The Lansdowne Letters: Empty Skies

When I heard on the radio that the Air Force was parachuting
food supplies into northern Ontario for the starving Indians,
I ran to the McRaes' kitchen window and searched the bright blue sky.

I was excited to think that my Red Cross Project
had moved the government to help
my Ojibway friends and neighbors.

I hoped that the Air force would
parachute my clothing cartons
into Lansdowne House
along with the emergency food.

A Young Idealist
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved

I could see those cartons hanging from canopies
and drifting lazily down to land on the ice
between the Father's Island and the mainland.

I could see people dashing to the ice, opening the cartons, and passing around
the winter clothing that the people of Smith's Cove had generously donated
to the Red Cross clothing drive at school.

I could see them wrapping coats around themselves 
and pulling on mittens and scarves, 
some knitted by my grandmother's friends in Smith's Cove.
I could hear their excited chatter and laughter. 

Between the Father's Island and the Mainland

At this time my father lived in the brown shack

between the church and the white rectory on the island.  

Photograph by Father Maurice Ouimet, Fall 1960

© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue

All Rights Reserved

That bright blue sky remained empty in all directions.
I searched it for several days, but nothing blossomed to mar that crystalline blue.
I came to the shocking conclusion that some news reports might not be accurate.

Empty Skies Above Northern Ontario

"Neighboring" Webequie

Northern Ontario, Canada, December 1960

Photograph by Donald MacBeath

© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue

All Rights Reserved

Oh, I was aware that the world could be unfair, unjust, and cruel
and that lies, deceit, and evil existed.  But that was Elsewhere. 

Canada's Flag 1957-1965
Wikimedia

This was Canada:  
The True North Strong and Free.






As I grappled with a growing sense of disappointment,
my father's worries began to ease. 
Unexpectedly new hope appeared on his horizon.

On Thursday, March 23, 1961
my father wrote to the extended family:




My Father, Donald MacBeath
Fall 1960
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved

How's everyone today?
I haven't had too much time for private writing this week,
so this will be a short one.

Well, so far I haven't received any of the expected blasts about press the releases.
In fact, the only official letter that I received last week
was one telling me that my name was being considered for a nice promotion.

I received word from R. F. Davey, Chief of the Education Branch,
that my name was being considered for appointment
as supervising principal for the Sioux Lookout Indian Agency.

In this position I would be responsible for the administration
and supervision of about fifteen schools, most of them accessible only by air.
My immediate superior would be the district supervisor at North Bay.
My headquarters would be in Sioux Lookout.

I would get a good increase in salary, but I would loose my isolation allowance,
so my actual increase would be about $500.00 a year.

I would also be responsible for a crash building program
that the department is undertaking for the next five years.
They plan to replace nearly all the schools with new ones.

It would be just wonderful if I got this job,
because it would mean that I would be in the north
or near enough to indulge in my love for the north;
and at the same time my family would be able to indulge in their love
for the pleasures and advantages of civilization.

Sioux Lookout is a town about the size of Wolfville, N.S., 
and is on the northern CNR trans-continental line about 250 miles west of Nakina.
The town has excellent educational, residential, and medical facilities.

Train Station

Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada

Flickr:  Seán Ó Domhnaill   License

I was very favorably impressed with the town the only time I was there,
which was just about Christmas, when I went out as an escort for that sick Indian woman.

Well, I guess you've had it for this week.
It is quite late, and I still have to teach at Lansdowne House tomorrow.
I will try to write a longer letter next week.

The reason I am so pressed for time this week
was that I spent this week making up the annual requisitions.
I only received the forms last week,
and they had to be in by this week's mail.
Since my name is being considered for a promotion,
I couldn't afford to be late submitting them.

Well, bye for now,
Love, Don.

My Parents in More Carefree Days

Dating at Acadia University

Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada

© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue

All Rights Reserved

It's true.  It never rains but it pours.  
Although my parents kept it carefully hidden from me and my siblings,
they must have been under great stress.

In the middle of the scandal over the press releases,
the hurried trips in and out of Lansdowne House by the Indian agent and my father,
and dealing with the real fear of my father loosing the job they desperately depended upon,
Dad gets a letter about a potential promotion
and has to scramble to get together requisitions for the next school year,
plus pump fuel and carry water.

My parents must have been agonizing over
whether my father would get a promotion or be drummed out
of the Education Division of the Indian Affairs Branch in disgrace.

Meanwhile I was still searching the skies with lessening hope,
and learning the bitter taste of disillusionment.

Till next time ~
Fundy Blue


Bay of Fundy out of Westport, Brier Island
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue

All Rights Reserved

Notes:  

1.  R. F. Davey, Chief of the Education Division:
     The Education Division was part of the Indian Affairs Branch which in turn was part of the Department 
     of Citizenship and Immigration.  Mr. Davey, the Chief, worked in Ottawa. 

2.  Miles to Kilometers:
     250 miles = 402 kilometers

For Map Lovers Like Me:

Canada

with the Provinces of Ontario and Nova Scotia 

Wikimedia

Location of Smith's Cove and Wolfville

Wikimedia

Communities in Ontario

Wikimedia  edited