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THE JEAN SHEILS—BEN SWANKEY ON-TO-OTTOAWA RESEARCH COLLECTION

RBSC-ARC-1499

AN INVENTORY

IN

UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA LIBRARY RARE BOOKS AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

Prepared by: Erin Coulter

April, 2003

Updated by Nicole Maunsell

September, 2008

Updated by Claire Williams

December, 2017

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Table of Contents Jean Sheils Fonds Original Description ......................................................................................................... 3

Series Descriptions: ................................................................................................................................... 5

Box – File List ........................................................................................................................................... 12

2008 Accession Description ........................................................................................................................ 19

Series Descriptions .................................................................................................................................. 20

Box— File lists ......................................................................................................................................... 20

2017 Accession Description ........................................................................................................................ 25

Series Descriptions .................................................................................................................................. 26

Box—File List ........................................................................................................................................... 27

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Title: The Jean Sheils-Ben Swankey On-to-Ottawa Research Collection

Dates of creation: 1886 – 1995, predominant 1985 – 1995

Physical description: ca 1 m of textual records and other material

Fonds description: See individual accession descriptions (below).

Jean Sheils Fonds Original Description

Title: Jean Sheils fonds

Dates of creation: 1886 – 1995, predominant 1985 – 1995

Physical description: 27 cm of textual records and other material.

Biographical sketch:

Jean Stewart Sheils was born Jean Stewart Evans on 12 February 1927 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

She was the second child of Ethel and Arthur “Slim” Evans. Her older brother Stewart was born on 13

April 1922 and died in 1925 during the diphtheria epidemic in Vancouver. Ethel Jane Evans (nee

Hawkins) was from Drumheller, Alberta and Arthur Herbert Evans was a well-known labour rights

organizer originally from Toronto, Ontario. He led the 1935 On-to-Ottawa Trek during which over 1,000

unemployed men rode the rails to Ottawa to appeal to the government for better working conditions at

the government organized labour relief camps. This Trek ended in Regina on 1 July 1935 when a riot

broke out among Trekkers, supporters, local police, and the RCMP. Jean attended numerous public

schools in British Columbia. After high school, she worked in a variety of jobs including employment as a

flight attendant on Canadian Pacific Railroad steamships, server, sales clerk, and manager of numerous

bakeries for a leading grocery chain. She was working on a CPR ship in Victoria when her father was

struck by a car while he was crossing the street on 23 January 1944. Jean returned to Vancouver to be

with him through his hospital stay, before he passed away on 13 February 1944 at Vancouver General

Hospital from injuries sustained from the accident.

On 13 June 1947, Jean married Seaman Les Sheils of Hornby Island. He later became a Mate and then a

Master of deep sea towing vessels and worked in the North Atlantic, North Pacific, the Arctic, and the

Caribbean. Later he worked for BC Ferries. They had two children: Jane, who died two days after being

born, and Arthur, who was born in 1949 and died in 1984 in a car accident.

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Jean devoted her adult life to the cause her father had believed in: fair work and wages. She was a

founding member of the On-to-Ottawa Trek Committee, which was formed in 1985 to celebrate the

50th Anniversary of the Trek. This Committee was the predecessor to the On-to-Ottawa Historical

Society, which produced a video in addition to organizing the 60th Anniversary of the Trek. As well as

performing volunteer work for the labour rights cause, Jean and Ben Swankey co-wrote a book in 1977

entitled Work and Wages! , a semi-account of the life of Arthur ―Slim‖ Evans. Through her work she

maintained close relationships with several of the original Trekkers, notably Bob ―Doc‖ Savage and

Bobbie Jackson. Jean was also involved in the Hornby Island community, serving on the Co-op Board of

Directors and on several ratepayer boards, as well as being involved with the Hornby Recycling Depot.

Jean passed away on 27 December 1995 at Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Comox, British Columbia, at the age

of 68 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Custodial history: Head Curator George Brandak brought the fonds of Jean Sheils to the Special

Collections and Rare Books Branch of the University of British Columbia Library on 4 November 1998.

Robert Ralston, Literary Executor of the estate of Les Sheils, Jean Sheils’ husband, donated the fonds,

originally housed in a large tin trunk.

Scope and content: The fonds consists of textual material, newspaper clippings, photographs, audio

cassettes, and a VHS video cassette. The records pertain to Jean’s work in the area of labour rights, the

book she co-authored titled Work and Wages!. The records date from 1886 – 1995, although the vast

majority of records were created between 1985 and 1995. These two dates coincide with the 50th and

60th anniversary of the On-to-Ottawa Trek. Most of the records relate directly to British Columbia, with

some records relating to labour rights issues in North America in general. This fonds consists of six

series:

A. Jean Sheils series

B. Arthur and Ethel Evans series

C. Les Sheils series

D. Work and Wages! Series

E. Photographs series

F. Ephemera series

This fonds also contains a sous-fonds, which is the On-to-Ottawa Historical Society.

Note area

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Source of supplied title proper: Title based on content of fonds and name of creator.

Physical description: Includes 1 VHS video cassette, 13 audio cassette tapes, and ca. 150 photographs

and negatives

Physical condition: Many of these records are very brittle and fragile. They should be handled with

utmost care and when time and resources permit, a set of photocopies for users should be made. In

addition, the transcripts of the Regina Riot Inquiry are prone to severe curling and should be routinely

flattened.

Arrangement: The fonds of Jean Sheils appeared to be contents of desk drawers dumped into the trunk.

