The NWT Mining Heritage Society formed in February 2000 as the Giant Mine Heritage Group when concerned individuals from the Yellowknife community, government agencies, Spirit YK and the NWT Chamber of Mines joined together to formulate a plan for saving the history and artifacts of Giant Mine after the mine ceased operations in 1999. During the summer of 2000, a comprehensive inventory of the Giant Mine property was compiled and was approved by Miramar Mining one year later. The Giant Mine Heritage Group reformed in the summer of 2001 and changed their name to the NWT Mining Heritage Group to better reflect their objective of creating a museum or interpretive centre for mining in the Northwest Territories on the Giant Mine property. During 2001-2002, work proceeded in preparation for repairing buildings at Giant Mine. A cost assessment report by Ann Peters was completed early in 2001, which reported on the cost to rehabilitate the structures for public access. The group also hired engineer, Phil Nolan, of Structural All Limited, to report on how the buildings and equipment at the mine site could be repaired. Between 2000-2002, the group also acquired mining artifacts from abandoned mines throughout the NWT and by donation. In July 2002, the NWT Mining Heritage Group formed a registered society, the NWT Mining Heritage Society. The first annual general meeting was held September 25th, 2002 where the first Board of Directors was elected.
Charles Joseph-Eugène de Mazenod founded the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, a Congregation of the Catholic Church, in France in 1815. In 1841, the first group of Oblates arrived in eastern Canada and by the late 1840s, they had taken their missionary work to western Canada. In an effort to introduce Christianity to the Indigenous people, they established missions in northern Saskatchewan and northern Alberta. The Oblates continued to expand the range of their work, pushed further northward, and eventually established missions along the Mackenzie River and on the arctic coast. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, a number of Oblate Fathers working in the Mackenzie Delta and arctic coast region, particularly Fathers Metayer and LeMeur, began recording the life stories and legends of local Elders and artists. Through the 1960s, 1970s and into the 1980s, the Oblates became involved in a number of other projects to document the history of the local Indigenous population. These projects included gathering genealogical information, traditional place names, and producing Indigenous language dictionaries. In the 1970s, Father LeMeur began working with CBC radio in Tuktoyaktuk. He hosted a radio show that featured legends and life stories of local residents. Often the broadcasts included both Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun and English translations of the same story. The radio show provided Father LeMeur with both a venue to broadcast the recordings already collected and a means of continuing the recording work.
Father William A. Leising, whose work was chronicled in the film “Arctic Missions of the Mackenzie,” which he narrated, died May 10, 2007, in Medford, Ore. Father Leising was born on March 31, 1913, in East Amherst to George and Mary Leising. He attended St. Mary School in Swormville, St. Jerome in Kitchener, Ontario, and St. Bonaventure College (now University). He also attended Blate College of Philosophy in Newburgh, and Oblate Seminary, Catholic University in Washington, D.C. He was ordained in 1940 in Washington by Cardinal Francis Spellman. From 1940 to 1965, Father Leising served as a missionary pilot, dentist and rescuer near Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. He also served as a chaplain to many mining companies. During this time he learned the Dëne Sųłıné (Chipewyan) language and served as a dog sled missionary. He spent his summers as a riverboat pilot and engineer, assisting the bishop on mission visitations. In 1965, after three bouts of hepatitis and a ruptured gall bladder, Father Leising moved to the Diocese of Belleville, Ill., where he directed a radio station.
Sam Otto was born in Morris Manitoba in 1907, one of a family of seventeen. In 1929, at the age of 22, he came to the Northwest Territories to search for gold as a prospector with Dominion Explorers in the Dubawnt Lake area, near the Thelon Game Sanctuary. He travelled far and wide, ending up paddling to Great Bear Lake, where he stayed without a break for four years. He worked for uranium mines and prospecting outfits in the Great Bear Lake region, sailing with the 'Great Bear' and mining for the B.E.A.R. mine at Contact Lake. In 1935 he pitched his first tent on Latham Island in Yellowknife, working at Burwash, Ptarmigan and Con mines, and continued to prospect. In 1937, he raised his first log cabin in the same area where he lived for the next four decades. Also that year, he received his trapper's license after the requisite four-year waiting period. Otto spent the better part of 14 winters at his 200-mile trapline, prospecting in the summer to supplement his income. In the fall (August/September) a plane would fly him out to his trapline near Artillery and Clinton-Colden lakes. The plane returned to pick him up in April. He had a main cabin, ran dogs, and did the rounds of his trapline. Sam Otto also spent one year (1942-1943) working on the Canol project. In 1952 he married Myrtle Ritchie of Edmonton and settled in Yellowknife, though he continued to prospect in the summer. Myrtle had three children from a previous relationship who came with her to Yellowknife: Sharon, Sherman and Sheldon; and in 1953 she gave birth to Lorraine. Myrtle stayed in Yellowknife, running the household, working at Imperial Oil, and expediting for Sam when he was in the bush. Sam died in Yellowknife in 1974. Myrtle remarried, became Myrtle McNeil, and lived in Grand Cache, Alberta. She passed away in Penticton, BC in 1994.
