Father Brabant did not want him to go to school because he wanted to teach him himself; attempt on Father Brabant's life by some Natives; Catholic Church built by Nootka Natives; his mother's family from Hesquiat were carvers, but his father was not a carver; how he learned to carve; carved for the Natives, not white people; his first wife -- traditional marriage, wife chosen by his parents; came to Nanaimo to carve silver; first wife died, met second wife (Jimmy's mother); story of how he got land in Nanaimo. TRACK 2: More on Jimmy's father's life: experiences on a schooner -- went to the Bering Sea as a cook, did not get paid much money; shipwrecks along the west coast; used a canoe when he was hunting; early memories of Victoria; always liked to fish; Rivers Inlet anecdote; moving to Nanaimo; back to Nootka to visit occasionally; related to chief line of Nootka's; potlatches; reason his older brothers did not become chief; Nootka's acceptance of Catholic religion; discussion of tape he did about his memories.

CALL NUMBER: T3536:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Reminiscences of an Hesquiat RECORDED: Nanaimo (B.C.), 1979-06-29 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Jimmy John discusses the life of his father with Margaret Whitehead: translating his father's speeches at Nootka ceremonies (from Native language into English); discussion of dancing and singing at potlatches; potlatches forbidden under Catholic religion in early days. [TRACK 2: blank; end of interview.]