They had no particular order and have therefore been arranged as Erin Coulter, the archival student,

saw fitting. Approximately half of the records have yet to be processed, so changes will be made to this

description in the future to reflect the remaining material.

Restrictions on access: No restrictions on access.

Finding aid: A box file list is available for this fonds.

Accruals: The creator is deceased and no further accruals are expected.

Related groups of different records in other fonds: Records of Willis Sharpala, an original Trekker who

was also present at the 50th Anniversary celebration in Vancouver, are located in the On-to-Ottawa Trek

Collection/Willis Sharpala (collector).

General note: Arrangement and description performed by Erin Coulter, February – April 2003 and April

2004. During the arrangement, a good deal of material was removed and shredded. This material was

copies as well as records so faded as to be unreadable.

Series Descriptions:

Series A: Jean Sheils Series Description

Title: Jean Sheils series

Dates of creation: 1938 – 1995

Physical description: 6 cm of textual records.

Scope and content: Series consists of records about the life of Jean Sheils, apart from her work with the

On-to-Ottawa Historical Society and the writing of Work and Wages! Files consist of childhood records,

personal effects, correspondence (both incoming and outgoing), newsletters, conferences and events,

associations, clippings and printed material, obituary, receipts, and primary reports.

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Notes:

Source of supplied title proper: Title based on content of fonds.

Dates of creation: The predominant dates of this series are 1985 – 1995. A few items have been added

after Jean’s death including the death certificate and copies of the eulogy.

Series B: Arthur And Ethel Evans Series Description

Title: Arthur and Ethel Evans series


Physical description: 2 cm textual records.

Biographical sketch: This series contains files regarding Arthur and Ethel Evans. Arthur was born on 24

April 1890 in Toronto, Ontario to English and Irish immigrant parents Samuel and Mary Ann Evans (nee

Bryan). Arthur left school at age 13 to support both of his parents, who were of ill health. He worked at a

variety of jobs including selling newspapers, driving a team of horses, and apprenticing as a carpenter.

He left Toronto in 1911, at that time a journeyman carpenter. He travelled west working on farms in

Saskatchewan. He also travelled to the United States where he became involved in labour rights

movements. He was arrested and jailed for three years in Kansas City for reading the Declaration of

Independence at a free speech rally. In 1913, Arthur was shot in the leg by a machine gun at a coalmine

strike in Ludlow, Colorado.

Ethel and Arthur meet while Arthur was working in Drumheller. Ethel had four sisters and six brothers,

and the family was involved in militant movements to establish a union in the coal mining community.

Ethel and Arthur married on 4 August 1920 in Drumheller. They had their first child, a son named

Stewart who was born on 13 April 1922 and died in 1925 during the diphtheria epidemic in Vancouver.

Their daughter Jean Stewart was born on 12 February 1927.

Arthur joined the Communist Party in 1926. In 1932, he became the British Columbia organizer of the

National Unemployment Association, and later leader of the Workers’ Unity League. His opinions of

workers’ rights were not always popular and throughout his career, he was kidnapped, jailed, shot, and

had his car demolished. Arthur Evans is most well known for leading the On-to-Ottawa Trek in 1935.

On 23 January 1944, he stepped off a streetcar and was struck by an automobile while crossing the

street at Kingsway and Joyce, Vancouver. At the time of the accident, he was employed at West Coast

Shipyards as the shop steward in the Amalgamated Shipwright’s Union. He died on 13 February 1944 at

the age of 54.

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Ethel was 68 when she died on 31 May 1965 at Vancouver General Hospital from bone cancer. During

her life, she had sometimes worked as a server and cook.

Scope and content: Series consists of four files of information created during 1920 and 1944. The files

contain an article written by Arthur; marriage certificate; a file with a land deed receipt in Ethel’s name;

and a file of items related to Arthur’s death including cards from flowers sent to the funeral, sympathy

cards, copies of obituaries, two official death certificates, list of injuries, bill and account statement from

hospital. Notes

Source of supplied title proper: Title based on content of series.

Physical condition: Several items are very fragile, specifically the marriage certificate of Arthur and Ethel.

It is extremely brittle and has broken in half into two large pieces. Erin Coulter, the archival student, has

encased it in Mylar and it should be handled carefully.

Dates of accumulation: It has been assumed by Erin Coulter that these records were left to Jean when

her father and later her mother passed away. They were used in her volunteer work as well as research

for her writing, and have become integrated into her own records.

Series C : Les Sheils Series Description

Title: Les Sheils series

Dates of creation:

Physical description: One folder of textual material.

Scope and content: Series consists of material created by or relating to Les Sheils, Jean’s husband. Series

consists of a letter, receipt, agreement, and report. Records were created in British Columbia between

1992 and 1994.

Series D: Work and Wages! Series Description

Title: Work and Wages! Series


Physical description: 2.5 cm of textual records. -- 12 audio cassettes.

Scope and content: Series consists of material generated through the research and writing of Work and

Wages!, a semi-account of the life of Arthur ”Slim” Evans, Jean’s father. The material was created from

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1974 -1977 and Trade Union Research Bureau in Vancouver published the book in 1977. The files in this

series contain rough drafts, interviews, correspondence (both incoming and outgoing), research notes

and material, lists of names of Trekkers and their current addresses, and two copies of the published

book. Cassette tapes are labelled with names of Trekkers, and are therefore assumed to be interviews.

Notes:


Subseries 1: Regina Riot Inquiry Transcripts Subseries Description

Title: Regina Riot Inquiry transcripts subseries

Dates of creation: 1935 - 1936

Physical description: 9 folders of textual material.

