More than half of the presentation was dedicated to the question of the Indigenous People in Canada, an explanation of their culture and recommendations for action.

The by-laws, however, give the National Assembly considerable latitude. Article XIII, Section 12 reads: "Vacancies in the membership of the National Spiritual Assembly shall be filled by a plurality vote of the delegates composing the Convention which elected the Assembly, the ballot to be take by correspondence or in any other manner decided upon by the National Spiritual Assembly."

On this basis the National Assembly adopted an interesting system of voting which protected the confidentiality of the ballots and proved both rapid and efficient. Each delegate was assigned a code consisting of a colour and a number. A contact person selected by the National Assembly for each region, telephoned the delegates in that area, to advise them of their individual codes and explain the system of voting. Each delegate was asked to send a direct unsigned wire to the National Assembly, containing his or her code and the name of the person for whom he or she was voting. Each contact person phoned back when all delegates in the region had been notified, a week's time being allowed for transmission.

At the National Centre different teams of receptionists and scrutineers handled different stages of the process, so that the names of the delegates and the votes they were casting did not come together at any point in the process. The original deadline was extended an additional three days to be certain that all telegrams had cleared the system. Finally, on December 11, the ballots were counted under the supervision of tellers selected from available delegates in the Toronto area.

Altogether 124 of the 133 eligible delegates cast ballots. Only one ballot had to be regarded as spoiled. In six instances, new delegates had to be recognized to replace those who for one reason or another were no longer eligible to vote. Three of these friends not eligible to vote have left for overseas pioneer projects: Gail Burland, Bud Davies, and Lynn Smith. [Bahá'í Canada No 290 Dec/Jan 1978-1979 p1]

The anniversary meeting of the Society, at which Cree First Nations danced with the skill of professionals, First Nations handicrafts and artifacts were displayed, and a full-blooded Haida spoke. His message was directed to the Native people to take up their responsibilities as citizens, to avail themselves of education and adapt themselves to the encroachment of modern civilization.

The Friends of the Indians (First Nations) Society did much during its 10 years of existence to promote its aims, through monthly meetings to which Indians are invited, through representations to government bodies, by enlightening public opinion through press releases, and through direct welfare and charity when needed. Its present executive committee include a Roman Catholic priest, a Unitarian minister, a Mormon elder, a Bahá'í, and others who are able to work together in harmony and unity. {CBN No63 PE 1955 P3]

The Universal House of Justice has decided that during the last year of the Five Year Plan, i.e. from April 21, 1978 until April 20, 1979 inclusive, Local Spiritual Assemblies being established for the first time, as well as lapsed Assemblies which achieve adequate strength to regain their Assembly status, may be formed at any time during that year. This means that Local Assemblie: formed at Ridvan 1979 will not be counted towards the fulfilment of the goals of the Five Year Plan. [CBN No 314 May 1978 p 4]

As of the 26th of June, 1978, the total number of local spiritual assemblies in Canada were 229. Indications were that the formation of an Assembly in Stratford, ON was imminent. [CBN No 315 June/July 1978 p5]

See [MtC198-199] for a photo.

On that same day Rowland Estall, a Bahá'í pioneer from Vancouver arrived to settle in Winnipeg. He had left a secure job for the prospect of no job during the depression of unequalled magnitude.He quickly secured a position with Great West Life selling group insurance.

Just previous to Estall's arrival, Sylvia King agreed to reside in Winnipeg. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p12, 15; OBCC81]

Our Canadian teachers included the following: Mrs. Laura Davis, Mr. Albert Rakovsky, Mr. Hartwell Bowsfield, Mr. Rowland Estall, Mr; Alan Raynor, Mre. Peggy Ross, Mrs. Lily Ann Irwin, Mrs. Katherine Moscrop, Mr. Fred Graham, Miss Nancy Campbell, Miss Amy Putnam and Miss Winnifred Harvey. [CBN No88 May 1957 p1]

The Master took an elevator ride down from the seventh floor and went for a ride in an automobile to the foot of Mount Royal where they took the cable car where they could see the city spread out below them.

Upon returning to the Maxwell home He read letters from the East.

At a meeting in the evening at Mrs Maxwell's home, `Abdu'l-Bahá gave an address on spiritual brotherhood and the economic principles upheld by the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh which will be the cause of the salvation, prosperity and liberation of the nations of the world. Among the guests were Americans, as well as Turks and Arabs clothed in their splendid robes. [HD242-244]

• AY83 says that Khan left Washington about the 22nd of August to attend an "International Agricultural Conference". There was an international conference 19-26 October 1912.

• It was reported in the Canadian Bahá'í News that Amy Putnam from Hamilton had moved on to the Reserve by April, 1958. [CBN No 99 April 1958 p8]

• The hosts for the presentation were: Al Houdek, Gerry Bourassa; Leslie Houdek, Sandra Kostaschuk, Garry Berteig; Larry Brown, and Valerie Berteig with Dick Stanton as the Tour Manager.
• Travelling exhibit was intended as a vehicle to introduce the Message of Baha'u'llah. They utilized film, sound and slides, as well as traditional art forms. The plan was to have the local communities integrate interested person into the community after the team had made the initial contact. The eight member team made the three month trip in two vehicles, an Econoline van and a station wagon. [CBN No 236 January-February 1970 BE 126 p1]
• The tour continued into the Maritimes for several more months with some changes in the team to include Gale Bundy, Fred Ward, and Bob Kingdon. The tour ended at Rochdale College in Toronto. [email exchange with Garry Berteig 4 January 2020] iiiii

• For a description of this event see BW10:158–61.
• For the programme see BW10:162–70.
• For a list of the countries participating in the conference see BW10:168.
• This event was attended by a number of Canadian Bahá'ís. iiiii

CANADIAN BAHÁ'Í WHO SIGNED THE 1944 CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION REGISTER

Note: The Register had been made by Charles Mason Remey. Approximately 941-971 Bahá'ís signed the Register out of the 1,484 Bahá'ís who registered for the 1944 Centennial Commemoration in Wilmette and Chicago, IL. Most Bahá'ís signed their name and put their city and state, province or country.

1. Charles N. Murray, Ottawa, Canada
2. Madeleine Humbert, Halifax, N.S.
3. Audrey Robarts, Toronto, Canada
4. Beulah S. Proctor, Halifax, N.S.
5. Doris Richardson, Toronto, Canada
6. Laura Romney Davis, Toronto
7. Ethel A. Priestly, Toronto
8. Rena Millie Gordon, Regina, Sask.
9. Siegfried Schopflocher, Montreal
10. Theresa Lillywhite, Regina, Sask.
11. Lotus Peterson, Regina, Sask.
12. Florence H. Cox, Regina, Sask.
13. Edna Colpitts, Moncton, New Brunswick
14. Anna A. McGee, Edmonton, Alta.
15. Emeric Sala, St. Lambert, Canada
16. John A. Robarts, Toronto, Canada
17. Helen Giddin, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada
18. Anita Ioas, Edmonton, Alberta
19. Winnifred Harvey, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
20. Annie B. Romer, Halifax, N.S., Canada
21. I.J. Fox, Vancouver, B.C.
22. Zara B. Phonic, Regina, Sask. [spelling of last name uncertain]
23. Edna M. Hollaway, Charlottetown, PEI
24. Muriel Hutchings, Halifax, N.S.
25. Jean Mosher, St. Lambert, Quebec
26. Maiaret Laurie (Spelling?), St. Lambert, Quebec
27. Rowland Estall, Winnipeg, Manitoba
28. Doris McKay, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
29. Jean Johnston, Winnipeg, Manitoba

• Note: Canadian Bahá'í News August 1961 p10 reported that this took place in 1960.
• "Arthur Irwin became a Bahá'í in 1947 and was a very active Bahá'í teacher to the native peoples of Canada, Alaska, and the Caribbean. He and his wife, Lily Ann, established the first Native Indian Friendship Centre in Calgary, Alberta… He was honoured by the Blackfoot, Peigan, Blood, and Morely tribes in Alberta for his honesty and integrity. A geologist with a doctorate in the field, Irwin worked on Indian reserves in Canada ensuring that fair market value was paid for leases on natural resources (Bahá'í World. 1994. "Arthur Bonshaw Irwin." Bahá'í World. 1994. Volume XXIII)."

