The Battlefords North West Historical Society is marking it's 90th anniversary this year.
The organization, dedicated to saving the source of history and honouring the pioneer, has submitted this article.
In The Beginning.
From J.H. Greaves Memories of North Battleford, from the Montreal Gazette dated April 11, 1903: "St. John, N.B - Four special trains carrying the Barr colonists numbering 1,960 left here today for the Saskatoon district on the prairies. Rev. I. M. Barr says 1,500 more colonists are to follow and that 10,000 more will come next year." Many settled in the Saskatoon area, some came as far as the Battleford area, others went on to Lloydminster."
In 1903 and 1907 Rev. Joseph Adams led two colonies of Persian/Assyrians to Canada. They had been compelled to escape from Persia due to religious persecution. The first group settled in the area between the Battle River and the Saskatchewan River. A cave in the hill was their first refuge until they gathered stones and built a "house" in front of the cave. There was about 100 colonists in the two groups. They later took up homesteads in and around the Battlefords.
"The car of progress is on the move. Immigrants are arriving yearly, slowly it may be as yet; but still the cry is 'they come.' Hark! May we not say of their footsteps ... 'I hear the tread of pioneers: of nations yet to be: the first low wash of waves where soon: shall roll a human sea.'" - Skyline.
Let us remember that when the first immigrants came to the west, the wind-blown prairies of many years ago were just that - wild, wind-blown prairies. As descendants of those who braved the challenge of an unknown frontier, who built the foundations of our province, who braved hardships that today we only know of through their stories, we must take time to remember and appreciate their steadfast courage. Would we have the bountiful life of plenty that we have today without their courageous endeavours to start a new life in the wilderness of Canada?
After the land had been surveyed at the turn of the century, many more citizens flocked into the west from all corners of Europe, Great Britain, the over-crowded towns in Eastern Canada and the United States. The Northwest Territories were divided into three provinces in 1903. Saskatchewan became a province in 1905 and is 109 years.
The North West Historical Society was established by Campbell Innes in 1924.
Campbell Innes came to Battleford, the most historical area in Western Canada, in 1920. For the next 40 years he and his wife Verna gathered stories, collected artefacts and wrote articles. He persuaded people who were a part of the history to join him in preserving that history. He initiated the preservation of historical buildings, landmarks, and artifacts. The main objective was to document and remember the courageous settlers who came to an unknown land and stayed to build a new future for themselves and their children. Grant McKewan wrote, "He was known to fairly assess and draw the most objective conclusions about the events which featured the most important chapters in Canadian history." His work went on unceasingly until the day he and his wife died in a tragic highway accident in March 1961.
In the fall of 2004 president Walter Kostyna of the Battlefords Historical Society presented the BNWH Society members with a challenge. "The year 2005 will be the centennial of our province, what a fitting time for the historical society to honour those families who established the foundations of our province of Saskatchewan. Those who first came are long gone to their reward, but many of their families have remained and are an integral part of the history of the Northwest. The pioneers and the descendants of the original pioneers are our nation builders. I would like to suggest that the society honour these grassroots pioneers. We can celebrate the 80th anniversary of our society and the birth of our province at the same time."
The book, Nation Builders, has stories and pictures of the honourees.
May 21, 2005, BNWHS honoured 39 descendants of our first settlers, our nation builders. The guests were told, "You are the foundation of our province and deserve what little recognition we could give."
C. Smith wrote, "Your event was a great success. I would like to commend the BNWHS in doing such an excellent job in all the planning and co-ordinating that was involved. I was very impressed with the whole evening. The decorations were beautiful, the food was great, and the agenda was planned to perfection. Everyone I spoke with was so happy to be there and we all had a great time. Even my uncle who was reluctant to go admitted that he enjoyed the evening very much and was proud to be part of the presentations. We are lucky to have such a competent and forward looking historical society in our district."
There were many dignitaries present. Myron Kowalski remarked, "This has been a wonderful evening and it was so well organized, we could use your skills in Regina."
It was also noted that an event of this calibre, honouring grassroots pioneers, was not only a first for Northwest Saskatchewan, but also for the province and perhaps Canada.
In 2014, Battlefords North West Historical Society continues to gather information and artifacts of historical value. There are still many historical buildings in our area and stories that have been safeguarded for the generations to come. It is our hope we will be able to display artifacts such as the bust of Campbell Innes in a safe and secure place at Fort Battleford. We have many safely stored artefacts, but they are not readily available to the public at this time.
BNWHS is pleased to have fostered the printing of books that have been well received throughout our area and far a field and books are available through BNWHS. The Skyline - North Battleford's Golden Jubilee Story was reprinted for the 100th anniversary in 2005. It is also available at the City of North Battleford Hisotircal Archives. Nation Builders features pictures and stories of the pioneers who were honoured in 2005. Historic Battleford Picture Book is a small book of pictures and history of historic homes and buildings. Reflections of North Battleford is a book of large prints dating from 1905 until 2012, including a picture of the first city council. Pictorial Story of North Battleford features sketches and stories by Julian J. Sadlowski.
Ongoing Projects
Battleford council has given permission to BNWHS to take responsibility for the cleanup and possible repairs to the "White House" at the former Government House site. The first project will be to cut down the overgrown trees and foliage on the site. This work will commence in the spring. The restoration will be an ongoing project.
The stories of the 52 "Notables" from the North Battleford Centennial will be put into book form. Richard Hiebert will review the originals and make necessary changes to ensure accuracy. A section on the mayors and picture of the centennial committee will be included.
President Gil Bellevance and others have been checking the historical and military graves in the Battleford Cemetery. Many are in need or care. Some memorial cairns on the northwest slope are in danger of falling due to the erosion of the hill. BNWHS is in conversation on this point with Battleford Town Council.
In 2009 John Jakes wrote, "I often think that far too many Americans today do not know how and why this country came into being-- and, more tragic, do not care." Let that read "too many Canadians!" We must write our stories of today because tomorrow they will be history!
In recent times we have changed the title of the Society to "Battlefords NWHS" to include the area of the Battlefords and the Northwest. Recently two gentlemen from the Meota area have become members. The Battlefords area is growing and also has history to record and preserve. Our membership will be pleased to welcome new members, so please feel free to join us on the third Wednesday of the month (except July, August and December), at 1:30 p.m. at the Lions Den on 22nd Street in Battleford.
BNWHS celebrates 90 years full of history with more to come.
