Sanna Kannasto was born in Ylihärmä, Finland, and educated at Finlandia University. In 1899, she immigrated to the United States and continued her education at Suomi College in Hancock, Michigan. By 1901, she had relocated to Port Arthur, Ontario, Canada. Kannasto assisted in founding the Canadan Suomalainen Järjestö (Finnish Organization of Canada (FOC)) and worked closely within the organization.
Kannasto, and the FOC, were associated with the Socialist Party of Canada (1904-1925) and the Socialist Democratic Party (1911). Kannasto worked as an organizer, encouraging Finnish Canadians to join the Socialist Party of Canada and the FOC. She traveled across the nation gathering support, and fought for workers' and women’s rights in Northwestern Ontario. Kannasto particularly raised awareness of women’s rights in labour, marital issues, and contraception.
Kannasto was considered a threat to Canada by the RCMP. She was arrested in the early 1920s trying to reach Alberta (Canada), and in 1925 trying to reach Montana (United States). Due to government aggression, by the mid-1930s Kannasto retreated from her political pursuits. Kannasto spent her remaining decades working on a homestead just outside of Port Arthur.
Sources
- Lakehead University. Sanna Kannasto Fonds. https://archives.lakeheadu.ca/index.php/sanna-kannasto-fonds
- Wikipedia. Sanna Kannasto. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanna_Kannasto
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Records created and kept by Sanna Kannasto, from the years 1930-1931. Includes minutes of District 6 (Northwestern Ontario) of the Työlais Naisten Liiitto (T.N.L.), Working Women's League, of which Kannasto was secretary. Also includes correspondence; writings on how to run meetings and how to establish a co-operative; and material produced by other organizations such as the Workers' Unity League of Canada.
Sanna Kannasto (1878-1968) was a Finnish socialist organizer and feminist active in Port Arthur and Northwestern Ontario for much of her life. She was associated with the Canadan Suomalainen Järjestö / Finnish Organization of Canada, and travelled, speaking to workers and women across Northwestern Ontario.
These records provide a small window onto Kannasto's activities in 1930-1931. They may have been hidden intentionally due to RCMP interference in her work.
As records arrived in no discernable order, an arrangement was performed as part of processing.
Records were found on Kannasto's former farm property in the North Branch area, near Thunder Bay, in 2024, and donated to the Archives at that time.
No restrictions on access.
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Minutes of C.T.N.L. Liitto, Port Arthur District. Includes handwritten and typed copies.
In poor condition.
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Minutes of District 6, Työläsnaisliitto (T.N.L.). Prepared by Sanna Kannasto.
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Minutes of District 6, Työläisnaisliitto (T.N.L.). Includes report on organizing working women, and list of 29 communities.
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Minutes of District 6, Työläisnaisliitto (T.N.L.). Prepared by Sanna Kannasto.
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Minutes of District 6, Työläisnaisliitto (T.N.L.)
In poor condition.
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Minutes of District 6, Työläisnaisliitto (T.N.L.). Prepared by Sanna Kannasto.
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Fragment of meeting minutes, written by Anni Manner. No date.
In poor condition.
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Document, written by Sanna Kannasto, giving instructions for how meetings should be run.
In poor condition.
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Document regarding speaking and spokespersons.
In poor condition.
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Document listing important questions that should be answered in establishing a co-operative.
In poor condition.
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Correspondence regarding the use of the North Branch FOC Hall, and issues with permits.
In poor condition.
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Correspondence: Kannasto on behalf of the North Branch FOC Hall, to Communist Youth Organization. 1931-05-04.
In poor condition.
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Correspondence from Vapaus to Sanna Kannasto, regarding subscriptions in the Port Arthur area.
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Correspondence from Työmies Society to Sanna Kannasto, regarding Canadian subscriptions and border restrictions.
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Letter sent from Young Communist League of Canada, National Children's Department, to All District Buros and District Children's Departments. Regarding organizing Free Food Fighters and children of the unemployed.
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Bulletins sent by the Canadian Labor Defense League, regarding action across the country. September and October 1931.
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Letter from the Workers' Unity League of Canada to All Branches of the Woman's Labour League.
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Letter from the Workers' Unity League of Canada to All Branches of the Woman's Labour League.
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Book translated from the English regarding the Russian Revolution. Published in Superior, Wisconsin.
In poor condition.
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Book published in Kuopio, 1921. Title obscured due to damage.
In poor condition.
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Issue #21 of Punikki, periodical published by Työmies Society.
In poor condition.