• "Their two goals were to gain male Bahá'ís, and increase membership from ethnic communities, longing to be "a truly international group"

Mr. R. Ted Anderson; Yukon and McKenzie Territories, Alberta, British Columbia, and shared Franklin District with Peggy Ross.

Mr. Fred Graham; Ontario, Quebec, The Maritimes

Mrs. Peggy Ross; Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Keewatin District, and shared Franklin District with Ted Anderson. [Bahá'í National Review Issue 15 March 1969 p3]

"...cultivate opportunities for formal presentations, courses and lectureships on the Bahá'í Faith in Canadian universities and other institutions of higher learning." (Canada and the Five Year Plan, p. 14)

• For its history; terms of reference and programmes and publications see BW17:197–201.

Auxiliary Board Member David Smith announced the appointment of Mr Douglas Wilson as Assistant for the territory of Central and Eastern Ontario. [CBN No 287 Aug/Sep 1975]

• For the message of the Universal House of Justice see BW18:161–2.
• For a pictorial report see BW18:151–4.
• A two-member team was appointed by the National Assembly to coordinate the event: Jim Heidema, who was at that time manager of the National Centre and who handled all the logistical planning, and Elizabeth Martin who was made responsible for staging and program arrangements. [HNWE37]

About 1,400 to 1,500 were sent. Advertisements were placed in the local newspapers announcing that the clergy had received this material and that a speaker would be coming soon to speak about the theme, "Christ and Bahá'u'lláh". The only negative reaction reported was from the town of Forest where the Faith was denounced from the pulpit. [CBN No 107 December 1958 p2; UC80-81]

• Note that Shoghi Effendi had encouraged such a proclamation in the British community. UD379 refers.

One night, Shoghi Effendi asked me a question, which I could not answer, nor did I understand its significance at the time. Shoghi Effendi asked me: "Since after the martyrdom of the Báb the authority of the Faith was passed on to Bahá'u'lláh, and after His passing to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, to whom was it transferred after the ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá? I answered, of course, Shoght Effendi. He said no. I then said, the Guardian. He again shook his head. I then ventured the Universal House of Justice. He again said no, and I could see from his expression that he was disappointed with my inability to answer his question. Then he asked, are the friends not reading my letters? The answer he said, is clearly stated in The Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh. It is divided into four parts: Bahá'u'lláh, the Báb, 'Abdu'l-Bahá and the fourth part is entitled "The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh", which is the answer to his question". [TG72]

Note: In actual fact, the fourth part of The Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh is entitled "The Administrative Order" The explanation is in The Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh, (BPT-Wilmette 1970) page 55-56.

The objectives of Canada's Plan were:

1. Opening following virgin territories eleven North America: Anticosti Island, Baranof Island, Cape Breton Island, Franklin, Grand Manan Island, Keewatin, Labrador, Magdalen Islands, Miquelon Island and St. Pierre Island, Queen Charlotte Islands, Yukon;
   Opening two Asias Marquesas Islands, Samoa Islands.
2. Consolidation faith Iceland, Greenland, Mackenzie, Newfoundland.
3. "purchase of the site of the Mother Temple of the Dominion of Canada" as well as the National Hazíratu'l-Quds. [MC18-183]
4. Establishment national Bahá'í endowments.
5. Doubling number local spiritual assemblies.
6. Raising number incorporated spiritual assemblies nineteen.
7. Formation Israel branch Canadian National Spiritual Assembly.
8. Establishment American Asian teaching committees entrusted task stimulate coordinate teaching activities initiated plan.

"Appeal members entire community worthy allies chief executors Abdu'l-Bahá's divine plan dedicate themselves immediate requirements steadily unfolding mission discharge nobly sacred strenuous tasks ahead contribute memorable share prosecution decade long world spiritual crusade pay befitting tribute through future accomplishments memory founder faith occasion most great jubilee commemorating centenary declaration his mission city Baghdad."
(signed) Shoghi

• The Gulf Islands were not on the Guardians original list of pioneering goals but in January 1956, after several years of futile efforts to fill the goal of the Anticosti Island the Guardian gat the Canadian National Assembly permission to choose another goal. Mary Zabolotny did manage to fill the Anticosti goal but the Gulf Island goal remained.
• They arrived with personal care worker Bernice Boulding who became a Bahá'í the following year, the first in the Gulf Islands. The first local assembly was formed on the 21st of April, 1964. The couple pioneered to St Helena arriving on the 9th of April, 1964. [KoB273-276]

The Canadian Bahá'í community elected 171 delegates at the Unit Conventions, as instructed by the Universal House of Justice. Of the 171 delegates, 164 cast ballots to elect the National Assembly. Of the 164, 155 cast their ballots in person at the Convention. Canada's 43rd annual National Convention will be remembered for many reasons, but especially for its focus on teaching French Canadians and Natives. [BC Vol 4 No 2 June 1991 P3]

• On his way from Churchill, Manitoba, to his pioneer post at Baker Lake, Dick Stanton presented a copy of Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era to the library of the Hudson Bay vessel which serviced that northern outpost. [BN No 276 November 1953 p4]

• The grave of Edward William Harris (b.19 March 1871, London, England, d. 22 March, 1922) is marked with a tombstone bearing The Greatest Name. [OBCC128]
• Find a grave for his wife Annie.
• And for their son, Edward William Harris, the Younger.

• This book is not available for purchase but can be read at Bahaiworks.

A group of lectures were given on the life and work of Hand of the Cause Mr. Hasan Balyuzi. Dr. Abbas Afnan and Dr. Muhammed Afnan, both of whom are relations of Mr. Balyuzi and belong to the family of the Blessed Bab, talked about Mr. Balyuzi's illustrious lineage. Hand of the Cause of God, Mr. John Robarts provided an appreciation of Mr. Balyuzi's service as a member of the Institution of the Hands of the Cause. Mr. Douglas Martin gave the final talk of the lectureship session reviewing the immense work of Mr. Balyuzi as an historian. The Association has established a continuing lectureship in Bahá'í history, in Mr. Balyuzi's honour.

Another new feature of the annual conference was the presentation of awards for the three best essays and research on Bahá'í studies. Catherine Nelson-McDermott of British Columbia was the recipient of an award for the best essay in the high school category for her paper, "Tahirih". Alanna Robertson of Prince Edward Island was chosen in the univer- sity category for her essay entitled; "Music: Its Influence on the Spirit". Robert Stockman of Rhode Island received the award for the best research in the individual category for his work, "'A History of the Rhode Island Baha'i Community". Each winner was the guest of the Association, presented his/ her paper during the conference, and received a commemo- rative plaque.

The presentations on the theme of history were very well received. Dr. Alan Ward's talk, "'Abdu'1l-Bahá and the American Press", set the tone of the conference, with ease, humour and clarity. Gol Aidun recounted the relationship of Manakji Limji Hataria, an historical figure in the Zoroastrian community, with the Bahá'í Faith. Stephen Whitney's paper entitled "The Second Century", reviewed the condition of the major religions in their second century of existence and compared their history to the second century of the Bahá'í Faith. A major presentation by Dr. Jean-René Milot of the University of Montreal entitled "L'Origine de la foi baha'i sur l'arriére plan shi'ie", was given. This talk by an invited guest speaker enabled the friends to witness the accuracy and fairness with which truly informed non-Baha'i scholars could view the Bahá'í Faith.

