Senator Joyce Fairbairn fonds
https://collections.galtmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions83635
- Date Range
- 1986-2007
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Accession No.
- 20131041
- Physical Description
- 0.6 m of textual records; over 100 photograph
- Scope and Content
- 001 Lethbridge Handicapped Riding Association 2000 002 LCI graduation speech 1999 003 Transfer of Lethbridge airport to Lethbridge County 1996 004 Official opening of Henderson Park and Alexander Wilderness Park – phot album 1986 005 Biographical materials – newspaper clippings 1990-2002 006 Kainai…
- Date Range
- 1986-2007
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Creator
- Joyce Fairbairn
- Physical Description
- 0.6 m of textual records; over 100 photograph
- History / Biographical
- Personal files of Senator Joyce Fairbairn reflecting her work as a Senator and Cabinet Minister in various community projects in Southwest Alberta. Senator Fairbairn, the first woman Senator from the Lethbridge area, has been involved in the Southern Albertan community all of her life and has contributed time, money, and love to many causes, organizations, and celebrations in Southern Alberta and Canada. Joyce Fairbairn was born at the Galt Hospital on November 6, 1939. She grew up in Lethbridge where she got her first experience as a journalist at the Lethbridge Herald while she was still in High School. Fairbairn earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of Alberta in 1960. Fairbairn then left Lethbridge to attend Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario where she earned a Bachelor of Journalism in 1961. After graduation, Fairbairn began working for the Herald’s Ottawa Bureau, the Ottawa Journal, and United Press International in the Parliamentary Press Gallery. Fairbairn was known as one of the first “female newsmen.” She worked as a journalist in Ottawa from 1961-1970 and was the first journalist to report on the new Canadian flag selection as well as covered Jackie Kennedy and President Kennedy’s visit to Ottawa in 1961. The Lethbridge Herald proudly continued to publish her work from 1965-1969. In 1970 Fairbairn became the Legislative Assistant and, later, the Communications Coordinator for Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Fairbairn worked with Trudeau until 1984 when she was appointed to the Senate. After Fairbairn was appointed to the Senate in 1984 it quickly became clear that she would not be limited to the Red Chamber. Senator Fairbairn quickly became known for attending Southern Albertan milestones, openings, celebrations, and even the occasional cake decorating contest. Senator Fairbairn became well known throughout Southern Alberta because, as one constituent commented, “she cared enough to come”. Senator Fairbairn also became involved with many organizations and causes such as, the Paralympics, the Calgary Stampede, Books for Babies, and the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre. Fairbairn was present for celebrations in Southern Alberta such as, Lethbridge’s Centennial Celebration, Whoop Up Days, and many University of Lethbridge Convocations. Senator Fairbairn was also an active member of the Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association where she adopted a horse named “Dooley”. In 2008 the Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association honoured Senator Fairbairn with a lifetime membership. Senator Fairbairn’s devotion to Canada and the Southern Albertan community was also recognized by many other organizations. In 1990 she was inaugurated into the Kainai Chieftainship, where she received the name Chief Morning Bird Woman. Fairbairn was also made an Honourary Colonel of the 18th Air Defense Regiment, RCA. She was also made a Honourary Air Marshal and frequently attended the International Air Show at Lethbridge, Alberta. In addition, she was awarded with a Honourary Doctorate of Law by the University of Lethbridge in 2003. While Fairbairn was known for being present in the Southern Albertan community she was also known for her many accomplishments in Parliament. Her career as Senator began as the Vice-Chair of the National Liberal Caucus and the Western and Northern Liberal Caucus until 1991 when she was appointed Co-Chair of the National Campaign Committee. By 1993 Senator Fairbairn was appointed to Privy Council as the first woman to hold the position of Leader of Government. She also became the first Minister with Special Responsibility for Literacy. In 1997 she was appointed the Special Advisor on Literacy to the Minister of Human Resources Development Canada. In addition, Senator Fairbairn was the driving force behind making the Famous Five Honourary Senators and erecting a honourary statue celebrating the Famous Five on Parliament Hill. Senator Fairbairn retired from the Senate on January 18, 2013.
