Delta Marsh History Initiative, Steering Committee Meeting

9:00 am, 25 April 2005
Home of Shirley Christianson, Portage la Prairie

Present: Barry Bills, Maurice Blanchard, Shirley Christianson, Denzil Gamble, Gordon Goldsborough (sec), Heidi den Haan, Bob Jones, Cynthia Jordan, Winnie Pauch, Glen Suggett

1. Minutes of the last meeting (21 March) were approved by consensus with the following corrections: 2d) “Alvin Vust” should be “Merle Vust”, and 2e) “Jordana” should be changed to “Jordan.”

2. Business

a) Elder’s meeting – It was attended by about five people. We will have to do one-on-one interviews with a few key people.

b) Writing progress report – No progress has been made since the last meeting due to flooding at the Delta Marsh Field Station. Suggett has spoken with Bill Carmichael regarding photos (he has a few, and will help find a family album). Jordan suggested Ken Lyon of Portage la Prairie (857‑6466) as a Tin Town informant.

c) Women’s meeting – den Haan will write a summary of this meeting.

d) Fish Fry – Blanchard’s company will donate items for a silent auction. Goldsborough will make posters (about 100) and deliver them to Christianson for distribution. den Haan will call the RM to insert a note about the fish fry into the tax notices that are going out soon to Delta cottagers.

e) Farmer meeting – The meeting was informative but not especially well attended, but we had the RM Reeve and our local Councilor at it.

f) Fishermen’s meeting – The meeting was informative but, like the farmer meeting, not especially well attended. We should definitely arrange follow-up meetings with Bill Hutchinson and Maurice Blanchard.

g) List of prospective book buyers – There are a few names on the list already.

h) Meighen – Christianson received two copies of drawings or paintings of Arthur Meighen from his grandson (Senator Michael Meighen) for a commemorative display on prominent local politicians that she is planning, tentatively for Fort La Reine Museum.

3. 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 Tuesday, 31 May 2005.

4. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 AM.