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Authority record
Canadan Suomalainen Järjestö
Corporate body · 1911-1971

Canadan Suomalainen Järjestö (CSJ) was founded in 1911. Originally called Canadan Suomalainen Sosialisti Järjestö (CSSJ; Finnish Socialist Organization of Canada.) The CSJ is the oldest nationwide Finnish cultural organization in Canada. CSJ drew in Finnish Canadian immigrants who were associated with the Communist Party of Canada and the Canadian Socialist Federation. The Canadian Socialist Federation later became the Social Democratic Party of Canada (SDP). The CSJ published Finnish newspapers, Työkansa (bankrupt in 1915) and Vapaus (in Sudbury, 1917-1974).

In 1914, the CSJ grew to 65 local branches and over 3,000 members, who mostly were associated with the SDP. During 1915, WWI restrictions partially caused a drop in the CSJ membership to 1,867 members. By 1918, in Order-in-Council PC 2381 and PC 2384, the Canadian federal government prohibited the CSJ and deemed Finnish an “enemy language.” The prohibition caused the CSSJ to become what is now known as the CSJ, and they successfully ended their prohibition. By 1921, the CSJ became integral to the Communist Party, although it shifted towards workers' rights. The Canadian government continued to view the CSJ as a threat. In 1940, the CSJ was prohibited again. By the 1950s the CSJ’s members had dwindled to 36.

In Port Arthur, the Canadan Suomalainen Järjestö was associated with the "Small Finn Hall" at 316 Bay Street. Sanna Kannasto was a key figure in the CSJ's earlier years, as a co-founder and organizer.

Sources
Burney, Derek
Person · 1939-

Derek Burney was born in 1939 in Fort William, Canada, and graduated from Queen’s University with a BA and MA in Political Science. He was a Canadian diplomat and served in federal public service (1963-1993). Burney was a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. Burney’s first posting was in Japan. Returning to Ottawa from Japan, he served as senior departmental assistant to the Secretary of State for External Affairs. He served as an Ambassador to the Republic of South Korea (1978-1980). Returning to Ottawa from South Korea, he served as Assistant Undersecretary for Trade and Economic Policy. He served as Ambassador to the United States (1989-1993). Burney played an integral role during the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement (1989) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (signed 1992). Burney was Canada’s first Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney (1987-1989).

Post Burney’s public service career, he worked for Bell Canada (1993-1999), deviated for a short period to federal government service for Stephen Harper’s team (2006), and then served as Chancellor of Lakehead University (2013-2017). As Chancellor of Lakehead University, Burney was an extreme fundraiser, which supported student scholarships and University economy. Burney, and his wife, Joan Burney, donate funds to Lakehead University to enrich new research. Their donations created the The Derek and Joan Burney Postdoctoral Fellowship.
Beadle, Gert
Person · 1915-2001

Feminist and poet, who lived and worked in Thunder Bay. She regularly contributed to Northern Woman Journal, and was well known for her work with the Women's Centre.
Bay Credit Union
Corporate body · 1946-

A credit union operating in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Initially founded 1946 as the People’s Co-operative Credit Union Limited to serve the Finnish-speaking population of Port Arthur. Name changed to Bay Credit Union in 1975.

Abitibi Provincial Paper Mill Employees’ Credit Union Limited was founded in 1951. This became Apple Community Credit Union in 1998, while also opening services to the broader community. Apple Community Credit Union merged with Bay Credit Union in 2014.

The credit union is owned by members and governed by a board.
Bartley, Melville William
Person

Dr. Melville (Mel) William Bartley was a geologist in Northwestern Ontario. His contribution to the development of the mining sector within the region was very influential. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1934, as well as obtaining the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Toronto in 1940. He was the founding Principal of Lakehead University Technical Institute, and was the first chair of the Lakehead University Board of Governors from 1965 to 1969.
Barr, Elinor
Person · 1933-2025

Elinor Barr was a historian, author, and publisher, who researched and wrote Northwestern Ontario history. She was born in Ignace, Ontario, and initially trained and worked as a registered nurse. After receiving a degree in History from Lakehead University in 1974, she dedicated the rest of her life to that pursuit.

Some of her published works include: Thunder Bay to Gunflint: The Port Arthur, Duluth & Western Railway; Silver Islet: Striking it Rich in Lake Superior; The Frontier as Experienced on the Pre-Cambrian Shield: A Study of Ignace, Ontario from 1883-1908; and Swedes in Canada: Invisible Immigrants.

Elinor Barr's archives are held by the Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society.
Armson, Kenneth Avery
Person · 1927-2024

Ken Armson was born in Canada, and educated in England, before returning to study Forestry at the University of Toronto. He joined the faculty shortly after graduation, teaching from 1952 to 1978. He also began working for the Ontario Government through the 1970s, performing a review of forest management practices and playing a key role in establishing Forest Management Agreements between private industry and the Province. Ken’s career with the Ministry of Natural Resources culminated with his appointment as Provincial Forester. In retirement, Ken became involved in forest history work, including founding the Forest History Society of Ontario, and writing a memoir. Ken was awarded an honourary doctorate by Lakehead in 1992, and was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2016.