The panel presentation on ''Baha'i Scholarship" was inaugurated this year and was very successful. A special addition was a presentation by Mr. Richard St. Barbe Baker en- titled ''The Founding of the Men of the Trees".

News of the decision to proceed at once with the planned purchase of a building to house the offices of the Association and gradually expand into a Centre for Baha'i Studies gave a final note of excitement and confirmation to the year's proceedings. [BCVol 2 No 12 September/October 1980 p29]

An address entitled "Consultation - An Adventure in Mature Discussion" was delivered by Elsie Austin. [CBN No 18 March 1951 p6]

The varied program provided daily talks and discussions based on the outline 'Deepening the Spiritual Life'; study of the first part of 'The Promised Day Is Come' (led by Miss Winnifred Harvey); separate talks on 'Bahá'í Administration' (Siegfried Schopflocher, Ragnar Mattson, and Lou Boudler); 'Bahá'í Attitude towards Christianity' (Mrs. Agnes King); and 'Post-War Reconstruction' (John De Mille). Lorol Schopflocher contributed an account of her journeys to Central America and the British West Indies, and Emeric and Rosemary Sala gave us stories of their experiences in Venezuela and Columbia. [OBCC268; BW9:28; TG84; BN No 149 December 1941 p5; OBCC189]

The following reports were received on her teaching trip:

In Belleville she was interviewed on the radio, spoke to 250 Upper School Students in the collegiate Institute and at a public meeting in the YMCA.

In Kingston she spoke at a public meeting in the La Salle Hotel. gave a 15-minute talk on the radio and made contacts with members of the Professional Women's Club, the Chamber of Commerce and the Junior Chamber of Commerce.

In spite of sub-zero weather in the Montreal area, good attendance was reported at public meetings in the Maxwell Home, the new Public Library in St. Lamber and in Westmount. Her meetings with Bahá'ís brought new enthusiasm and vigour to the believers in the Greater Montreal area. Tape recordings were made at stations CFCF and CJAD and an interview with the Montreal Gazette was arranged.

In Quebec City, Kay Samuels, Quebec City's only Bahá'í, arranged a public meeting for Mrs Mayberry in the Chateau Frontenac and an interview with a reporter from the Quebec Chronicle.

The Rotary Club in Charlottetown heard a talk from her and asked for a return visit. She also spoke over the radio and at a public meeting in Charlottetown.

Ingersoll friends were able to arrange a television interview for Mrs Mayberry. when she appeared on the Paul Soles program, gave a 15-minute presentation of the Faith and answered questions asked by Mr Solels.

In Hamilton, Mrs Mayberry spoke to an audience of over fifty at a public meeting and met with the friends at a potluck supper at the Graham home.

Molly and Ted Oliver, the only Bahá'ís in Peterborough, are holding regular firesides and public meetings. Five non-Bahá;ís were present for Mrs Mayberry's welcome visit there [CBN No 51 April, 1954 p5]

It would appear that she made a stop in Toronto as well. This report from Wikipedia recounts an incident when an audience member challenged her on the topic of the Anti-Christ. Her reply was that "…anyone, even a Christian declaring fealty to Jesus Christ, who denies that [returned] Holy Spirit is Anti-Christ. Baháʼís believe Baháʼu'lláh is that Return." Her autobiography, The Great Adventure p127-130 confirms this.

She started the tour in British Columbia where she spoke to the Canadian Author’s Association in Victoria and then Vancouver. In Vernon she spoke to the Kiwanis Club. Public meetings or firesides were held in Calgary, Regina, Moose Jaw, and in In Saskatoon the Business and Professional Women’s Club heard a presentation on the Faith. She made stop in Brandon, and ended her tour in Winnipeg where she met Angus Cowan. in Brandon she stayed at the Prince Edward Hotel and gave a talk to a large gathering that was recorded by the Brandon newspaper. In Brandon, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, Vernon and Winnipeg radio talks or interviews were arranged. [BN No 275 January 1954 p5; Report to the University of Brandon; CBN No 47 December 1953 p4]

• Visits were also made to Winnipeg,London, Ottawa, Toronto, and Kingston and others. [CBN No 42 July, 1954 p5]
• The tour concluded in the Maritimes with visits to Moncton and lastly Saint John. [CBN No 43 August, 1953 p2]

For a list of functioning local spiritual assemblies see CBN No 22 October 1951 p8.

• In the months and years that followed their relatives enrolled in the Faith. It can be said that the Graham family established the first dynasty in Canada.
• 1952 November 2: Fred's mother Florence as well as Fred's sister Jeanie and her husband Orv Seddon enrolled. [UC35]

Mrs Audrey Rayne presided at the name-giving ceremony for the two children of Mr and Mrs K Ross in Halifax. [CBN No 110 March 1959 p3]

He also pioneered to Honduras and later to Colombia. In the middle of 1940's Gerrard Sluter was removed from the rolls by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Shoghi Effendi later declared him a Covenant-breaker for his persistent political involvement. Later Sluter appealed to the judicial courts of Colombia to demand the cancellation of the legal status of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Bogota. He failed in all his lawsuits against the Assembly. [BNVol2p315]. Note: This reference is not correct and is currently under investigation.

The office of the U.S. Archives provided the following information:

..., During 1946 and 1947 he wrote copiously to the U.S. National Assembly and to the Inter-America Teaching Committee, making diffuse accusations against those bodies and against several Bahá’ís in Colombia.... The last message we found from the US National Assembly to Sluter is dated January 10, 1947; it counseled him to moderate his actions and referred to an earlier decision by the Bogota Assembly... The correspondence with Sluter in both the NSA and Inter-America Teaching Committee files ends in 1947. [from an email from Edward Sevcik, Archivist, 2025 May]

Later she married John Neilsen, a Dane, and they pioneered to Greenland. [CBN No 196 May 1966 p6]

• During May, in the course of a trip through Canada, Hand of the Cause Hasan Balyuzi visited a number of Indian Reserves. Accompanied by two members of the National Eskimo and Indian Teaching Committee of Canada, he stopped at the Poorman Reserve in Saskatchewan where a pow-wow was held in his honour and also at the Muscowpetung Reserve. Earlier he had visited Ontario Indians, and later he went on to the Peigan Reserve in Alberta, and to British Columbia.

  Mr. Balyuzi's talks were simple and direct, and appealed to the hearts of the many who came to hear him. At the Poorman Reserve, the chief and his wife walked three miles to meet him. There the Hand of the Cause, a relative of the Báb Himself, and thus a relative of beloved Shoghi Effendi, expressed gratitude to the Guardian for making the meeting possible. [Bahá'í News No 366 September 1961 118 BE p9]

• See How I Became a Bahá'í in SoW Vol 15 No 12 March 1925 p363-364.
• See Helen Frances Grand (1865-1944): Traces of a Bahá'í Life, a short biographical essay.by Marlene Macke.

The conference began with a presentation by Dr. Victor de Araujo entitled, "Health: A Global Perspective". Dr. Hossain Danesh then presented a review of the historical relationship between religion and science in general and the science of medicine in particular. These two talks set the tone and direction of the conference.

For the remaining two and a half days, the participants were treated to an array of challenging, informative and well-researched presentations such as: "Mind, Body and Soul" by Dr. Faraneh Khadem; "The Baha'i Revelation and Lifestyle Alternation" by Dr. David Smith; "Adolescent Quest for Tranquility: the Dilemma of Drug Abuse" by Dr. A. M. Ghadirian; ''Scientific Method of Search for Truth" by Dr. Peter Morgan; "Total Stimulation for Children Recovering from Malnutrition" by Linda Gershuny; "Nutrition: Key Factor in High-Level Wellness" by Dr. S. Raman; "Music Therapy" by Jocelyn Boor; "Healing Relationship in Marriage" by Ruth Eyford and Helgi Eyford; and "The Importance for a Physician to turn to God" by Dr. Agnes Ghaznavi.

