Into the North

In this column I wish to draw the members attention to the diverse programs the Women's Institutes have been involved with over many years.

First from the national Newsletter of August 1963 : Roller Skates Wanted

Do you have second hand roller skates  to give away?  The Capnoweta Women's Institute, Fort Smith, Northwest Territories are concerned there is just nothing for the youngsters to do in the summertime in their community. They hope a playground will come eventually, but in the meantime, a cement floor is being put into the curling rink and the WI is planning supervised activities there.

They asked if it would be alright to send out an appeal for roller skates and have been assured it could certainly be done. “Even if some of them need mending”, writes the president, “we could get them repaired here.” They expect the rink to be ready by the end of June.

We are told, as skates would be heavy, the best way to ship them is by rail via Waterways, They would then be taken down by barge to Fort Smith. The Capnoweta WI said they would be happy to pay the charges from Edmonton to Fort Smith.

Baby blankets,sweaters, socks, overalls, pants and t-shirts  are some of the items from the long list of goods that have been donated by WI members and non-WI groups from across Canada to the two communities of Hopedale and Sheshatshui in Labrador. WI members were creative in how they gathered items:

Whether it was a baby shower, answer to a roll call, shopping sprees or using their own skills to knit or sew a large number of items, WI members had fun and helped others in the process.

An unexpected spin off of this project was the interest and help given by women who are not WI members. These women have been most impressed with our project and have given money and material donations.

Financial donations from all parties total more that $13,000.00. Thirty-three boxes have been sent to Hopedale and eighteen shipped to Sheshatshui. There are also another twenty-two boxes to send. These donations were primarily from the eastern provinces, as the FWIC Board agreed to hold the majority of the donations from the western provinces for the Convention in 2006. These items will be distributed to another site in northern Canada. Thanks to all the WI members and the friends of Women's Institutes

Greetings to our friends and all in the Northern reaches of our country!

Ruth Fenner, Provincial Historian, British Columbia Women's Institute