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Frontier College,

To view higher resolution images, click on either the thumbnails or the barcode #s, below.

#117 #117
The Steel Advances. Labourers-teachers of the Frontier College, ca. 1909 - 1929
Location: Unknown
Source: Library & Archives Canada C056928
#128 #128
Interior of reading tent, Reader Lake Pit, Construction to The Pas, Aug 3 1914
Location: Reader Lake, Manitoba
Source: Library & Archives Canada C056825
#129 #129
Boxes of magazines & books for shipment to camps
Location: Unknown
Source: Library & Archives Canada C056830
#151 #151
School tent at outpost
Location: Unknown
Source: Library & Archives Canada E004665628
#152 #152
Comfortable quarters for study
Location: Unknown
Source: Library & Archives Canada E004665629
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#154 #154
Denoon (Dalhousie)
Location: N/A
Source: Library & Archives Canada E004665633
#288 #288
D.A. Lane in front of tent, Mile 127, H.B. Ry.
Location: Mile 127, Manitoba
Source: Library & Archives Canada E004665584
#289 #289
Instructor J.E. Windsor H.B. Ry. Mile 191
Location: Mile 191, Manitoba
Source: Library & Archives Canada E004665585
#290 #290
Instructor D.A. Lane by his operating office - Mile 127
Location: Mile 127, Manitoba
Source: Library & Archives Canada E004665586
#296 #296
R.M. Clark - Instructor at Churchill, 1930
Location: Churchill, Manitoba
Source: Library & Archives Canada E004665596
#297 #297
(l to r) Dr. Bradwin, F.O. Wishart, Jack Denoon, Gordon Richardson. H.B.R. July 1928
Location: Unknown
Source: Library & Archives Canada E004665597
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#300 #300
Hudson Bay Road, D.A. MacLeod
Location: Unknown
Source: Library & Archives Canada E004665605
#306 #306
Dr. Bradwin
Location: N/A
Source: Library & Archives Canada E004665624
#307 #307
Instructor R.M. Clark, B.A. Graduate Univ. of Toronto. Location: Fort Churchill, HBR
Location: N/A
Source: Library & Archives Canada E004665626
#308 #308
Part of a study group
Location: Unknown
Source: Library & Archives Canada E004665630
#309 #309
J.W. Kerr - Toronto (Arts) H.B. Ry. Mile 494
Location: N/A
Source: Library & Archives Canada E004665631
#355 #355
December 22, 1927 on top of water tank, Gillam Post, Mile 327
Location: Gillam, Manitoba
Source: Library & Archives Canada E004665622
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Frontier College was originally called the "Reading Camp Association" when it was started in 1899 by Rev. Alfred Fitzpatrick. Although the name was changed to Frontier College in 1913 (incorporated in 1919), its mission to improve literacy by bringing education to those most in need remained unchanged.

At the turn of the 20th century, Fitzpatrick's approach was to negotiate a unique arrangement with Canadian railway and mining companies. Teams of hardy volunteer literacy instructors, recruited from universities across the country, were sent to remote rail and mining camps at which they would work paid manual labour jobs during the day, Their evenings and weekends; however, were spent teaching the men they worked beside during the workweek. Courses ranged from basic English language skills to high school subjects.

Despite the long hours of difficult and often dangerous physical labour, the isolation of the remote work camps, and the additional demands of teaching in their "off hours," Frontier College drew vast numbers of volunteer labourer-teachers, some of whom returned year after year, well beyond the minimum seasonal commitment of a single 6 month term.

Rev. Fitzpatrick's vision and commitment continue to this day as

Frontier College adapts to, and addresses, the needs of those on the periphery with the help of a dedicated national network of volunteers. These volunteers tutor people from all walks of life - adults in the workplace, homeless street youth, prison inmates, people with disabilities and newcomers to Canada.[1]

 

 

[1] "A Short History of Frontier College," frontiercollege.ca. See the Frontier College website for more information and historical photographs.