There were four very successful workshops: "Smoking and Exercise"; ''Alcoholism, Drug Abuse, and Youth"; "Baha'i Life" and ''Baha'i Approach to Sexuality". The participants also had the pleasure of attending the performance of Ballet Shayda on the theme of "Women in Motion''.

. The closing addresses were given by Hand of the Cause John Robarts and by Florence Altass, a 96 year old Bahá'í from England, who due to a recent and severe illness, was not able to attend the conference but sent a paper and taped message. Throughout the conference, Mr. Robarts greatly encouraged the friends, showered them with his love and guided them with his remarks. He reminded Bahá'í health professionals of the importance of prayer and turning to God for assistance at the time of dispensing treatment. It was through his closing remarks, quoting from the Writings of the Faith, that the audience caught a glimpse of the unity of religion and science which will no doubt characterize the medical sciences of the future. [BC Vol 2 Issue 12 September/October 1980 p30]

Those elected to serve on the National Spiritual Assembly during the National Convention held in Guelph were: Douglas Martin (sec'y), Hossain Danesh [chair), Jane Faily, Ed Muttart (treasurer and ass't sec'y), Ruth Eyford, Michael Rochester (vice), Glen Eyford, Husayn Banani, and William Hatcher. [CBN Vol5 Issue3 July/Aug 1983 p23; CBN Vol5 Issue 2 May/Jun 1983 p20]

The National Spiritual Assembly announced that the Hazira Committee would continue its search for a suitable building not exceeding $50,000, [CBN No 31 July 1952 p6]

1. The recital each day of one of the Obligatory Prayers with pure-hearted devotion.
2. The regular reading of the Sacred Scriptures, specifically at least each morning and evening, with reverence, attention and thought.
3. Prayerful meditation on the Teachings, so that we may understand them more deeply, fulfill them more faithfully, and convey them more accurately to others.
4. Striving every day to bring our behavior more into accordance with the high standards that are set forth in the Teachings.
5. Teaching the Cause of God.
6. Selfless service in the work of the Cause and in the carrying on of our trade or profession.

They also suggested that in their private meditation the believers use the repetition of the Greatest Name, Alláh-u-Abhá, ninety-five times a day which, although at that time it was not yet applied in the West, it was among the Laws, Ordinances and Exhortations of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas.

"The fortuitous combination of British solidity and good judgement and American get-up-and-go and enthusiasm, which has characterized Canada, must not be lost in the Canadian Bahá'í Community. Its members must demonstrate their out-standing abilities, and through a greater vision, more consecration and renewed self-sacrifice, arise and attain their goals." [CBN NO 92 Oct 1957 p1-2]

Four regional conferences were held in this, the 4th year of the Association for Bahá'í Studies, in Halifax, Toronto, Saskatoon and Vancouver, all on the same dates. [BC Vol 2 No 3 July/August 1979 p9]

The October issue included a graphic that illustrated the reporting structure of the national committees. [CBN No 93 October 1957 p7]

• The Vancouver Bahá'í Archives has a photo of the first Bahá'í group in Edmonton in 1942 with Anne McGee, Lyda Martland, Milwyn Davies, Kay Rimell, Anita Ioas (later Chapman). This photo is Plate 30 in OBCC152.

• Frederick and Jeanne Allen arrived one day later and opened a small grocery store a few kilometers from Sydney. They remained until 1961 when they were asked to return to Charlottetown to maintain the Assembly. [KoB280-282; BW15458-459]

In the message to the National Conventions dated 17 April 1954 Shoghi Effendi announced that "Israel Branches of the British, the Persian, the Canadian and the Australian Baha'i National Spiritual Assemblies have been legally established, recognized formally as Religious Societies by the Israeli Civil Authorities, and empowered to hold without restriction title to immovable property in any part of the country on behal'f of their parent assemblies." [Bahá'í Canada Special Insert June 1954]

On 4 December 1954, Leroy Ioas wrote "The beloved Guardian has directed me to write you... that the Israel Branch of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada was to be established, and land on Mount Carmel registered in your name..." [MtC213-214]

"The land on Mount Carmel which the Guardian had instructed to be registered in the name of the Israel Branch of the Canadian Assembly was transferred to the title of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada, Israel Branch, on October 1, 1954". Quoted from a letter from Leroy Ioas. [CBN No 61 February, 1955 p1]

The title deed for "Parcel No. 304, Block 10811, Mount Carmel, Haifa." was sent to the National Assembly. [MtC213-214]

See Shoghi Effendi's cable of 1 May 1955 and his letter to the National Spiritual Assembly dated 16 July 1955. [MtC220, 222]

Note: VV123 says it was 20 February.

• He was appointed a Hand of the Cause of God on the 6th of December, 1953 after the passing of Hand of the Cause of God Siegfried Schopflocher. [MoCxxiv]
• See LoF164-167 for a short biography.
• Find a grave.

• See OBCC62 or RT14 for the story of how he saw 'Abdu'l-Bahá in the window of His passing train in 1912 as He travelled from Montreal to Buffalo.

He, like Sutherland Maxwell and Mason Remey, had studied at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris. These three and four others submitted designs for the Wilmette Temple for consideration. Other buildings designed by Louis Bourgeois include the Chicago Tribune Building, Evergreen Cabin in Englewood NJ where 'Abdu'l-Bahá hosted a Unity Feast, the Savoy Hotel in Chicago.

He became a Bahá'í in New York sometime during the winter of 1906. In April of 1909 the National Spiritual Assembly called for design proposals for the first Bahá'í Hours of Worship in the West and he submitted is design proposal in October. It was finally accepted at the National Convention in 1920. [DP76-100]

• The first to respond to their teaching was a white couple, Bert and Elizabeth Curtis. [CBN 15 September 1950 p8-9]
• Later Melba Loft became the first woman ever to he nominated as a candidate for election to the Indian Council (First Nation Council) of the Tyendinaga Reserve (Tyendinaga First Nation). [CBN No49 Feb 1954 p5]
• Evelyn Loft was officially commended by the government agent for the honour she has brought to the reserve by her excellent standing at Belleville Collegiate Institute. [CBN No49 Feb 1954 p5]

• John was a member of the National Spiritual Assembly from 1948–53.
• In 1953 they became Knights of Bahá'u'lláh when they pioneered to Bechuanaland sailing from Saint John on the 6th of January. [CBN No 50 March 1954 p2]
• from John and Audrey Robarts. "They are now comfortably settled at Mafeking, where they were fortunate enough to buy an attractive bungalow with electrical equipment and furniture a few days after their arrival. Housing is very scarce in Mafeking and people who have been living in hotels for months looking for accommodation eye them with envy. The house is situated in an orchard with 12 varieties of fruit, and overlooks a golf course on one side and a fine school playground on the other. John had a choice of positions offered him in the insurance field, Nina has an excellent school and Patrick is in Johannesburg at university." [CBN No52 May 1954 p2]
• In 1957 John Robarts was appointed a Hand of the Cause of God. [14 May 1954. Messages to Canada]

Because she was not able to find employment she departed on the 22nd of December and was replaced by Kay Zinky in February 1954. She was an American from Colorado Spring, Colorado, whose husband, a non-Bahá'í, supported her during her stay of one year, until February 1954. Margaret and Larry Rowdon with their daughter Ayn arrived in the summer of 1954. They stayed until 1969. During this time the rest of their children, Leslie, Ruth, Devin, Karen and Bret were born. [CBN No 49 Feb 1954 p2; CBN No 54Jul 1954 p2] [CBN Vol 18 No 1 May 2005 p24-26; HB25; BW13:453; KoB278-280]

The first person to declare on the Magdalens was Carole Bates, originally from Nova Scotia. [HB116]

• Mary died 1996 and Ken in Dec 2020. [Contributed by Leslie Cole]
• Obituary: Knight of Baha'u'llah Mary Zabolotny McCulloch by Universal House of Justice, Kenneth McCulloch, and National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States compiled by Kenneth C. McCulloch.