Scope and content: Subseries consists of Xeroxed copies of the Regina Riot Inquiry transcripts.

Notes:

Source of supplied title proper: Title based on content of subseries. Conservation: The Regina Riot

Inquiry transcripts are in an early form of Xerox paper and are prone to severe curling. They have been

removed for flattening.

Series E: Photographs Series Description

Title: Photographs series

Dates of creation: ca.1890 – 1995

Physical description: ca. 150 photographs and negatives: b&w and col.

Scope and content: Series consists of photographs and negatives found in the fonds of Jean Sheils.

Several of the photographs were used in Work and Wages! and are copies from the National Archives of

Canada. These photographs and negatives document a variety of people and activities and span from ca.

1890 to 1995. Many of the photographs belonged to Jean’s parents, as they show Jean’s older brother

Stewart, Arthur as a child with his parents in Toronto, and Ethel and Arthur at outings like Communist

Party picnics. Most of the photographs relate to Vancouver specifically with some images documenting

Arthur’s union activities across British Columbia.

Notes:

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Physical condition: The items are in a variety of conditions—some of the older items are crumpled,

stained, or showing signs of deterioration. All of the photos and negatives have been placed in individual

buffered paper envelopes until further conservation and description work can take place.

Series F: Ephemera Series Description

Title: Ephemera series


Physical description: 5cm. -- textual materials. -- newspaper clippings.

Scope and content: Series consists of several files that relate to labour and union subject matter. The

material dates from 1955 – 1991 and generally pertain to Vancouver and British Columbia. Files contain

song books and lyric sheets (union songs sung at memorial services and rallies); newspaper clippings

generally related to labour rights; newspaper clippings specifically related to Arthur Evans or the Trek;

and files of printed material such as essays about Arthur Evans, poverty, unions, and the economic

situation in British Columbia.

Note:


On-To-Ottawa Historical Society Sous-Fonds Description

Title: On-to-Ottawa Historical Society sous-fonds


Physical description: 5 cm of textual records. -- one VHS video cassette.

Administrative history:

The On-to-Ottawa Trek Committee was formed in 1985 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Trek.

The On-to-Ottawa Historical Society was established in 1988 as a non-profit organization to preserve the

memory of labour rights movements, specifically the On-to-Ottawa Trek of 1935. The 60th Anniversary

of the Trek occurred in 1995. The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour organized a weeklong

commemoration of the Trek, which included a declaration of good will from the Mayor, a walking tour

of the area where the Regina Riot occurred, and various speakers and workshops. Several men from the

1935 Trek attended as well as Jean Sheils. Scope and content: This sous-fonds consists of material

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generated by the On-to-Ottawa Historical Society and its predecessor organization, the On-to-Ottawa

Trek Committee. The material was created and used between 1985 and 1995, corresponding with the

50th and 60th Anniversary of the original Trek. This Trek grew out of discontent about the poor wages

and working conditions that were present at military-run relief camps. In the 1930s, unemployment was

rampant and 20,000 men across Canada were stationed at relief camps throughout BC interior and

Northern Ontario. Dissatisfied with pay (20 cents a day) and working conditions, workers began

walkouts and left the camps to come to Vancouver to make their demands heard. There were many

protest and rallies in Vancouver, which led up to the Trek. At the time of the Trek, Arthur Evans was

District Organizer of the Workers’ Unity League, and was leader of its affiliated union, the Relief Camp

Workers’ Union (RCWU). He was instrumental in organizing the plan to travel to Ottawa to voice their

concerns to Prime Minister R. B. Bennett. The Trek set out from Vancouver on 3 June 1935 with an

estimated 1,000 men riding on top of railway cars.

They made several stops along the way in communities such as Kamloops, Field, Golden, and Moose

Jaw, picking up more supporters as they went. 2,000 Trekkers arrived in Regina in mid-June and were

detained there for several weeks. They were not allowed to travel onwards to Ottawa nor were they

allowed to leave. On 22 June Evans led a delegation of eight men to Ottawa where they met with Prime

Minister Bennett. These discussions did not go well and the group returned to Regina. On 1 July, at a

peaceful protest, this tension culminated in what is now known as the Regina Riot, in which 3,000

Trekkers and supporters engaged in hours of street fighting with local police and the RCMP. The Riot left

one police officer dead, several hundred people injured, and thousands of dollars of damage to

downtown Regina.

The Trekkers returned to Vancouver and four men, including Evans, were charged for belonging to an

unlawful organization, the Relief Camp Workers Association. Charges were later dropped, due in part to

massive public protest against the Riot.

Sous-fonds consists of correspondence, minutes, financial records, mailing list, advertisements and

printed material. The sous-fonds is divided into three series:

A. On-to-Ottawa Trek Committee

B. On-to-Ottawa Historical Society

C. On-to-Ottawa Historical Society 60th Anniversary

Notes:

Source of supplied title proper: Title based on content of fonds.

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Series A: On-To-Ottawa Trek Committee Series Description

Title: On-to-Ottawa Trek Committee Series

Date of creation: 1985

Physical description: 7 cm textual records.

Scope and content: Series consists of material generated by the On-to-Ottawa Trek Committee and

their plans to organize a 50th anniversary celebration in Vancouver of the 1935 Trek. The series contains

files of general information, financial records (general); financial records (donations), outgoing

correspondence, and printed material.

