Sound recordings of oral history interviews conducted as part of Recollections of Our Pioneer Past, an Opportunities for Youth (OFY) program established by the Government of Canada. The project was conducted by university and high school students from May 21 to August 31, 1973 and involved nine researchers collecting data from original Saskatchewan homesteaders and their descendants. A total of 4500 questionnaires were mailed to people across the province, 1500 of which were returned. On the basis of these results, interviews were recorded with a select few. Interviews were conducted by OFY employees Kenneth Falconer, Wendee Knuttila, Brian Williams, Geri Trenker, Mike Dalidowicz and Pam Moore. Summaries, agreements and a copy of the final report are included in the Audio Transcript files.
Interviewees are as follows (alphabetical by surname):
Bill Andrews, Maymont (Tape R-5593) speaks of how his family came to homestead in the Maymont area and how the district grew as more people came. 25 minutes.
Albert Back, Raymore (Tape R-5586) speaks of homesteading with his brother near Raymore, grain prices, and issues of today such as small towns disappearing and co-operative farms. 30 minutes.
Jacob Fehler, Wolseley (Tape R-5587) speaks of his family's background as blacksmiths in Austria, settlement in the Wolseley area, homesteading and blacksmithing. 50 minutes.
Paul Hanson, Yorkton (Tape R-5585) speaks of homesteading near Yorkton. 10 minutes.
Alice Hickey, Regina (Tape R-5584) speaks of immigrating to Canada in 1912 and homesteading near Bethune. 45 minutes.
Michael Kinderchuk, Saskatoon (Tape R-5589) speaks of his family's emigration from the Ukraine, his father's involvement in farm organizations and interest in politics. 16 minutes.
Gerald Henry Langston, McLean (Tape R-5599) speaks of his family homestead in the McLean district, clearing land, prices for wheat and livestock, his involvement in the community, the formation of co-operatives and life during the Depression. 37 minutes.
Nellie Lintott, Raymore (Tape R-5580) speaks of her family background, immigration to Saskatchewan, husband's background, work as a grain inspector and involvement in community efforts. 35 minutes.
Victoria McCann, Moose Jaw (Tape R-5596) speaks of how her family came to homestead in the Marquis area, life during the Depression, the naming of Marquis, Tuxford and Keelerville and relates anecdotes of her life in the Marquis district. 35 minutes.
Florence MacDermott, Saskatoon (Tape R-5582) speaks of coming from Minnesota to homestead in 1914, her experiences with railways and comments on past and current issues. 30 minutes.
Alexander McLeod, Biggar (Tape R-5588) describes why he came to Saskatchewan, his homestead in the Biggar area, and community involvement. 20 minutes.
Katherine MacNamee, Wadena (Tape R-5583) speaks of homesteading in the Wadena area since 1906 and of young people today. 15 minutes.
Jessie Mair and Norman Mair, North Battleford (Tape R-5594) speak of their immigration to Saskatchewan and their experiences when they first arrived. 1973. 15 minutes.
Elizabeth Medernach, Saskatoon (Tape R-5581) talks about her personal background and homesteading experiences in the Muenster and Cudworth districts. 40 minutes.
Franklin Frederick Mohler, Maymont (Tape R-5579) speaks of his parents' immigration to Saskatchewan from the United States, hauling grain, the building of railroads, using oxen, the ethnicity of the community and selling grain. 41 minutes.
Exilda Montreuil, Rosetown (Tape R-5597) speaks of her homestead in the Rosetown district. 10 minutes.
Darius Moulding, Broadview (Tape R-5600) speaks of his family homestead in the Broadview district, involvement in the community and life during the Depression. 20 minutes.
Ernest Palmer, North Battleford (Tape R-5576; Tape R-5577) recalls his life in England, immigration to Canada in 1907 and experiences homesteading near North Battleford. 90 minutes.
Fred Polly, Moose Jaw (Tape R-5592) speaks of his family background, immigration to Canada from England and current issues such as western separatism. 30 minutes.
John Reid, Wadena (Tape R-5591) recalls homesteading near Wadena in 1905 and expresses his attitudes to current issues. 15 minutes.
Janet M. Russell, Calgary (Tape R-5598) speaks of how her family came to homestead in the Maple Creek district. 50 minutes.
Mr. Sloane and Evelyn Sloane, Maymont (Tape R-5593) reminisce about Bill Anderson, the original homesteader of their farm. 5 minutes.
Charles Stevenson, Foam Lake (Tape R-5595) speaks of his homesteading experiences in the Melby district. 30 minutes.
Arthur Thorpe, North Battleford (Tape R-5576; Tape R-5577; Tape R-5578) speaks of coming to Saskatchewan in 1903 as a Barr Colonist, his first impressions, politics, the Depression, the co-op store and several jobs he and his brother held when they first came to Saskatchewan. 42 minutes.
Gertrude Wilson, Kindersley (Tape R-5590) describes her family background and homestead in the Kindersley area in 1911. 41 minutes.