• She had first arrived in Edmonton in 1912 where she studied to become a nurse. Some time after graduation she moved to BC where she accepted the Faith.
• In 1925 she returned to AB where she spent the rest of her life promoting the Faith. [The Distance Traversed: a presentation by Bev Knowlton and Joan Young 2022]

• From 1939 to 1940 she worked for the Dominion Bureau of Statistics and subsequently for the Department of Munitions and Supply until 1941 when she left for Toronto. Subject to racism in Canada she settled in Czechslovakia in the late 1940's after living in England and Germany. [OBCC152, 224]
• For a photo see OBCC144.

In 1989 they experienced a hurricane. Although the eye of the hurricane missed Montserrat, Hugo still produced sustained winds of 140 mph and pounded the island. Nearly every home on Montserrat was destroyed or heavily damaged, leaving 11,000 of the island's 12,000 inhabitants homeless.

Larry subsequently wrote a short biography of their time there appropriately titled In the Path of the Wind: Recollections of Montserrat.

Others were Dorothy Sheets and Doris Skinner who remained until 1955.

• See her mention of Western Canada in Star of the West Vol 11 No 9 p151

It can be said that the history of the Bahá'í Faith in Canada began at this point.

• Shoghi Effendi called her "the spiritual mother of Canada" Montreal "the mother city of Canada. [OBCC35]
• Shoghi Effendi awarded her the honour of a 'martyr's death' and designated her as a Disciple of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. [BW8:631; MA38]
• She was the first Bahá'í on European soil and the "mother" of both the French and the Canadian Bahá'í communities. [PP149]
• For her "In Memoriam" and tribute written by Marion Holley see BW8p631-642.
• Hooper Dunbar quoted Shoghi Effendi in his cable to the friends in Iran announcing her passing:
  
  May Maxwell, the severed teacher firebrand of the love of God and spreader of the fragrances of God Mrs Maxwell, forsook her native land and hastened to the most distant countries out of love for her Master and yearning to sound the call to the Cause of her Lord and her inspiration, until she ascended to the highest summit attaining the rank of martyrdom in the capital of the Argentine. The furthermost boundary the countenances of paradise invoke blessings upon her in the glorious apex saying, may she enjoy with healthy relish the cup that is full and brimming over with the wine of the love of God for the like of this should the travaillers travail. Inform all the friends of the announcement of this mighty victory. [A talk] given by Mr Dunbar 28:08]
• Shoghi Effendi asked her husband, Sutherland Maxwell, to design her tomb, which was to be a 'historic centre' for 'pioneer Bahá'í activity'. [BW8:642]
• For an account of the erection of the monument to her see PSBW83–6.

• Another source, says the date of her declaration was August 5, 19

Prof. Barakatullah attended the Sunday school in the Presbyterian church in Brockville for three consecutive Sundays and took part in a debate on the subject of the "Millennium." [Bahá'í Bulletin Vol 1 No 1 p13]

• See OBCC110-119 for information on the development of the Saint John community between 1910 and 1928.
• See as well Origins of the Saint John Bahá'í Group in Community Histories in SBBR Vol 6 by Dr Will C van den Hoonaard pp218-239.

In 1955 a young lady named Vickie Ojal resided in Brandon for six months. [Report to the University of Brandon].

One of the last living speakers of the Tagish language, she has been actively involved in recording oral history and publishing books containing songs, traditional stories and Tagish and Tlingit- language place names of the Southern Yukon. By doing so, this prominent elder in her community has made a major contribution to northern linguistic and ethnographic studies and to the preservation of the Native cultural heritage. [Governor General's website]

• She (23yrs) and her husband Gustav (39yrs) and two children immigrated to Canada in 1871. He passed away in 1929. They were buried in the Kilworthy Lutheran Cemetery.

They considered "remarkable" the recently enacted of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (also known as the Constitution Act of 1982), and the Multiculturalism Policy of 1971, as well as Canada's contribution to human rights accords on the international level and steps towards the creation of single global society.

The National Assembly shared the measures taken in its own community for the advancement of the rights of women, for more understanding between the Anglophone and Francophone populations, to assist the settlement of immigrants and measures taken to increase participation of the indigenous friends in society at large by establishing a variety of events. Some of there were "unity gatherings" , "native councils", "summer and winter schools", "Unity feasts", and conferences, all of which have served to bring together in social and administrative activity anglophone, francophone, and native Canadians.

They included with the brief a copy of A Violence Free Society by Dr Hossain Danesh and several submissions made by the Bahá'í International Community to various United Nation agency on the question of human rights and minorities as well as an article taken from the publication "Refuge" describing the Iranian Bahá'í refugee program.

In this submission, they emphasized the necessity of educational programs. They asked that careful consideration be given to the idea of holding a national conference on education focussed on this question of minority participation in Canadian society.

First Indian Bahá'í fire side I have been to and I am happy to see the Indians take to the sky once again with the strength and power of eagle wings. How far we will fly with the winds of Bahá'u'lláh's teachings, once again we can cry out with the Eagles voice and be heard and live with a purpose.

• Mention in CBN No38 Feb 1953 p6, "Gerda and Noel Wuttunee are at present residing in this community at 10958 - 84th Avenue and will remain in Edmonton for the winter."
• In 1950 he served on the "Prairies Indian Committee". [CBN No 15 September 1950]
• He may have been a resident of Winnipeg originally. [OBCC209-210, 227]
• See OBCC144 for a photo.
• See BW12p793 for a photo of Noel and his wife.

Other pioneers to Yellowknife were Ted Blencowe (1954 September) and later his wife, Helen, and Don and Midge Ulery, as well as Arthur and Lily Anne Irwin. [CBN No57 Oct 1954 p1; CBN No 207 Apr 1967 p8]

Incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies: 65

Localities where Bahá'í reside: 950

Members: 7,500

[from a pamphlet, The Bahá'í Faith and its World Community published by the NSA of Canada]

Members: 30

[from a pamphlet, The Bahá'í Faith and its World Community published by the NSA of Canada]

Incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies: 159

Localities where Bahá'í reside: 1,500

Members: 2,100

[from a pamphlet, The Bahá'í Faith and its World Community published by the NSA of Canada]

Incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies: 20

Localities where Bahá'í reside: 285

Members: 2,186

[from a pamphlet, The Bahá'í Faith and its World Community published by the NSA of Canada]

Seven speakers presented papers in a wide range of academic disciplines. The speakers were:
'Abdu'l Misagh Ghadirian-"August Forel: His Life and Enlightenment".
Douglas Martin-"The Bahá'í Faith and Its Critics".
Luc Dion, a student of Physics at the Université du Québec in Chicoutimi-"La realité du monde e l'existence de Dieu". He had the distinction of being the first Bahá'í student to present a formal paper and also presented the first paper in French.
Hossain Danesh-"Violence and Apathy".
William Hatcher-on the relationship between science and religion.
Don Rogers-"The Function of Revelation in Artistic Expression".
Glen Eyford-"Spiritual Education".

A decision was taken to begin the publication of Bahá'í Studies.