- Scope and Content
- 001 Lethbridge Handicapped Riding Association 2000 002 LCI graduation speech 1999 003 Transfer of Lethbridge airport to Lethbridge County 1996 004 Official opening of Henderson Park and Alexander Wilderness Park – phot album 1986 005 Biographical materials – newspaper clippings 1990-2002 006 Kainai historical 1993-2003 007 18th Air Defence Regiment Lethbridge 1992-2007 008 Robert Burns dinners 1982-2001 009 Senate – Aboriginal People – Post-secondary Education 1987-1989 010 Senate – Aboriginal People – Lubicon Land Claim 1988-1993 011 Millennium letters and responses 1999 012 Blood Tribe Department of Health Inc. 1995 013 Report on the status of the Blood Tribe – Post-secondary and Adult Education – Red Crow Community College 1995 014 Blood Tribe 1989-1996 015 Order of Canada 1992-2000 016 Calgary Zoo 2001-2006 017 Lethbridge Hurricanes 1999-2001 018 Friendship Force 2000-2003 019 18th Air Defence Regiment Lethbridge 1999-2003 020 Alberta Centennial 2005 021 Southern Alberta Art Gallery 2002 022 Lethbridge Airport 2001-2004 023 Western Parent Magazine 1997 024 Waterton 1998-2001 025 Jubilee medals 1996-2003 026 Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation 1983-2005 027 Newspaper clippings - Joyce Fairbairn 1982-1992 028 Water resources 2002-2005 029 Albert and H2O 2001-2002 030 UofL Water Building 2004 031 Peigan Deal 2002 032 Peigan Nation 1999-2000 033 Alberta - Kainai Chieftainship 1990-2004 034 Paul Martin BBQ letters 1999 035 Lethbridge drought 2000 036 Alberta infrastructure 2001-2003 037 Infrastructure announcement in Lethbridge 2001 038 Livestock - BSE [Mad Cow Desease] 2003-2004 part 1 039 Livestock - BSE [Mad Cow Desease] 2003-2004 part 2 040 Sugar Beet Growers 1998-2004 041 Alberta Soft Wheat 1999-2004 042 Personal Files - newsclippings 1955,2010, Cradle Roll and Baptism certificates, correspondence,Judge Fairbairm material, Thank you Notes from Birds of Prey,Tribute and Thanyou to Mayor Andy Anderson 1986, Receipe for Salad Dressing, Notes for presentation. 043 Fairbairn photographs: Senator Fairbarin with native children; Diefenbaker Dinner names on back; friends and family; Younger life; Celebrations Coaldale Parade, With Peter Noon Hermins Hermits, Dale Martin Senior, Rollar Rampage 2011; Paralymics Japan Joyce with the Delhi Lama; Joyce with her horse; 3 Black and white images in parliment with Prime Minister Trudeau; friends;family and Birthday wishes to May Farbairn from PM Trudeau 1982. 044 Debates of the Senate Vol. 148, #139 (Tribute to the Honourable Joyce Fairbairn, P.C.) 2013; Senator's ID card - Joyce Fairbairn Collection of posters and similar items 20191094 20191094-001 Sky Hawks 1997 - Canadian Forces Parachute Team 20191094-002 Photo collage poster - Prairie Acres Museum, Picture Butte 20191094-003 "Senator Joyce Fairbairn" sign 20191094-004 Air Force Association of Canada - 702 Wing's 60th Anniversary (2009) 20191094-005 Will Race for Food [chuck wagon] - Mark Sutherland, Grand Prairie, AB 20191094-006 Buddy Bensmiller [chuck wagon] 20191094-007 Certificate confirming Sen. Joyce Fairbairn as honorary member of the Blood Band under the name of Ksiskuni-piksaki, Morning Bird Woman 20191094-008 Snowbirds 27th Season (1997) 20191094-009 Snowbirds 30th Season (2000) 20191094-010 City of Lethbridge Mayors (1891-1985) 20191094-011 Certificate confirming Sen. Joyce Fairbairn as Honorary Colonel, 18th Defence Regiment RCA, by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second (1998) 20191094-012 Tora Tora Tora Ghost Squadron [2008 Alberta International Air Show] 20191094-013 No Air Show Like It in the World - The 69th Battalion Special Operations Group 20191094-014 69th SOG - The 69th Battalion Special Operations Group
- Notes
- Special newspaper sections are in the newsclipping files
- Accession No.
- 20131041
- Collection
- Archive