OutNorth was a non-profit organisation that aimed to provide support, awareness and advocacy for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community in Yellowknife.
In May 1997, OutNorth was registered under the Societies Act and held its first Board Meeting. Initial board members included Zoe Raemer, Andrea Markowski, Melissa Cousins, Heather Hay, and Nadine Scott. The volunteer-run group did not receive government funding, but raised funds privately, typically through silent auctions and membership fees. The group grew from about 35 members in 1997 to 60 in 1999.
The organization’s original mandate included the following objectives:
a) to offer philanthropic support to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered community of Yellowknife;
b) to educate its own membership regarding issues of particular interest to lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgendered persons in Yellowknife;
c) to educate regarding the existence, positive contributions, of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgendered persons in Yellowknife;
d) to educate the public regarding homosexuality for the purpose of public enlightenment and acceptance of a diversely populated Yellowknife;
e) to organize and participate in social, artistic, literary and sporting events of interest to the Society's membership
OutNorth operated an information phone line, offered educational outreach with public schools and other organisations, and coordinated social events including Yellowknife Pride, Valentines parties, Halloween parties, movie nights, BBQs, potluck suppers, and glow bowling. In 1998, OutNorth successfully requested that Yellowknife City Council proclaim an official Gay Pride Day. (Other groups and individuals had requested this, unsuccessfully, in previous years)
One of the group's main activities was lobbying the Government of the Northwest Territories for family law revisions. Following changes to the NWT Adoption Act, Family Law Act, and Human Rights Legislation in the Northwest Territories, in the mid-2000s (ca. 2005-2007) the group reduced its activities and transferred its funds to It Gets Better Yellowknife, which became the Rainbow Coalition (now the Northern Mosaic Network).
George Pappas was the proprietor of Yellowknife Bakery from 1950 to 1968. His sister, Esther Pappas, married Ken "Curly" McDonald, a Yellowknife prospector. Photos from Ken document his time at the Outpost Island mine. George Pappas married Helen Pappas (nee Thom), whose uncle was Art Umbach, the Yellowknife postmaster from 1942 to 1963. Art and Elsie Umbach had a son, Russell Umbach. George and Helen Pappas had a daughter, Lynn Carrier.
Suzanne Paré (née Benita Girard) was born and raised on the Canadian Prairies. She trained as a Registered Nurse (RN) and largely worked in urban centres for the first 10 years of her career.
From May to September 1985, Paré pursued an opportunity to work on a summer term contract at the cottage hospital (health centre) in Behchoko. This work included medevacs by ambulance and float plane in addition to regular shift work. While in Behchoko, Paré enjoyed many activities both on her own and with community members, including her three-minute jog to work, biking, sailing on Great Slave Lake, barbecues, bingos, and tea dances. Paré developed deep respect for community members and continues to appreciate the shared stories and friendships developed while she lived in Behchoko.
Following her time in Behchoko, Paré lived and worked as an RN in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, and in various communities in the Yukon. Later in life, she pursued university studies in Economics and was employed by the federal public service. Recently retired, Paré enjoys living closer to nature and developing her creativity through photography and writing.
Suzanne Paré donated her collection of slides to the NWT Archives in 2023.