In addition, the "Ballet Shayda" presented a group of three dances on Saturday evening. [BC Issue 291 February 1976 p6]

Should in Greenland the fire of the love of God be ignited, all the ices of that continent will be melted and its frigid climate will be changed into a temperate climate-that is, if the hearts will obtain the heat of the love of God, that country and continent will become a divine garden and a lordly orchard, and the souls, like unto the fruitful trees, will obtain the utmost freshness and delicacy. Magnanimity is necessary, heavenly exertion is called for.

• Journals from Year 1 (138-9 BE, 1981-2), Issue 1: Winter to Year 23 (162 BE, 2005-6), Issue 90: Spring are available on-line.

Given the wide variety of geography in the Bahá'í world, each National Spiritual Assembly was directed to establish the most effective means for the election of the delegates to its National Convention and for providing for an opportunity for consultation among the electors. [Message 21 July 1985]

In its letter of 2 January 1986, the Universal House of Justice referred to ''a new stage in the unfoldment of the Administrative Order," a stage characterized by a "new development in the maturation of Bahá'í institutions" which marks "the inception of the fourth epoch" of the Formative Age of the Faith.

Don and Diana Dainty moved to Lucerne in June of 1967 [email from Catherine Carry dated 28 May 2020]

They remained there until 1939 when the couple pioneered to Venezuela. [OBCC82]

1. Man's Relationship to God.
2. Man's Relationship to Society.
3. Society and Administration. [CBN No65 Jun 1955 p6]

Note: On 1 January 1972, the city of Winnipeg amalgamated with old Winnipeg and Metro along with the rural municipalities of Charleswood, Fort Garry, North Kildonan, and Old Kildonan; the Town of Tuxedo; the cities of East Kildonan, West Kildonan, St. Vital, Transcona, St. Boniface, and St. James-Assiniboia into one city.

• For a description of the simple wedding see GBF68–9 and PP151–2.
• Shoghi Effendi stressed that the marriage drew the Occident and the Orient closer together. [GBF69–70; PP153]
• The American Bahá'í community sent $19 from each of its 71 Assemblies as a wedding gift. [GBF70; PP153]
• An extension was built onto Shoghi Effendi's apartment on the roof of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's house in Haifa to accommodate the couple. [BBD107; DH152]
• See also MA89.

• From this time forward the term "Assembly" meant a duly-elected local spiritual assembly and not a group. [BA20]

"The development of the local and national Funds must be continuously maintained as a prelude to the establishment of local and national endowments and the ultimate erection of a House of Worship that will incarnate the soul of a flourishing nation-wide community." [MtC114]

MM!p231 gives the date as 1904.

The Guardian...urges you to concentrate on the native populations it is for that reason that we have opened new countries to the Faith. After all, Europeans, Americans, etc., can become Bahá'ís in their homeland. We have entered new fields all over the world to bring the light of divine guidance to the native population, who have thus far been deprived of the spiritual teachings of Bahá'u'lláh. May you be confirmed with this teaching effort among the natives. The great foal would be an assembly in Whitehorse, made up of native Bahá's or at least the majority natives.

It was through the participation of the Bahá'í in the Yukon Indian Advancement Association that many of the early Native people became Bahá'ís. [ibid p92]

David Hofman, former member of the Universal House of Justice, delivered an enlightening talk about Baha'u'llah. Mr. Hofman, who is author of Bahá'u'lláh, The Prince of Peace, and British, became a Bahá'í in Montreal, at the Maxwell home.

The following were elected to serve on the National Spiritual Assembly: Reginald Newkirk, Louise Profeit-Leblanc, Hossain Danesh, Husayn Banani, Judy Filson, Margot Leonard, Ann Wilson, Ed Muttart, and Enayat Rawhani. [BC Vol 6 No 2 July 1993 p16]

Also present at the invitation of the National Assembly was Mrs. Peggy Ross, now 93 years old, a former National Spiritual Assembly member and Auxiliary Board member (at the same time even!) who has attended every Canadian Convention since its inauguration in 1948.

Those elected as members of the National Spiritual Assembly for 1994 - 95 were: Judy Filson, Reginald Newkirk, Husayn Banani, Louise Profeit-Leblanc, Enayat Rawhani, Ann Wilson, Margot Leonard, Ed Muttart and Susan Lyons. This was the first time in Canadian Baha'f history that five women have been elected. [BC Vol 7 No1 May/Jun 1994 p143-17]

Those who were elected to serve on the National Spiritual Assembly were: Louise Profeit Leblanc; Enayat Rawhani; Susan Lyons; Husyn Banani; Reginald Newkirk; Ed Muttart; Ann Wilson; Judith Filson; and Margot Leonard. [BC Vol 8 No 2 Jun/Jul 1995 p7-11]

This year, with the approval of the Universal House of Justice, the name of the Association was changed from the Canadian Association for Studies on the Bahá'í Faith to the Association for Bahá'í Studies in recognition of its increasingly international character. Also, the Association recently purchased a modest house on the campus of the University of Ottawa to serve as a Center for Bahá'í Studies and as an administrative headquarters for the organization.

The presentations included: "The Psychological and Spiritual Aspects of Personal Growth," by Hossain Danesh, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada who is a practicing psychiatrist; a discussion of the use of computers in indexing the Bahá'í Writings, presented by Edward Fox, a doctoral candidate in computer science at Cornell University; "John the Baptist—The Forgotten Manifestation," by Jack McLean, a doctoral candidate in religious studies at the University of Ottawa; and a presentation on the life and works of Mishkín-Qalam, the famous Bahá'í calligrapher, by Gol Aidun of Brandon, Manitoba.

Also included in the conference was the second annual Ḥasan Balyúzi Lectureship—given this year by Douglas Martin, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, who spoke on the persecutions of the Bahá'ís in Iran under the Pahlavi regime, and by Glenford E. Mitchell, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, who discussed the reaction of people in the West to the current wave of persecutions in Iran.

The last presentation of the conference was that of Amatu'l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum who had recently arrived in North America after several months in Central America. Although not entirely recovered from an illness acquired during her travels, she spoke vigorously—although, uncharacteristically, while seated. Her principal theme was the corrosive effects of the prejudice of the educated toward the illiterate, though she stressed the importance of the contribution of the educated in the Faith and in society.

She also urged the Bahá'ís to redouble their efforts, citing a passage pointed out to her by the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, in which Bahá'u'lláh, while still in Baghdád, had said that if the Bahá'ís had busied themselves with what He had commanded them to do, "now the entire world would be clothed in faith." [BN Issue 607 October 1981 p7; BCVol 3 No 5 July/August 1981 p5]

• It was announced that Canada's National Endowment had been secured, a beautiful piece of property on the Niagara River in the shadow of Queenston Heights. It had been donated by one of the friends.
• The Public Congress was held in the Royal Ontario Museum Theatre on the evening of Saturday the 28th of April. Over 300 attended. [CBN No 77 June 1956 p2]
• It was learned that Canada's National Endowment had been secured, a beautiful piece of property on the Niagara River in the shadow of Queenston Heights, which had been donated by one of the friends. [CBN No 77 June 1956 p2]

• The pdf for the Act can be found here.
• The National Spiritual Assembly members at that time were John Aldham Robarts, of the city of Toronto, province of Ontario, manager; Emeric Sala, of the city of St. Lambert, province of Quebec, manufacturer; Dame Laura Romney Davis, wife of Victor Davis of the city of Toronto, province of Ontario; Siegfried Schopflocher, of the city of Montreal, province of Quebec, manufacturer; Rowland Ardouin Estall, of the city of Montreal, province of Quebec, insurance broker; Ross Greig Woodman, of the city of Toronto, province of Ontario, lecturer; Lloyd George Gardner, of the city of Toronto, province of Ontario, wholesaler; and Dame Doris Cecilia Richardson, wife of J. P. Richardson, of the city of Toronto, province of Ontario; and Dame Rosemarv Scott Sala, wife of the said Emeric Sala, of the city of St. Lambert, province Corporate of Quebec.
• See Shoghi Effendi's letter of 19 June, 1949 for his comments.
  "an event twice hailed by Shoghi Effendi in the documents published here as "a magnificent victory unique in the annals of East and West". [MtCpvii]

John was born in Martock, NS and is credited with being the first resident Bahá'í. After he attended university he worked at the Sydney steel plant in Cape Breton. His life at the plant was gruesome for his arm was caught in machine and cut off. He moved to the United States where he found the Faith some time between 1917 and 1922. He returned to Canada in poor health and settled in Windsor, NS. John left the province to take a job in Newfoundland as a representative of the Penn Oil and Steel in Newfoundland and died of a heart attack three months later. His body was returned to Windsor. [OBCC109-110]

He is also credited with being the first Bahá'í to have visited Cap Breton.