Notes


Series B: On-To-Ottawa Historical Society Series Description

Title: On-to-Ottawa Historical Society series



Scope and content: Series consists of material generated by the On-to-Ottawa Historical Society while

carrying out their activities as a non-profit organization. The series also includes a sub-series for the

1992 production of the On-to-Ottawa video. The series consists of a general file, mailing list, minutes,

correspondence (incoming).

Note:

Source of supplied title proper: Title based on content of series

Subseries: On-To-Ottawa Video Subseries Description

Title: On-to-Ottawa Video subseries

Dates:

Physical description:

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Scope and content: Subseries consists of records generated during the creation of the On-to-Ottawa

video, which was directed by Sara Diamond and co-produced with the Women’s Labour History Project.

The On-to-Ottawa Historical Society was involved in researching and fundraising efforts. Subseries

consists of files related to the production of the On-to-Ottawa video: correspondence (incoming),

advertisements for fundraising, production team, and a VHS copy of the video.

Notes:

Source of supplied title proper: Title based on content of subseries.

Series C: On-To-Ottawa Historical Society 60th Anniversary Series Description

Title: On-to-Ottawa Historical Society 60th Anniversary series

Date of creation: 1995


Scope and content: Series consists of a general file, agenda and events, correspondence (incoming and

outgoing), members list, file concerning the Saskatchewan Federation of [description cuts off here].

Box – File List Jean Sheils Series A

Box – File Number Title and contents Dates

1 – 1 General [receipt, letter, deed of land, primary report]

1978 – 94

1 – 2 Speeches n/d

1 – 3 Obituary & related [death certificate, letter, obituary, eulogy]

1995 – 96

1 – 4 Personal records [certificates, letter, membership cards] memberships cards]

1938 – 68 [and undated]

1 – 5 Correspondence – incoming 1976 – 95 [and undated]

1 – 6 Correspondence – outgoing N/d

1 – 7 Newsletters – incoming 1983 – 90

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1 – 8 Conferences & events [biographies of speakers, agendas, letter, applications, forms, expenses, receipt, evaluations]

1983 – 95

1 – 9 Associations 1985, 90, 93

1 – 10 Clippings and printed material 1985

1 – 11 On-to-Ottawa Live Performance Script

1990

1 – 12 On-to-Ottawa Trek Show [flyers, playbills, correspondence]

1987 [most undated]

1 – 13 Les Sheils [letter, receipt, agreement, report]

1992 – 4

Arthur and Ethel Evans Series B


1 – 14 General [agreement, letter, certificate, article]

1932, 36, 42

1 – 15 Spain [resolution, brochure, petition]

N/d

1 – 16 Labour work & On-to-Ottawa Trek [receipts, list of tour dates, pencil crayon drawing]

1934 – 44

1 – 17 Marriage certificate 1920

1 – 18 Death [sympathy cards, hospital bills, letters, order for headstone, death certificate, newspaper clippings]

1944

1 – 19 Personal records [letters, certificate]

1942, 44, 50

Photographs Series E


7 folders Photographs

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Box 2

Box 2 contains Work and Wages! Book, the On-to-Ottawa video, audiocassettes from interviews, a copy of Labour

History (Winter 1993), The Communist International (May 1938), and an audiocassette entitled Hold the Fort.

On-to-Ottawa sous-fonds

On-to-Ottawa Trek Committee Series A


3 – 1 On-to-Ottawa Trek Committee 50th Anniversary – general

1985 and undated

3 – 2 On-to-Ottawa Trek Committee 50th Anniversary – financial records

1985 – 6

3 – 3 On-to-Ottawa Trek Committee 50th Anniversary – financial records – donations

1985

3 – 4 On-to-Ottawa Trek Committee 50th Anniversary – printed material

1985

3 – 5 On-to-Ottawa Trek Committee 50th Anniversary – outgoing correspondence

1985

3 – 6 On-to-Ottawa Trek Committee 50th Anniversary – ephemera

1985

On-to-Ottawa Historical Society Series B


3 – 7 On-to-Ottawa Historical Society – general [letterhead]

N/d

3 – 8 On-to-Ottawa Historical Society - minutes

1992

3 – 9 On-to-Ottawa Historical Society - mailing list

1985 and undated

3 – 10 On-to-Ottawa Historical Society -

1985 & 87

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correspondence – incoming

On-To-Ottawa Historical Society – On-To-Ottawa Video – Subseries 1


3 – 11 On-to-Ottawa Historical Society – On-to- Ottawa video – correspondence – incoming

1992

3 – 12 On-to-Ottawa Historical Society – On-to- Ottawa video – fundraising

N/d

3 – 13 On-to-Ottawa Historical Society – On-to- Ottawa video – production team

1984 and undated

3 – 14 On-to-Ottawa Historical Society – On-to- Ottawa video – correspondence – outgoing

1990 & 91

On-To-Ottawa Historical Society – 60th Anniversary Series C


3 – 15 On-to-Ottawa Historical Society 60th Anniversary – general

1995 and undated

3 – 16 On-to-Ottawa Historical Society 60th Anniversary - agenda & events

1995

3 – 17 On-to-Ottawa Historical Society 60th Anniversary - correspondence – incoming

1994 – 5

3 – 18 On-to-Ottawa Historical Society 60th Anniversary - correspondence – outgoing

1995

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3 – 19 On-to-Ottawa Historical Society 60th Anniversary - SK Federation of Labour [receipt, letter, news release, pamphlet/brochure]

