Series SCM-RG-0001-0005 - Swift Current Environment Advisory Committee records

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Swift Current Environment Advisory Committee records

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  • Textual record

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SCM-RG-0001-0005

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Physical description

ca. 25 cm of textual records

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Name of creator

(1883-)

Administrative history

Current's history began with Swift Current Creek which originates at Cypress Hills and traverses 100 miles (160 km) of prairie and empties into the South Saskatchewan River. The creek was a camp for First Nations for centuries. The name of the creek comes from the Cree, who called the South Saskatchewan River Kisiskâciwan, meaning "it flows swiftly". Fur traders found the creek on their westward treks in the 1800s, and called it "rivière au Courant" (lit: "river of the current"). Henri Julien, an artist travelling with the North-West Mounted Police expedition in 1874, referred to it as "Du Courant", and Commissioner George French used "Strong Current Creek" in his diary. While it took another decade before being officially recorded, the area has always been known as "Swift Current".

The settlement of Swift Current was established in 1883, after the CPR surveyed a railway line as far as Swift Current Creek. In 1882, initial grading and track preparation commenced, with the first settlers arriving in the spring of 1883. During the early part of its settlement, the economy was based almost exclusively on serving the new railway buildings and employees. There was also a significant ranching operation known as the "76" ranches. It included 10 ranches raising sheep and cattle and stretched from Swift Current to Calgary. The ranch located at Swift Current dealt with sheep. At one point there were upwards of 20,000 sheep grazing on the present day Kinetic Grounds. The head shepherd was John Oman, originally from Scotland. He donated land to build Oman School in 1913. Other early industries included gathering bison bones for use in fertilizer manufacturing, the making of bone china and sugar refining. Métis residents also ran a successful Red River ox cart "freighting" business to Battleford until the late 1880s. During the Riel Rebellion of 1885, Swift Current became a major military base and troop mustering area due to its proximity to Battleford but this was only for a short time. On February 4, 1904, the hamlet became a village and then a town on March 15, 1907, when a census indicated a population of 550. Swift Current became incorporated as a city on January 15, 1914, with Frank E. West being the mayor at the time.

Custodial history

On 2004 December 2 the records was transferred to the Swift Current Museum.

Scope and content

The fonds, related to the Swift Current Environment Advisory Committee, was acquired by the source during its lifetime. No other information was captured at the time of transfer to the Swift Current Museum.

The content has not been professionally appraised, arranged, or described. The following is a basic listing of the unprocessed contents:
Folder #1, Environment Advisory Cmte: correspondence between the Environment Advisory Board and the City of SC pertaining to motorized vehicle use of property designated as "Urban Reserve" west of 11th Ave. NW; list of native species in the designated area; Proposal for Use of City Property West of 11th Ave NW"

Folder #2: bylaws for Environmental Advisory Board; posters and promotional material for environmental events (e.g. Enviroforum, Earth Day, EcoAction); meeting agendas - June 2003, September 2003 - January 2004; meeting minutes - March, May, September - November 2001, January - May, September - December 2002, January - June, September - December 2003 ; correspondence between Environmental Advisory Committee and the Swift Current Creek Watershed Stewards; document, "Swift Current Environmental Advisory Board Concept For An Expanded Recycling Centre For Swift Current & The Southwest"; newsletter, "Swift Current Creek Watershed Stewards // Know Your Watershed", Summer 2002; correspondence from HELP International re: offer of assistance for intensive tree planting; correspondence between Environmental Advisory Board and Dan Knutson, Engineering Assistant, re: 2003 Litter Cleanup; newspaper excerpt re: Earth Day 2003

Environemnt Advisory Committee members: Dan Knutson, Keith Hanson, Sandy Larson, Bob Jamieson, Cher King, Bix Biederbeck, Else-Marie DePauw, Fernando Selles, Hugh Henry, Irene Enns, Dave Wiegers, Bob Hale, Joan Meyer, Jennifer Stolz

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

Arrangement

No formal arrangement has been applied to the records in this fonds.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

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Restrictions on access

No restrictions on access.

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

Use, reproduction, and/or publication of records are subject to the Copyright Act and the Terms and Conditions of the Swift Current Museum. Please consult the Swift Current Museum for further information.

Finding aids

Minimal fonds level description is listed in AtoM. Until fully appraised and arranged record lists are available through the Swift Current Museum.

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Additional Identifier

A.2004.8

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