Annual Report of the National Spiritual Assembly [BC Vol 11 No 2 June 1998 p9]

Those elected to the National Spiritual Assembly for 155 B.E. were: Husayn Banani, Glen Eyford. Judy Filson, Margot Leonard, Susan Lyons, Karen McKye, Reginald Newkirk, Louise Profeit-Leblanc and Enayat Rawhani. [BC Vol 11 No 3 July 1998 p11]

• The farmhouse was improved and enlarged, two additional cottages were built, two more wells were dug, part of the barn was rebuilt into a lecture hall. The property was offered for use by the Canadian Youth Hostel Association and was used by the Bahá'ís for winter and summer schools for more than twenty-five years. [TG109]
• When the National Spiritual Assembly was formed two years later this property became its first endowment. [CBN No 15 September, 1950 p5]

DEEPLY GRIEVED UNTIMELY PASSING DEAR WIFE GOL WHILE TRAVELING IN INDIA. HER KINDLY SPIRIT, GREAT ZEAL IN TEACHING INCLUDING MANY JOURNEYS BEHALF BELOVED FAITH, HER HISTORICAL RESEARCH ON PERSONS AND TOPICS OF CAUSE MAKE HER LOSS IRREPARABLE. EXTEND HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES ALL MEMBERS FAMILY. ASSURE FERVENT PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HER ILLUMTNED SOUL WORLDS GOD.

Note: Mention of her is also made in Ripples from the Rupununi, a biography of her husband Jamshid, by Brian H Cameron.

A short biography written by her daughter Laila Aidun Eiriksson can be found in Bahá'í World XX p860-863.

Gol and her family relocated from Winnipeg to Brandon in November of 1965 and by Ridván 1970 the inauguration local assembly was formed. [History of the Bahá'í Faith in Brandon]

The purchase was made possible because of the generosity of the Canadian believers as well as an "exceedingly generous bequest made to the Canadian Bahá'í Community, on his death, by Fred Schopflocher". [CBNNo 77 June 1956 p4]

• The Haziratu'lQuds was to serve as the administrative headquarters of the National Spiritual Assembly, its secretariat, for Assembly meetings, the preservation of its records, for public meetings , a Bahá'í library, an Archives, for committee meetings and Bahá'í Conferences. Its influence would enhance the prestige and consolidate the authority of the National Assembly in the Bahá'í community, confer dignity and prestige upon the Faith in the eyes of the public and be the seat of one of the electoral bodies that would elect the Universal House of Justice. [CBN No 82 November, 1956 p 3]

Close to 500 people gathered at the Yukon Bahá'í Institute at Lake Laberge near Whitehorse. It wa s one year to the day since the sod-turning ceremony launched the construction. Again Hand of the Cause of God John Robarts and Counsellor Loretta King were in attendance. Other distinguished guests attending the dedication ceremonies were Hand of the Cause Dr. Varqa , Counsellor Angus Cowan. Canadian National Assembly members Dr. Jane Faily, Ed Muttart and Husayn Banani, Alaskan National Assembly Member and native elder Eugene King and Auxiliary Board Member Peggy Ross. The dedication was well attended by native elders and distinguished native Bahá'ís-Melba Loft, Johnny Johns, Charlotte Sydney, Pete Sydney, Paul George and Doris Wedge, to name a few. Attendance from the Bahá'ís of Alaska was high with six National Assembly members. four members of the National Teaching committee and representatives from 26 local Spiritual Assemblies and others making a total of at least 100 Alaskan Bahá'ís participating. [BC Vol6 no 2 June-September 1984 p37

This cooperative partnership between the Bahá'í Community and the Department of Immigration became a model for some 25 other countries.

Note: This brief was presented to The Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects of Canada by the Canadian Bahá'í Community through its National Spiritual Assembly in Saskatoon November 21-22, 1983.

The first plenary session of the conference focussed on the theme "New Dimensions in Development", and comprised of three presentations: Dr. Glen Eyford, Professor of International Development, spoke on "Strategies-for Social Change", Dr. Joanna Macy, "A Spiritual Approach to Social Change" and Gustavo Correa's presentation was "FUNDAEC: Case Study of an Alternative for Rural Development".

The second session: "Integrating Personal and Social Change —The Baha'i Paradigm" hosted the following speakers: Dr. Ervin Laszlo, "The Coming Transformation of Global Society and Today's Action Imperative", Shelia Banani, "Unity: The Ultimate Paradigm Shift" and Dr. Hossain Danesh, "Integrating Personal and Social Change".

Hand of the Cause of God, Mr. Khadem, presented the awards to the winners of the best papers: John and Helen Danesh, High School Category; Shirin Sabri, General Category; Susan Stiles, University Category.

The theme for the third session was: "Elimination of Violence as a Prerequisite for World Peace". Dr. Udo Schaefer, spoke on "Justitia Fundamentum Regnorum: On the Future of Penal Law", followed by Mr. Brad Pokorny who spoke on "Disarmament and the Baha'i Faith".

The advances made by the Association during the year were highlighted; the establishment of branches of the Association for Bahá'í Studies in India, Colombia, Ireland, Austria and Switzerland and the finalization of plans for opening chapters of the Association at universities to take the place gradually of the existing Bahá'í Clubs. A proposed draft of the constitution for the campus charters has been prepared and is now under review by the World Centre. [CBN Vol 5 No 6 November/December 1983 p14]

• Elected were: Fletcher Bennett, Robert Lee, Lynn Whitehouse, Elinor Bennett, Joan Kauth, Justine Stenset, Elsie Dryer and Irene Harris. [CBN257April1972p12]
• 92 year old Irene Harris liked to be called "Grandma" because she is" a grandmother to all people, Chinese, Japanese, white people, to everyone". She was the first believer from the Kitwancool Nation. [CBN253Aug-Sep1971p6]

Members were: Charles Murray, Marion Tredennick, Irving Tredennick, Kenneth McLaren, Edna Hughes, Francoise Rouleau, Gladys Young (Harvey), Winnifred Harvey, and, Katherine Ferguson, [from an email from Heather Harvey Jan 15, 2026; OBCC224]

Canada started the Ten-year Crusade in 1953 with 30 local spiritual assemblies, by 1957 there were 19. "Hand of the Cause John Robarts enlisted the Bahá'ís of Canada in one great campaign of prayer and action, and we finished that Crusade with sixty-four Local Spiritual Assemblies." [BCVol 9 No8 October 1987 p18]

• Note: The Committee of Friends of the Indian (after 1951 known as the Friends of the Indians Society), was led by Reta Rowan. [Seen but Not Seen: Influential Canadians and the First Nations from the 1840s to Today by Donald B. Smith]

Raised in Babol he had studied medicine in Tehran, completed his military service then left for England to study English and then Canada. After completing his studies in which he trained as an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist), he returned to Iran. His Canadian fiancee, Anita, followed and they were married in 1971. She and their three children, all under the age of seven, left Iran after the Revolution on the advice of the Canadian Embassy.