1995

3 – 20 On-to-Ottawa Historical Society 60th Anniversary - members’ list

1985 & 95

3 – 21 On-to-Ottawa Historical Society 60th Anniversary - petition

1995

3 – 22 On-to-Ottawa Historical Society 60th Anniversary - printed material

1995

Ephemera Series F


3 – 23 Song books & lyric sheets 1986 – 95 and undated

3 – 24 Newspaper clippings – generally related

1955, 85 – 95

3 – 25 Newspaper clippings – specifically related

1933, 85 & 95

3 – 26 Printed material 1985 – 89

3 – 27 Printed material 1990 – 95

4 – 1 Printed material Pre 1890s

4 – 2 Printed material Undated

Work and Wages! Series D


4– 3 Material from City of Vancouver police department

1935

4 – 4 The Labour Gazette 1920

4 – 5 Report on the interview between delegation of strikers and Dominion Government

22 Jun. 1935

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4 – 6 Regina Riot Inquiry Commission report

1935

4 – 7 Interviews 1974

4 – 8 Interviews 1974, 1976 4 – 9 Correspondence – incoming –

addressed to Ben Swankey

N/d

4 – 10 Correspondence – incoming 1974 – 7

4 – 11 Correspondence – outgoing 1975

4 – 12 Report on the Rigg Committee N/d [1935?]

4 – 13 Rough drafts N/d [1974 – 6?]

4 – 14 Rough drafts – Chapters XXI – XXIV, XXVI

N/d [1974 – 6?]

4 – 15 Research notes & material 1935 & n/d

4 – 16 Research notes & material 1935, 74 & n/d

4 – 17 Reviews N/d

Regina Riot Inquiry Transcripts Subseries 1


5 – 1 Regina Riot Inquiry transcripts 1 Aug. 1935

5 – 2 Regina Riot Inquiry transcripts - 45 – 112

26 Nov. 1935


26 Nov. 1935

5 – 4 Regina Riot Inquiry transcripts - 91 – 102, 143 – 159

28 Nov. 1935


29 Nov. 1935


29 Nov. 1935


2 Dec. 1935


7 Jan. 1936


Feb. 1936

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Addendum September 2008

Prepared by Nicole Maunsell

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2008 Accession Description The Jean Sheils fonds was donated to UBC Rare Books and Special Collections in 1998, and described in

2003. A large part of the fonds consisted of Sheils’ work on a book she co-authored with Ben Swankey about her

father, Arthur ―Slim‖ Evans and the On-to-Ottawa Trek that he led in 1935.

In 2008, an accrual was made to this fonds of papers that had been used by both Swankey and Sheils. The

accrual was donated by David Yorke of the On-to-Ottawa Historical Society. The files were not organized, and were

received by the Historical Society intermingled with files earlier created and assembled by Arthur Evans. David

Yorke has attempted to return the files to their original order when possible, though some remain incomplete.

When no original order could be ascertained, Yorke organized the papers in a way that reflects the nature of the

documents, their origin, and the relationship to Evans’ life story. The documents created or assembled by Arthur

Evans were removed and consist of separate fonds (see below). The fonds was renamed the The Jean Sheils—Ben

Swankey On-to-Ottawa Research Collection, and an addendum to the original description was created by Nicole

Maunsell.

Dates of Creation: 1920-1995

Physical description: 26 cm of textual material

Scope and content: Accession consists of newspaper clippings, correspondence, publications, and other textual

material used by Ben Swankey and Jean Sheils both when writing Work and Wages! and when participating in later

events commemorating the On-to-Ottawa Trek.

Physical condition: Some of the records in this fonds are fragile and had deteriorated before their arrival. They

should be handled with care.

Source of supplied title: title based on contents of the fonds

Related Materials note:

1. The papers of Arthur H. Evans, which came intermingled with the second accrual to this fonds, comprise the

Arthur H. Evans fonds housed at UBC Rare Books and Special Collections.

2. The papers of Robert Jackson, an On-to-Ottawa Trek participant and activist in the On-to-Ottawa Historical

Society are located at Simon Fraser University, comprising a complementary collection.

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Series Descriptions

Photocopies of Materials created in Evans’ Lifetime Series G

Physical Description: 5 cm of textual material


Series contains photocopies of research material: newspaper articles, correspondence, and other

material related to events Arthur Evans was involved in. These files were used by Sheils and Swankey

when researching and writing Work and Wages! It has been arranged by David Yorke into files by

subject.

Work and Wages!: Interviews by Jean Sheils Series H



Series consists of transcripts of interviews that Sheils conducted with members of the On-to-Ottawa

trek, and correspondence and other material related to the production of Work and Wages!

Commemoration and Education Re: The On-To-Ottawa Trek, Subsequent to 1984 Series I



Series consists of newspaper clippings, correspondence and other materials related to the activities of

Sheils and Swankey in connection to the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the On-to-Ottawa

Trek, as well as projects of the On-to-Ottawa Historical Society.

