Delta Marsh History Initiative, Steering Committee Meeting

9:00 am, 20 October 2003
Home of Shirley Christianson, Portage la Prairie

Present: Barry Bills, Shirley Christianson, Heidi den Haan, Gordon Goldsborough (sec), Bob Jones, Cynthia Jordan, Myrna Mackey, Glen Suggett

1. Minutes of the last meeting (16 September) were approved by consensus following a minor change: 2b) Information was provided by Russell Denton. Goldsborough will email a copy of the minutes to Winnie Pauch.

2. Business arising from the minutes

a) Nothing to report

3. Delta discoveries

a) Norman Bickell & Bill Watts – Shirley and Stephanie Christianson, Glen Suggett, and Gordon Goldsborough had a one-hour interview with these gentlemen in early October regarding their recollections of Tin Town. The first few minutes were recorded on video but, owing to a malfunction, the remainder was only recorded on audio tape. Mr. Bickell loaned some photographs, which Goldsborough will copy.

b) Cadham photograph – Mackey reported that she has inherited some photographs with a connection to the Cadhams, and will look through them for anything pertinent to Delta.

c) Ora Dunbar – Shirley Christianson reported that she has a story about rum-running at Delta. She is away now but Shirley will contact her on return.

d) Linday McEwen – Cynthia Jordan will forward contact information for this Cadham granddaughter living in Portage la Prairie to Jones, who will arrange an interview, if warranted.

e) Wells Wilbur Lodge – Suggett reported a recent legal problem arising from the attempted sale of this lodge and associated property near Souix Pass, which dates from the 1920s, to a Quebec group.

f) Delta Waterfowl Station – den Haan and Goldsborough spent several hours there to look through photographs in their collection, and to make copies as warranted. They were surprised at the relatively few number of historical photographs, given the age of the facility, and discussion ensued as to whether photos might exist elsewhere, such as at the Leopold Foundation.

g) Delta residents – den Haan will arrange to do interviews, assisted by Goldsborough, with Peter Ward, Joan Hochbaum, and other long-time residents at Delta.

h) Kirchhoffer – Goldsborough recently obtained copies of four photographs of Senator Kirchhoffer that are held at the Daly House Museum in Brandon. One photo is especially good, and he has made arrangements with the museum curator to scan it at high resolution the next time he is in Brandon.

i) Decoy historian – den Haan was contacted recently by a decoy historian and hunter named Larry London from Ontario (who also maintains a lodge at Tin Town), requesting a copy of the cover illustration from the last issue of Delta History News that shows the Duke of York shooting in 1901. Pending permission from the donor of the illustration, Goldsborough will contact him to discuss a possible reciprocal exchange of information.

j) Delta photomosaic – Goldsborough reported on a high-quality color photomosaic of the entire Delta Marsh, extending from the Whitemud River on the west to Lake Francis on the east, that he has recently acquired, based on air photographs taken in mid-August.

4. Other business

a) Newsletter – The next issue of Delta History News will feature an article on Totogan, based on research by Den Gamble. Anyone with other material should pass it on to Goldsborough.

b) Christmas dinner – Plans were made for the Christmas dinner at the field station. It will be held on Thursday, 11 December at 6:00 pm. As usual, spouses and significant others, including kids, are welcome to attend.

c) Other interviews – Discussion ensued on the desirability of arranging an interview with Maurice Blanchard and a follow-up, possibly at Tin Town, with Norman Bickell. They may be held next week, if arrangements can be made.

5. Next meeting: The next meeting will be held at the home of Shirley Christianson (118 Wilkinson Crescent, Portage la Prairie) at 9:00 am on Monday, 17 November.

6. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 am.