He was 48 years old at the time of his execution and was considered one of the top microscopic ear surgeons in the world. He was an innovator who devised a new method of ear surgery for the treatment of deafness. The method, now used in a modernized form around the world, allows a surgeon to implant a small hearing aid behind the ear of a hearing impaired person in a way that cannot been seen. [Iran Wire]

• It was held in the home of Corinne True. [CT82–3]
• It was attended by 39 delegates from 36 cities. [GPB262; SBBH1:146]
• The Convention established the 'Bahá'í Temple Unity', which was incorporated to hold title to the Temple property and to provide for its construction. A constitution was framed and an Executive Board of the Bahá'í Temple Unity elected. [BBD39; BBRSM:106; BW10:179; GPB349; PP397; SBBH1:146]"

The couple, Frank Bloodworth and Marlene Glenham, both of Winnipeg. will be residing in the St. Boniface Assembly area due to the fact that the assembly had been depleted and required two pioneers to fill its ranks. [CBN No 167 December 1963 p1]

In that same issue of the Canadian Bahá'í News it was announced that the St. Boniface Spiritual Assembly had a new Secretary.
          Mrs. Marlene Bloodworth, Secty.,
          Apt. 14, Grandview Apts.,
          77 Eugenie St., St. Boniface 6, Man

Rosemary Sala gave the lessons and presided over the discussions.

Study subjects were: “This Earth One Country”, “The Oneness of Mankind and the Abolition of Race Prejudice”, and “The Oneness of Religion”.

Recreational activities included swimming in the Bureau River, horseback riding, helping resident Bill Suter putting up hay, and a campfire picnic. [BW11 p 404]

In addition to the open style of the agenda and the Thursday supper, another new feature of the Convention was Friday's lunch at which everyone had a chance to discuss particular issues at differently designated tables. The closed nature of the Convention permitted the delegates, along with the Hands of the Cause, Counsellor, Board Members, and National Assembly members to get together for talks and discussions over meals and at breaks without getting caught up in the always festive, often overwhelming atmosphere of recent National Conventions which have seen upwards of one thousand participants.

Elected to the National Spiritual Assembly were; Glen Eyford, Douglas Martin, Elizabeth Rochester, Michael Rochester, Edmund Muttart, Husayn Banani, Ruth Eyford, Jane Faily, and Hossain Danesh. [CBN Vol14 No 3 July/Aug 1982 p22]

• The assembly area is now known as Chelsea. Chelsea was named after the Vermont town of its first settler, Thomas Brigham, who was a partner and son-in-law of Philemon Wright and arrived there in 1819. The name has been in use since the early 19th century: Old Chelsea (1819), Parish Saint-Stephen-of-Chelsea (1835), Chelsea (circa 1870). In 1875, the municipality was established as Hull-Partie-Ouest, or commonly referred to as West Hull. The municipality was renamed to its current name in 1990. [Wikipedia]

• For the role of individuals, local spiritual assemblies and the National Spiritual Assembly see MA11–12.
• The Plan called for:
  • the completion of the exterior of the Wilmette Temple. BW7:17–18; PP385]
  • the establishment of a local spiritual assembly in each state and province of the United States and Canada. [PP385]
  • the establishment of a centre in each of the republics of Latin America. [PP385]
• At this time there were 2 local spiritual assemblies and eighteen localities. [OBCC307]

• The first Bahá'í in Niagara Falls was Charlie Grindlay.
• The first native Niagara Falls resident to become a Bahá'í was Carol Bowie.

• Lillian Tomlinson (later Prosser) had been the first Winnipeg resident to become a Bahá'í. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p10]

• Some of the members were: Mary Maxwell, George Spendlove, Rowland Estall, Emeric Sala, Mary Gillis, (later Rosemary Sala), Teddy Edwards Alizade, Norman McGregor, Judie Russell Blakely, Dorothy and Glen Wade, Edward Dewing, Gerrard Sluter, David Hofman, Rena Gordon and Eddie Elliot.
• The Bahá'í youth group was a social club organized by Ruhiyyih Khanum called the "Fratority Club." By this word, Ruhiyyih Khanum meant to put together the words "fraternity" and "sorority" and had invited to belong to it people, mostly young students at McGill, who would otherwise not have been able to find membership in the exclusive fraternities and sororities around the campus. [Black Roses in Canada's Mosaic: Four Decades of Black History by Will C. van den Hoonaard and Lynn Echevarria-Howe]
• When advised of the formation of this group Shoghi Effendi replied, in part
  ...I urge them to study profoundly the revealed utterances of Bahá'u'lláh and the discourses of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and not to rely unduly on the representations and interpretation of the Teaching given by the Bahá'í speakers and teachers. [MtC30-31]
• A Bahá'í youth group had been started in California in 1912, but the Montreal group was the first in North America to systematically study the Teachings—an exercise that had a long—lasting influence on the development and growth of the Bahá'í community in Canada and elsewhere. Members of the group would later distinguish themselves as some of the best-known teachers, administrators, pioneers, and writers of the Bahá'í Faith. [BWM46]

• For a photo see CBN No 117 October 1959 p1. Those elected were: Lorne Murphy, Mrs Georgie Hughes, Jerry Brda, Joanie Anderson, Erna Henckel, Margaret Brda, Ted Anderson, Ruth Cunliffe, and Glen Hughes.
• At the Jackson Lake Summer School it was resolved to double their numbers by the 3rd annual summer school to be held in September 1960. New Tlingit Bahá'í Sally Jackson proposed that every Bahá'í in the Yukon recite three special prayers each day, the The Tablet of Ahmad the Long Obligatory Prayer and the prayer for Canada. By the time of the summer school they had enrolled eleven new believers and four days later, the twelfth new member, Joseph Smith, the first Tutchone Bahá'í also enrolled. [Native Conversion, Native Identity: An Oral History of the Bahá'í Faith among First Nations People in the Southern Central Yukon Territory, Canada by Carolyn Patterson Sawin p91-92]
• In January 1961 a travel teacher from Alaska, newly declared believer Tlingit Jim Walton, himself a fluent Tlingit speaker was able to introduce a number of First Nations people to the Faith. By the 21st of the month there were 36 new believers for a total of 55 in at least eight localities, Whitehorse, Camp Takhini, Carcross, Marsh Lake, Teslin, Aishihik, Carmacks and Whitehorse Flats, a Native village near Whitehorse. [ibid p94]

The Spiritual Assembly was incorporated in February of 1971. The members at that time were: Doreen Hurl, Roy Hurl, William Guy Margaret Guy, Mansur Derakshan, Gol Aidun, Janshid Aidun, Jessie Brown and John Dunn II.

For photographs of both events see History of the Faith in Brandon.

"We feel that it is of particular interest because the majority of the members are French speaking. Following 'Abdu'l-Bahá's exhortation to teach the French-speaking people of Canada our great hope has been to arrive at a more equitable representation from the two main language groups of this country."

• The members were: Marjorie Merrick, Paul Hanbury, Winnifred Harvey, Lucille Leboeuf, Daniel Caillaud, Danielle Coinon, Paule Médori, Michel Larin and Janet Braithwaite. [CBN Issue 242? July 1970 p 9; [from an email 4 November 2022 from National Archivist Ailsa Hedly Leftwich]

Members of the Ottawa Regional Bahá'í Choir have always come from both sides of the Ottawa river, from Gatineau, QC. They have been Bahá'ís and their friends, with different levels of singing experience. There are no auditions for the choir and those new to singing are encouraged to learn as they go. The membership generally has fluctuated between 10 and 16, but has been as large as 24 and is currently 20 members strong. Over the lifetime of the choir, as about 200 members have participated, choir direction has changed hands, often rotating between members. [Ottawa Community News 28 September 2017]