Box— File lists Photocopies of Materials created in Evans’ Lifetime Series G

Box—File Number Title and Contents Dates

6 – 1 Drumheller Strike 1920

6 – 2 Vancouver Unemployed Demonstrations

1930, 1932

6 – 3 Anyox Strike 1933

6 – 4 Princeton Mine Strike 1933

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6 – 5 Unemployed Worker—Condition note: fragile silver photocopies; handle at edges only

1933

6 – 6 Relief Camp Strike 1935

6 – 7 Regina Riot 1935

6 – 8 Regina Defence work 1935

6 – 9 Vancouver Longshoremen’s Strike

1935

6 – 10 Mine Mill and Smelter Workers organizing

1938-9

6 – 11 Arthur Evans Memorial 1944

6 – 12 Miscellaneous—union lists; labour gazette; Lillooet people

1922-1937

Work and Wages!: Interviews by Jean Sheils Series H


6 – 13 Robert ―Doc‖ Savage: handwritten transcript/notes, photocopies of Savage’s speeches given in the 1980s

August 14, 1974; 1980s

6 – 14 Steve Brodie: handwritten transcript/notes and fragments of photocopies cut up by subject

November 7, 1974

6 – 15 Mike McCauley: handwritten transcript/notes

August 25, 2974

6 – 16 Gerry Tellier: handwritten transcript/notes

November 28, 1974

6 – 17 Perry Hilton: typescript Undated

6 – 18 Garfield Belanger: handwritten transcript/notes

Undated.

6 – 18 Harvey Murphy: handwritten transcript/notes

November 28, 1974

6 – 18 Leo Nimsick: handwritten transcript/notes

Undated

6 – 18 Cedric Cox: handwritten transcript/notes

Undated

6 – 18 Kitty Fordham: handwritten transcript/notes

Undated

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6 – 19 Bob Hamilton: handwritten transcript/notes; typescript

September 17, 1975

6 – 20 Tom McEwen: handwritten transcript/notes

Undated

6 – 21 John ―Paddy‖ McElligott December 3, 1974

6 – 22 Stan ―Pete‖ Lowe: handwritten transcript/notes; photocopy of 1985 memoir by Lowe: Echoes from the Past‖

November 15, 1974; 1985

7 – 1 Harold Pritchett: handwritten transcript/notes

May 24, 1976

7 – 1 Peder ―Pete‖ Rost: handwritten transcript/notes

August 12, 1974

7 – 2 Hal Griffin: handwritten transcript/notes (fragment)

Undated

7 – 2 Jim ―Red‖ Walsh handwritten transcript/notes (fragment)

Undated

7 – 2 Fragments of other interviews 1974-76

7 – 3 Jean Sheils notes from newspaper research on Arthur Evans

Undated

7 – 4 Correspondence regarding research and publication of Work and Wages!

1974

7 – 4 Vol. 1 No. 3 of Labour History, (BCTF), including review of Work and Wages!

1977

Commemoration and education re: the On-to-Ottawa Trek, subsequent to 1984 Series I


7 – 5 1985 Commemoration of the On-to-Ottawa Trek; 1986 Expo presentation

1985; 1986

7 – 6 Later commemoration, including Saskatchewan Federation of Labour 1995

1985-95

7 – 7 Lists of members of the Trek and supporters of the activities commemorating the Trek

c. 1985-1986

7 – 8 Newspaper clippings 1982; 1985; 1995

23

7 – 9 Texts of presentations regarding the Trek and the depression

Undated

7 – 9 Script of an early version of the On-to-Ottawa slide/Trek participant presentation by Tom Hawken (originally presented with Bob Jackson, Willis Sharpala, and Jean Sheils)

Undated

7 – 9 Pp 65-106 of a screenplay, author/title unknown

Undated

7 – 9 Other fragments Undated

7 – 10 Material regarding reaction to Victor Howard’s ―We Were the Salt of the Earth‖

1985

7 – 10 Canadian Plains Research Center

1988; 1989

7 – 11 Assorted material found among the above papers

1985-95

Map cabinet Oversized certificates (blank) for presentation to surviving of the members of the On-to-Ottawa Trek

1985

24

2017 Addendum

Prepared by Claire Williams

25

2017 Accession Description Title proper: Jean Sheils Research Collection

Title notes—source of title proper: Title based on the contents of the fonds.

Dates of creation: 1933-1937, 1983-1994

Extent: 48 cm of textual records and other material

Scope and content:

The research collection contains materials related to the On-to-Ottawa trek of 1935; it consists of

records related to Arthur Evans’ life and involvement in the trek, the On-Ottawa Trek Committee, and

the On-To-Ottawa Historical Society. The accrual is divided into the following series to reflect this:

Arthur Evans Series, On-To-Ottawa Historical Society series and Research Materials Series.

Notes:

Physical description: Contains 48cm of textual records, 80 photographs, and 10 audio cassettes.

Conservation: Many records were found to be extremely brittle and/or decomposing. Where this was

the case, the archivist has photocopied and discarded the original document. Additionally, many

documents were very fragile, and should be handled with care.

Immediate Source of Acquisition: Records in the first accession have been acquired from Les Sheils,

husband of Jean Sheils; records in the accrual were donated by David Yorke of the On-to-Ottawa

Historical Society.

Arrangement: The first accession of this fonds features records from 1895-1995. This accession was

arranged and described in 2003; see the attached PDF finding aid for further information. The accrual

donated in 2008 was arranged and described by different staff; see the attached PDF finding aid for

further information. The backlogged materials, which were processed as an accrual in 2017, had no

original order. Therefore, records in this accrual have been physically re-arranged to reflect the order

represented in this finding aid.

Restrictions on access: There are no restrictions on access.

Finding Aid: The first accession of Sheils records ranges in date from 1886-1995, but primarily consists of

records dated 1985-1995. The finding aid for this accession is available as a PDF. The finding aid for the

second accrual, which include materials from the 1920s to 1995, is also available as a PDF. It is

26

recommended to access both the finding aid as PDF and the online description when consulting records

within the fonds.

Accruals: No further accruals are expected.

