Indigenous Rights Advocacy

Ruth Gorman spent much of her life advocating for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Volunteering her legal knowledge, Gorman worked as a volunteer legal advisor for the Indian Association of Alberta (IAA) where she joined Indigenous Peoples in fighting for Indigenous Land and Treaty Rights, as well as their right to self-determination. Her advocacy work included fighting against Canadian Pacific Railway extensions into reserves, advocating for education supports that were not Residential Schools, hunting rights, and many other direct correspondences with House of Commons officials, the Senate, and several Prime Ministers over the years.

  • A Letter From Your Member of Parliament

    File consists of a form letter from Lawrence E. Kindt, Member of Parliament in the Federal Constituency of Macleod regarding the potential transfer of responsibility for Indigenous peoples from the Federal to Provincial governments.

  • Address by the Director of Indian Affairs

    File consists of speeches with annotations by Ruth Gorman titled Address by the Director of Indian Affairs, The Future of the Canadian Indians delivered by Honourable J.W. Pickersgill, Member of Parliament (MP) to the Kiwanis Club in Edmonton, Alberta, and Assistance Available to Beginners in Agriculture, a report by R.F. Battle, Regional Supervisor of Indian Agencies.

  • In Fairness to Indians

    File consists of a newspaper editorial written by Ruth Gorman in the Calgary Herald.

  • Indian Association of Alberta miscellaneous records

    File consists of materials pertaining to Ruth Gorman's involvement with the Indian Association of Alberta and includes notes and the association letterhead which lists the membership of the association.

  • Indian Issues

    File consists of materials pertaining to issues for Indigenous people identified by Ruth Gorman and includes notes and drafts of essays and speeches. Also includes a page with Ruth Gorman's given Indian name Mountain White Eagle Girl" written in Assiniboine language, a hand-drawn map, a page from The Historical Magazine (1861) showing Micmac or Recollect Hieroglyphics, correspondence to Gorman, a report from the Canadian Bar Association Committee on Legal Status and Civil Rights of the Canadian Indian, and a flyer for an Indian Film Festival in Quebec.

  • Indians and Their History

    File consists of an editorial written by Ruth Gorman titled Indians and Their History. Also includes other newspaper clippings regarding the Hobbema case.

  • Letter to Ruth Gorman from Jean Chretien

    File consists of a letter from Jean Chretien, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development to Ruth Gorman regarding Gorman's opposition to the proposed appointment of an Indian Claims Commissioner. The letter has been annotated by Ruth Gorman.

  • Letter to Ruth Gorman from W. Littlechild

    File consists of a letter from Member of Parliament (MP) J. Wilton (Willie) Littlechild to Ruth Gorman.

  • Letter to S. Gilluly from Ruth Gorman

    File consists of a letter from Ruth Gorman to Sam Gilluly, Director of the Montana Historical Society regarding a story about Montana published in My Golden West magazine. Also includes notes about the historic movement of Indigenous people in Alberta.

  • Letters to L.H. Banks

    File consists of letters to L.H. Banks, Press Representative at the Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CPR). Also includes newspaper articles regarding Indigenous rights

  • Me and Schools in AIA

    File consists of letters to Ruth Gorman from R.A. Bell and Guy Favreau, Ministers of Citizenship and Immigration, and R.F. Battle, the Regional Supervisor of Indian Agencies in the Department of Citizenship and Immigration.

  • Newspaper clippings about Ruth Gorman

    File consists of newspaper and magazine clippings about Ruth Gorman, her life and work on the Hobbema case.

  • Norman K. Luxton newspaper article

    File consists of newspaper articles titled Indians Ask Revision…Proposed New Act, Indian Right to Hunt Confirmed, and Keeping Faith. Also includes a clipping photo of Norman Luxton with Tom Kaquitts and John Hunter of the Stoney tribe, at the Banff Indian Days

  • Presentation to the Sub-Committee on Indian Self-Government Public hearings

    File consists of presentations by Chief Bill Ear Sr. and Chief Frank Powderface to the Sub-Committee on Indian Self-Government Public Hearings. Also includes a letter to Ruth Gorman from Diane Leith, Secretary to the Chinkiki Band.

  • Ruth Gorman essay about The Moccasin Telegraph and Other Stories

    File consists of draft notes and essays by Ruth Gorman about W.P. Kinsella's book titled The Moccasin Telegraph and Other Stories and how it relates to the Hobbema case, as well as some notes related to her opposition to the mayor of Edson.

  • Ruth Gorman letters about The Moccasin Telegraph and Other Stories

    File consists of draft letters by Ruth Gorman to Ron and Johnnie regarding the W.P. Kinsella book titled The Moccasin Telegraph and Other Stories.

  • Ruth Gorman political contacts

    File consists of notes and drafts of papers written by Ruth Gorman, including names of potential political contacts.

  • Segregation, Canadian Style

    File consists of newspaper clippings titled Segregation, Canadian Style.

  • Senate reform letters and notes

    File consists of draft letters and notes by Ruth Gorman regarding Senate reform. Also includes a draft article on 'racial importance'.

  • Solicitor of Alberta Indian Association

    File consists of notes and draft materials written by Ruth Gorman about the history of the position of the solicitor to the Alberta Indian Association. Also includes information about the Hobbema case.

  • Speech by Ruth Gorman at Alberta Federation of Home and School Associations

    File consists of a summary of a talk given by Ruth Gorman at the 1956 Annual General Meeting of the Alberta Federation of Home and School Associations about the legal status of Canadian Indigenous people.

  • Speech to Secretaries of Schools Teacher's Convention 1968, Caroline Curtis

    File consists of notes and draft and final versions of articles and speeches by Ruth Gorman about women and women's issues.

  • The Buckskin Curtain

    File consists of an article titled Laurie's Fight for His Friends Behind The Buckskin Curtain about John Laurie's activities with Ruth Gorman and the Indian Association of Alberta.

  • The First Canadians speeches

    File consists of a series of speeches given under the heading The First Canadians, and includes Status of the Indian Canadian by Dr. M.C. Shumiatcher, The Education of Indian Canadians by Dr. J. G. Buck, Economic Problem of Indians in B.C. by Dr. S. Jamieson, Provincial Surveys and New Approaches by John Nelling, What Do The Indians Want? by Dr. Frank Vallee, Miss Emily General, Mr. Walker Ballhead, and Reverend Peter Kelly, and Policy for the Nations by Father Andre Renaud.

  • The last medicine man: Chief Walking Buffalo

    File consists of notes and drafts of an article written by Ruth Gorman about George McLean/Chief Walking Buffalo for My Golden West magazine.

  • Treaties

    File consists of draft and final versions of essays written by Ruth Gorman pertaining to problems faced with treaties placing Indians on reserves and other agreements, and with interaction with British settlers and a new culture. Also includes articles titled Drowning the Competition (Indigenous fishing rights) and Toxic Hawks at Beaverhill (poison found at a bird sanctuary.)
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