John Havelock Parker was born February 2, 1929 in Didsbury, Alberta. He graduated from the University of Alberta Engineering Geology programme in 1951 and came north in 1954 to work for Norm Byrne in the mining business, eventually becoming manager of the Rayrock Mine. He married Helen Panabaker and the couple had two children, Sharon and Gordon. In 1959 he was elected Councillor, Town of Yellowknife and served for five years before successfully running for Mayor in 1964. During the period as mayor, then a part-time position, Mr. Parker was also employed as the President of Precambrian Mining Services Ltd. In 1967 Mr. Parker became a Member of the Northwest Territories Council and was appointed Deputy Commissioner to Commissioner Stuart M. Hodgson on March 2, 1967. At this time, the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner positions held cabinet portfolios like their colleagues on the Executive Council. Beginning in 1975, the Executive Council made changes to allow for the addition of elected members. Up to that time the Executive Council was comprised of appointed members. As then Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Parker stopped sitting with the Executive. By 1979, the majority of Council members were elected. John Parker was appointed Commissioner of the Northwest Territories on April 15, 1979. Now that a fully-elected Executive Council was in power, the Commissioner ceased to sit with the (now) Legislative Assembly during formal sessions. In 1981, the Commissioner ceased to join discussion during the Committee of the Whole. In 1986 the Commissioner’s role had been reduced further. He stopped chairing the Executive Committee meetings and was no longer the head of the Department of Personnel. Newly-named Government Leader Nick Sibbeston then became the Chair of the Executive Committee. Also in 1986, Mr. Parker was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for his “significant contributions to the evolution and development both of the municipal government of Yellowknife and of the territorial government”. Mr. Parker is also a member of the Aboriginal Order of Canada. By 1989, when Mr. Parker stepped down, the Commissioner had a greatly reduced role in the day to day high-level decision making of government. Mr. Parker continued to serve on the boards of several northern corporations and was a member of a number of associations. These include the NWT Power Corporation, Conference Board of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross Society, the Evaz Group, and Aber Diamonds. He was Chairman of the Science Institute of the Northwest Territories, Past President and Patron of the NWT Boy Scout Council, a Director of the Arctic Institute of North America, Chairman of the Northwest Territories Coordinating Committee, and a member of the Council of Trustees, The Institute for Research on Public Policy.
Parks Canada was established in April 1973 when the Conservation Program changed its name to Parks Canada; at the same time, Parks Canada absorbed the National and Historic Parks Branch. Before this, the name Parks Canada was used unofficially to describe the functions of the Conservation Program. In June of 1979, Parks Canada was transferred to Environment Canada. In 1986, the name was changed to Parks and in 1987; it changed again to Canadian Parks Service. In 1993, the name reverted to Parks Canada and its functions became part of the new department, Canadian Heritage. The mandate of Parks Canada is to protect and present nationally significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage and to foster public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative integrity for present and future generations.
Brock Hagen Parsons, nicknamed “Rocky”, was born to Frederick and Mary Parsons in Rainy River, Ontario on October 22, 1926. Frederick was a railroader and the family moved to various small towns in Manitoba and northern Ontario as he was transferred every few years. In 1943, following his graduation from high school, Rocky enlisted in the Canadian army and served in World War II. After the war, he tried various things, including attending the University of Manitoba, mining in Flin Flon, and trapping.
Rocky started training for his private pilot’s licence in August 1949 at the Winnipeg Flying Club and received his licence (P-417) the following month. From 1949-51, he flew for Severn Trading in Ontario. Rocky was also the owner of his own Tiger Moth.
Rocky received his Commercial pilot’s licence (C-5667) in May 1951 and flew for Superior Airways from 1951-52 in the Port Arthur-Fort William (now Thunder Bay) area. In 1952, while in Port Arthur, he met his future wife, Mary. The two were married July 20, 1953 and had three girls, Catherine, Gwendolyn, and Elizabeth.
Hoping for a more stable life, Rocky joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1953 and was stationed at Claresholm, Alberta. It was here that Rocky was trained in navigation, something that became a point of professional pride and personal interest.
Rocky did not stay in the Air Force long, but accepted a job with Associated Airways. He and Mary moved to Yellowknife in the fall of 1953 and were transferred to Hay River a few months later. When their first baby was born and required medical treatment, the Parsons moved back to Ontario.
