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Chronology of the Bahá'í Faith in Canada

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Date 1947, descending sort earliest first

date event tags firsts
1947 Dec
194-
Earnest Court, a member of the first Spiritual Assembly of Winnipeg, passed away and was given the first Bahá'i funeral in Winnipeg. It was conducted by his good friend, Rowland Estall. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p19] In Memoriam; Earnest Court; Rowland Estall; Winnipeg, MB he first Bahá'i funeral in Winnipeg.
1947 Nov
194-
Noel Wuttunee and Gerda Chrostopherson, both who had recently moved from Calgary, accepted the Faith and were married in Winnipeg. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p19] Noel Wuttunee; Gerda Christofferson; Marriage; Winnipeg, MB; Calgary, AB
1947 Oct
194-
Rowland Estall and his new wife Yvonne pioneered to St Boniface, a goal area for the Winnipeg community, along with Shirley Nichelson and Ted Whitely. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p19]

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.

Rowland Estall; Yvonne Terrill Estall; Shirley Nichelson; Ted Whitely; Winnipeg, MB; St. Boniface, MB
1947 7 Oct
194-
The first Bahá'í wedding in Winnipeg took place between Rowland Estall and Yvonne Killins. Ross Woodman officiated, and the event was held at "the Business and Professional Women's Club". [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p19] Rowland Estall; Yvonne Killins; Ross Woodman; Winnipeg, MB first wedding between Bahá'ís in Winnipeg
1947 Oct
194-
Noel Wuttunee (Eagle's Tail Feathers) a Cree from Calgary was the first Indigenous Canadian to join the community. [Bahá'í Canada Site; OBCC153]
  • 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.
  • Noel Wuttunee; Eagles Tail Feathers; Prairie Indian Committee; Edmonton, AB; Calgary, AB First Indigenous person to become a Bahá'í in Canada
    1947 18 Jul
    194-
    Melba Loft, (née Whetung), a Chippewa, became a Bahá'í while she was living in Michigan. She was the first Native Canadian to become a Bahá'í. [A Selected timeline related to the history of the Baha'is of Alberta]
  • Another source, says the date of her declaration was August 5, 19
  • Melba Loft First Canadian First Nations Bahá'í to enrol in the Faith in Canada.
    1947 Ridván
    194-
    In 1937 there had been 18 localities and 2 spiritual assembly. Ten years later there were 38 localities and 13 spiritual assemblies. [OBCC178] Statistics
    1947 Ridván
    194-
    The formation of the twelfth and thirteenth spiritual assemblies in Canada in Scarborough, ON and Vernon, BC. [OBCC178] Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Scarborough, ON; Vernon, BC
    1947 (In the year)
    194-
    The purchase of the Beaulac site, Canada's first nationally owned summer and winter school site. This site would serve the community until the early 70's.(OBCC164, BNNov1947p10-11] Summer schools; Winter schools; Beaulac, QC First nationally-owned summer and winter school property.
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