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#117 The Steel Advances. Labourers-teachers of the Frontier College, ca. 1909 - 1929
Location: Unknown
Source: Library & Archives Canada
C056928
#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
Boxes of magazines & books for shipment to camps
Location: Unknown
Source: Library & Archives Canada
C056830
#151 School tent at outpost
Location: Unknown
Source: Library & Archives Canada
E004665628
#152
Comfortable quarters for study
Location: Unknown
Source: Library & Archives Canada
E004665629
#290 Instructor D.A. Lane by his operating office - Mile 127
Location: Mile 127, Manitoba
Source: Library & Archives Canada
E004665586
#296
R.M. Clark - Instructor at Churchill, 1930
Location: Churchill, Manitoba
Source: Library & Archives Canada
E004665596
#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
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]