Later in 1954, Rocky accepted a job with Arctic Wings (Trans Air) and the family moved to Churchill, Manitoba, where they remained until 1964. Rocky achieved his Senior Commercial licence (WGS 635) in October 1960 and ran his own company, Arctic Airways, out of Churchill from 1960-1964. Notable experiences included flying Anglican Bishop of the Arctic Donald Marsh on his 6-week tours of the Keewatin and flying medevacs from various communities to the hospitals in Chesterfield Inlet or Churchill. Parsons is also remembered for making Christmas deliveries, as is told in the story “Baseball Bats for Christmas”, written by Michael Arvaarluk in 1990.
When the Parsons family left Churchill, they moved south to Sioux Lookout for a brief time. Rocky studied for his Airline Transport rating (WGA 869) in Winnipeg, earning it in December of 1964.
During 1965-66, Rocky flew for Nordair Ltd., based out of Montreal’s Dorval Airport and servicing mainly Iqaluit and the DEW Line. The family lived in Lachine, Quebec. In 1967, they returned to Yellowknife, when Rocky began working for Bob Engle and NWT Air. Yellowknife remained Rocky’s home for the rest of his life.
In 1970, Rocky moved over to Wardair, then became Chief Pilot of Northward Airlines from 1973 to 1977, during which time he was responsible for training young pilots. Although still living in Yellowknife, Rocky began doing more flights in the high Arctic, flying for Bradley Air (1977-78) and Kenn Borek Air (1978-83), including several trips to the North Pole. On a notable trip May 15, 1982, the Twin Otter went through the ice and although the aircraft was lost, Rocky was able to evacuate the passengers and crew in time. Rocky was also involved in a project with the Geological Survey of Canada, in which they landed on the ice about every 50 kilometers to take readings, all the way to the North Pole.
As he aged, Rocky reduced his work schedule and took contracts with several companies, including Laronge Airways, Nahanni Air, and North-Wright Airways. Throughout his career, Rocky had a strong work ethic of doing things properly and well. He took his responsibility for himself, his aircraft, and his passengers very seriously. This conscientiousness led to his decision to retire at the age of 65. He did not fly again.
Rocky was best known for his extensive experience with the Twin Otter aircraft, but he also piloted many other types of planes, including the Tiger Moth, Norseman, Bellanca Skyrocket, DC3, DC4, C46, Beechcraft Model 18, Single Otter, Bristol Freighter, Gulfstream 1, and Fokker F27. Rocky travelled to various locations for intensive training courses on many of the aircraft he flew.
In his private life, Rocky was a member of the Canadian Legion, Masonic Lodge 162 (Yellowknife), and Holy Trinity Anglican Church (Yellowknife). He enjoyed being outdoors camping, fishing, and canoeing, even toward the end of his life. Rocky was also an avid reader and enjoyed music. He took a keen interest in navigation, even while on the ground, collecting and using bubble sextants. He took great pride in his family and spending time with his grandchildren. Rocky died on July 30, 2019 at the age of 92.
John Andrew Paterson (Jock) was born in Greenock Scotland in 1886. He was the fourth child and third son of Donald Paterson and Elspeth McKay. John studied to become a Chief Engineer before working with the Northern Trading Company between 1911 and 1914. He joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve in October 1914 and did not return to Canada until 1919 where he worked summers on the Mackenzie River and spent winters with his brother Dan at a trading post in Embarrass River, Alberta. He met up with Jack Stark on Great Slave Lake near Snowdrift River where they traded as Stark & Paterson until his return to Scotland in 1928. On returning to Britain, he had a job with Baker Perkins as a servicer engineer and married Mary Rennie in 1929. They had one child, Helen Major (nee Paterson) in 1930. In July 1949, John Paterson died from lung cancer.
David Pelly was born on June 19, 1948 in Toronto, Ontario. He obtained his BSc in Math and Physics from Royal Military College and a BA in Canadian Studies at the University of Toronto. He came north in 1977 to travel, which led to contact with and an interest in the people, culture and history of the land. He has visited almost every community in Nunavut, however, his research has concentrated on the Keewatin (Kivalliq) and Kitikmeot Regions. David Pelly received funding from Parks Canada to do an oral history project on the Wager Bay region. He interviewed residents of Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, Rankin Inlet and Repulse Bay. Between 1995-96, he initiated a project to record oral histories with the elders in Cambridge Bay (Mount Pelly Territorial Park Project).
K.W. Phillips was an aircraft maintenance engineer in the RCMP Air Division stationed in Ottawa.