Access Points

Name access points: Jean Sheils (Creator)

On-to-Ottawa Trek, On-To Ottawa-Historical-Society, Arthur Evans

Control Area

The accrual was arranged and described by Claire Williams in December 2017.

Series Descriptions

Arthur Evans Series Description

Title proper: Arthur Evans Series

Title note: Title based on the contents of the series

Level of description: Series

Dates: ca. 1933-1937

Extent: ca. 12 cm of textual records

Scope and Content:

Series contains records created or kept by Jean Sheils’ father, Arthur “Slim” Evans. Documents primarily

relate to the On-To-Ottawa Trek, and the Regina Riot. Record types in the series include letters and

telegrams, literature of the communist party, newspaper clippings, and research notes on material.

On-to-Ottawa Historical Society Series Description

Title proper: On-to-Ottawa Historical Society Series



Dates of Creation: ca. 1985-1995

27


Scope and Content:

Series contains records created or kept by Jean Sheils and the On-to-Ottawa Historical society. Record

types include minutes of meetings of the historical society, budget, conference materials, magazines,

pamphlets, handwritten notes and notebooks, fliers, correspondence with other organizations, grant

proposals, materials for the making of a documentary film, transcripts of interviews, audio cassettes,

reports, photographs, and newspaper articles. Series also contains artwork and ephemera related to the

On-to-Ottawa Historical Society, including paintings, fabric, On-to-Ottawa commemorative certificates,

city of Vancouver proclamation in honor of all unemployed, audio-cassettes of programming about the

trek’s commemoration, and a record “A Century of Song: travellers salute Canada’s working people”.

Research Materials Series Description

Title proper: Research Materials Series



Dates of Creation: ca. 1973-1985


Scope and Content:

Series contains records created or kept by Jean Sheils and/or Ben Swankey in the process of researching

Arthur Evans and the On-to-Ottawa trek. Record types include hand-written notes, published articles,

audio recordings and transcripts of interviews, appointment books, photographs, bulletins, fliers, and

pamphlets.

Box—File List Arthur Evans Series

Box-File Number Title and contents Dates

08-01 [Correspondence] Contains postcard regarding Tennyson Poem, “To J.S.”, Correspondence of United Front/ Free Speech Committee, Women’s Labour League, Police commission, and telegram.

1888-1933

08-02 [Correspondence of S.T. Wood to Police Commissioner] Contains reports from RCMP on strike activities.

1935

28

08-03 [Correspondence] Contains correspondence of action committee for relief camp strikers, Arthur and Alberta Evans, union organizations, Workers’ Unity League, and Citizens’ legal defence committee.

February to December 1935

08-04 [Correspondence] Contains correspondence related to defence campaign at the Regina Commission and Trials.

1936

08-05 [Correspondence] Contains correspondence of Arthur Evans related to trial and to communist party organizing,

1937

08-06 [Correspondence of Citizens Defense Committee, George Black, National Committee of Unemployed Councils]

[193-?]

08-07 Tulameen Mine Strike 1932

08-08 Section 98 Trail, Vernon transcript 1933

08-09 Relief Camp Workers Strike 1935

08-10 [Meeting of Trades and Labor Council, House of Commons Hearing, Young Canada on Trial bulletin]

1935

08-11 [Records of Regina Riot Commission] 1935

08-12 Speeches of Mr. T. C. Douglas (Contains speeches made be in House of Commons on Foreign Policy, Conscription of Wealth, Why Increase Armaments)

1937

08-13 [Bulletins] (Contains Notice of inquiry into conditions of relief Camps, Waterfront Strike Bulletin, Heroes of Canada’s Youth poster, There’s Something About A Mountie poster, and Souvenir-Relief Camp Strike poster)

1935

08-14 [Grange and Molland Defence papers] (Contains report of defence campaign by Molland and Grange firm, as well as list of receipts)

1935-1937

08-15 [Statements, receipts, and other material] (Contains Dues Stamps Order slips, statement of speakers at relief camp strike, statement of Miss Elizabeth Kerr of interview with mayor G.G. McGeer, International Longshoremen’s Association (I.L.A.) strike note, receipts for cash loans and donations to relief camp workers union, transfer of licence for motor-vehicle)

1934-1939

08-16 [B.C. Provisional Committee for Defence of Destitute Indians] (Contains blank resolution to provide immediate relief to indigenous peoples in Lillooet country, copies of letter asking for support and aid)

1937

08-17 [Lenin’s teachings about the party] (Contains translations of V. Sorin’s “Lenin’s Teachings About the Party”, a series of 4 lessons on the communist party as seen by Lenin)

[193-?]

08-18 [Notes and Speech for Spain Ambulance Fund Drive] [193-?]

29

08-19 [Motions, memorandums, and other material of Central Committee of the Communist Party of Canada] (Contains possible list of members, requests for literature, memorandums, summaries, reports, and motions presented at 13th annual session of Central Committee of the Communist Party)

1937-1938

08-21 [News articles and Workers Calendar] (File contains news-clippings and newspaper articles related to Trek and strike, as well as a copy of Workers’ Calendar dated 1934)

1934-1935

10-09 [News articles, Official Report of House of Commons Debates, and Unity magazine articles ] (Contains news clippings in relation to Arthur Evans organizing, Estevan Miners strike, and labour movement, as well as Official Report of the House of Commons debates and portions of Unity magazine)

[1935-1936?]

10-10 [Photo-history War in Spain] 1937

10-11 [News articles] [193-?]

