The Thunder Bay chapter of the Canadian Federation of University Women formed in 1932 and became an official chapter of the national federation in 1933. The Canadian federation is a member of the larger parent organization, the International Federation of University Women. The local club accepts all women who hold a bachelors degree or higher from an accredited university. The goals of the organization are to promote higher education for women and encourage their research and work. The group seeks to increase the interest of its members in public affairs, and provides the opportunity for social interaction and cooperation for women with university degrees.
The club has at times been very active in the Thunder Bay community by establishing study groups on particular subjects for its members to participate in, and having regular meetings and events held throughout the year. Some of the more notable activities of the Thunder Bay chapter include the establishment of a scholarship in 1955 to support Lakehead University Students; the creation of a nursery school to assist under-privileged children from 1971-82; hosting the national conference for the Canadian Federation of University Women in 1977; and the creation of a video honouring their founding president Isabel Mackey Kelly in 1988.
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
- Wikipedia. Finnish Organization of Canada. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_Organization_of_Canada
- Lakehead University. Canadan Suomalainen Järjestö fonds. https://archives.lakeheadu.ca/index.php/canadan-suomalainen-jarjesto-fonds
The Northwestern Ontario (NWO) Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 1978 in Thunder Bay, Ontario. It is currently housed in the former Fort William Land Registry building, 219 May St. South, Thunder Bay.
The former Land Registry building was constructed in 1916. It became a home for the Thunder Bay Historical Society in 1972, and was turned over to the City of Thunder Bay in 1977. In 1996, the NWO Sports Hall of Fame took ownership of the building.
The Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame aims to preserve Northwestern Ontario’s sport heritage. NWO Sports Hall of Fame consists of a museum and archives, and commemorates over 200 athletes, teams, and supporters. Collections and archival documents have been primarily donated by the public. The Sports Hall of Fame holds the memory of various teams across Northwestern Ontario.
Sources
- Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame. Our Story. https://www.nwosportshalloffame.com/our-story
- City of Thunder Bay. Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame & Museum. https://www.thunderbay.ca/en/city-hall/resources/Documents/HistoryHeritageandRecords/Northwestern-Ontario-Sports-Hall-of-Fame---ACC.pdf
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.
Nigel Juhtund was born in the Baltic region of Europe. He immigrated to Terrace Bay, Ontario, and worked in a lumber mill. Juhtund was a naturalist and active bird watcher. From 1952-1985, Juhtund recorded bird sightings in the Schreiber area. In 1990, The Federation of Ontario Naturalists, in Thunder Bay, granted him an award for his bird observations. Juhtund’s bird observation collections currently reside at Lakehead University’s Library Archives.
Source
- Lakehead University. Nigel Jutund fonds. https://archives.lakeheadu.ca/index.php/nigel-juhtund-fonds
Douglas Fisher was born in 1919 in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, and graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in library science. Fisher worked in various fields throughout his life: including as a miner, teacher, librarian, politician, and journalist. During the Second World War, Fisher served in the Canadian military. Additionally, he served as chairman of Hockey Canada. Primarily, Fisher is known for being a political journalist and politician.
After graduating from the University of Toronto, Fisher taught history at the Port Arthur Collegiate Institute. In 1957, Fisher was elected as Member of Parliament for the Port Arthur District, beating the long-time incumbent C.D. Howe. He sat from 1957 to 1965. Fisher represented the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and then the New Democratic Party (NDP), as the party's name and identity changed. Fisher’s political service is known for his involvement in the transportation and shipbuilding industries in the Ontario northwestern region.
In 1965, Fisher began working as a columnist in Ottawa for the Toronto Sun and retired by 2006, after 46 years. As a journalist, Fisher was known for his political coverage and was praised by various politicians. Douglas Fisher passed away in 2009.
Sources
- Archeon. Fisher, Douglas. https://www.archeion.ca/fisher-douglas-3
- CBC. Celebrated political columnist Douglas Fisher dies at 89. https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/celebrated-political-columnist-douglas-fisher-dies-at-89-1.834532
- Lakehead Archives. Douglas Fisher fonds. https://archives.lakeheadu.ca/index.php/douglas-fisher-fonds
- Wikipedia. Doug Fisher (politician). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Fisher_(politician)
Toivo Pajala was born in 1903 in Vimpeli, Finland and educated at Western Bible College in Winnipeg. At age 19, Pajala migrated to Canada; by 1923, he migrated to Port Arthur, Ontario. Originally Pajala worked as a bushworker. Pajala is known as a preacher: first Laestadian and then Pentecostal. He was ordained in Toronto, in 1946. In 1949, Pajala married his wife, Sylvia.