Research Materials Series


08-20 [Research notes] (File consists of hand-written notes related to On-to-Ottawa Trek, Arthur Evans, and Estevan Trial)

[198-?]

08-22 [Miscellaneous research material] (Contains pamphlet for Unemployed Workers Centre of Nanaimo, portion of transcript between Jean Sheils and Perry [?], Ben Swankey article in Alberta History Autumn 1979 issue “Reflections of a Communist”, notes on Women’s Labor League, and Merger agreement between United Steelworkers of America and International Union of Mine, Mill, and Smelter Workers)

[1967-1979?]

09-01 [Transcript of interview with George Ritchie] (Contains hand-written transcript of interview between Jean Sheils and George Ritchie)

April 23 1975

09-02 [Transcript of interview with Jim Walsh] ] (Contains hand-written transcript of interview between Jean Sheils and Jim Walsh)

[197-? ]

09-03 [Transcript of interview with William Gee] (Contains hand-written transcript of interview between Jean Sheils and William Gee)

[197-?]

30

09-04 [Transcript of interview with Tony Costello] (Contains hand-written transcript of interview between Jean Sheils and Tony Costello)

March 16 1975

09-05 [Transcript of interview with Hal Griffin] (Contains hand-written transcript of interview between Jean Sheils and Hal Griffin)

May 11 1976

09-06 [Appointment and note books] [19-? – 1989]

09-07 [Photocopied research materials] (Contains photocopies of material from B.C. Relief Camp Strikers, Regina Riot Commission and The Unemployed Worker)

[1934- 19-?]

09-08 Photographs [19-?]

10-05 [Interviews, and CBC Documentary] (Contains audio cassettes of interviews and CBC program)

[19-?]

10-06 [Bulletins, reports, and other material] (Contains fliers and bulletins, the map of Canadian legends, Canadian Plains Bulletin, Solidarity Report of Campbell River, Courtenay and District Labor Council, Death of a Union pamphlet by T.G. McManus, Unemployed? Take Action magazine article by Lesley Silver, Canadian Women at Work Background Paper, flier for The History of the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers in Canada)

1985-1992

On-To-Ottawa Historical Society Series


09-09 [Minutes of meetings, outgoing correspondence, and records of On-to-Ottawa Trek Committee]

1985

09-10 [Minutes of meetings, film production notes and budget of On-to-Ottawa Historical Society]

1989-1992

09-11 [Correspondence] (Contains incoming correspondence to On-to-Ottawa Historical Society, and Jean Sheils)

1985-1995

09-12 [Loose Notes] (File contains notes presumably written by Jean Sheils on speeches, events, research and related topics to On-to-Ottawa Historical Society)

[19-?]

09-13 [Other labor organizations] 1985-1993

09-14 [City of Vancouver and City of Calgary Proclamations: A Day of Goodwill to All Unemployed]

1985

09-15 [Correspondence and pamphlets--Ginger Goodwin Memorial Park]

1990-1991

09-16 [Screenplay – Justice Thunders] 1992

09-17 [Bills paid, forms for Trekkers info and media messages] 1985

31

10-01 On to Ottawa Video ‘A Proposal’ [1990?]

10-02 [Screenplay – Justice Thunders] 1991

10-03 [Newspaper articles and related literature] (Contains articles from Canadian Tribune, The Globe and Mail, The Sun, Ottawa Citizen related to 1985 Trek and to On-To-Ottawa Video production)

1983-1992

10-04 [Pamphlets and ephemera] (File contains pamphlets and materials for On-To-Ottawa trek, On-to-Ottawa video, postcards and business cards, fliers for Jobs Not Charity fundraising concert, Workers’ Memorial Day Programme and Song Book, Tom Wayman and On-to-Ottawa program, Miners’ Memorial Day programs, memorial materials for Ethel Jane Evans, Arthur Ronald Shields, and pamphlet published by the Vancouver and District Labor Council)

1985-1992

10-07 [Newspaper articles] (1 of 2) (File contains articles from The Sun, Pacific Tribune, The Advocate, The Leader Post, End Legislated Poverty, The Tribune, Vancouver Sun, and Folklore Times)

1985-1986, 1991-1993

10-08 [Newspaper articles] (2 0f 2) (File contains articles from Pacific tribune, North Island News, People’s voice, The Northern Star, Comox District Free Press and People’s Voice)

1990-1994

10-12 [Print of Trekkers on Canadian Pacific Railway] (File contains print of trekkers riding Canadian Pacific Railway line, 28 cm x 43 cm)

[19-?]

10-13 [Ottawa Trekker’s Certificate Original] (Contains original layout of Ottawa Trekkers Certificate, 36.5 x 55.5 cm)

[1985?]

10-13 [Ottawa Trekker’s Certificate] (Contains duplicates of Ottawa Trekker’s Certificate 28 x 43 cm)

[1985?]

10-14 [City of Vancouver Proclamation : A Day of Goodwill to All Unemployed]

April 23, 1985

10-15 [A Century of Song: The Travellers Salute Canada’s Working People] (1 Vinyl record)

[1967?]

10-16 [On to Ottawa patches] (File contains two fabric patches, ‘ 1935 On to Ottawa 1985’ , 11 x 33.5 cm)

1985

THE JEAN SHEILS BEN SWANKEY ON-TO-OTTOAWA RESEARCH ...rbscarchives.library.ubc.ca › uploads › r...

Documents

Transcript of THE JEAN SHEILS BEN SWANKEY ON-TO-OTTOAWA RESEARCH ...rbscarchives.library.ubc.ca › uploads › r...