In Port Arthur, Pajala served as the pastor of Saalem Finnish Pentecostal Church (1949-1963). By 1951, Pajala founded a Finnish-language Pentecostal radio program; it reached the rural areas of the Lakehead, including the camps of bushworkers. In 1936, Pajala migrated to Waukegan, Illinois; he worked as a pastor until retiring in 1967. Upon retirement, Pajala returned to Port Arthur. He remained active in the church until his passing in 1972.
- Lakehead University Archives. Tovio Pajala fonds. https://archives.lakeheadu.ca/index.php/rev-toivo-pajala-fonds
- Kahara, Tellervo, and Finnish Pentecostal Church Saalem. Kansanpappi, Toivo Pajala. Canadan Uutiset, 1985.
Stephen (Steve) Mantis was born in 1950 in Reading, Pennsylvania, and immigrated to Canada in 1972. After settling near Thunder Bay, Ontario, Mantis worked as a carpenter and established his own construction company. A workplace injury in 1978 resulted in the loss of his left arm. Employment in vocational rehabilitation followed, including work as an employment services manager with the Ontario March of Dimes.
Mantis founded the Thunder Bay Injured Workers Support Group in 1984. Further organizational work led to the establishment of the Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups and the Canadian Injured Workers Alliance (CIWA), the latter formed following the 1990 National Conference on Re-Employment of Injured Workers. Mantis served as CIWA’s national coordinator from 1996 to 2002, working to build collaboration among provincial groups and trade unions. From 1991 to 1994, Mantis was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Ontario Workers’ Compensation Board.
Additional public service included membership on local roads boards and representation of rural residents on the Lakehead Planning Board. Later efforts focused on education and social inclusion through the creation of the Speakers School in Thunder Bay, a program designed to support civic engagement among marginalized populations, including people with disabilities, First Nations and Métis individuals, single parents, and those living in poverty.
Awards recognizing Mantis’s contributions include the Judge George Ferguson Award for advancing disability rights, the Ron Ellis Award for work in workers’ compensation law, the Credit Union Central of Ontario Social Responsibility Award, and the Canada 125th Anniversary Medal for service to the community and country.
Sources:
- Injured Workers Online. Steve. https://injuredworkersonline.org/stories/steve/
- CIWA. Our History. https://www.ciwa.ca/our-history/
- Steve Mantis. www.stevemantis.ca
- Lakehead Archives. Canadian Injured Workers Alliance fonds. https://archives.lakeheadu.ca/index.php/canadian-injured-workers-alliance-fonds
- Wikipedia. Steve Mantis. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Mantis
Port Arthur was founded as a municipality in 1884, was granted City status in 1907, and was amalgamated into the City of Thunder Bay on January 1, 1970.
Settlers moved into the area along the shore of Thunder Bay and near Fort William through the 19th century, particularly drawn by the promise of resources: both forest resources and mining exploration. The Department of Public Works construction of the Dawson Road westward, to support the Wolseley Expedition against the Red River Rebellion, established the site which was first named Prince Arthur's Landing in 1870. The first Town Plot was surveyed for settlement in 1871.
The Municipality of Shuniah was incorporated in 1873, including Prince Arthur's Landing, Fort William, Thunder Cape, and the townships of McGregor, Crooks, McTavish, McIntyre, Paipoonge and Neebing. The name "Port Arthur" was established in 1883, renamed by Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) officials. The Town of Port Arthur became separate from the Municipality of Shuniah in 1884.
Railway construction and operations, and the construction of terminal grain elevators became highly important to the region's economy, and competition for these facilities developed between Port Arthur and Fort William. Ultimately, Port Arthur was home to the Canadian Northern Railway and then facilities of the Canadian National Railways.
As Port Arthur and Fort William each grew, and grew closer together, the question of amalgamation was raised many times. The City of the Lakehead Act was enacted by Ontario in 1969, and with it both Port Arthur and Fort William would be amalgamated into the new City of Thunder Bay. As of January 1, 1970, the act took effect and Port Arthur was no longer a separate entity.
Sources
- Archeon. City of Port Arthur fonds. https://www.archeion.ca/city-of-port-arthur-fonds
- City of Thunder Bay. Port Arthur City Hall. https://www.thunderbay.ca/en/city-hall/port-arthur-city-hall.aspx
- VIAF. Port Arthur (Ont.). https://viaf.org/en/viaf/261071296
- Wikidata. Port Arthur. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7230482
- Wikipedia. Port Arthur, Ontario. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Arthur,_Ontario