Selkirk has been and still is home to some extraordinary people over the years. Some gave their lives for a better tomorrow, others traveled the world, created recreation, and gave transportation. Learn how these great individuals shaped our beautiful city into what it is today.
Bill Shead was born in 1939 in the old Selkirk General Hospital on Idell Avenue. He was the eldest of seven siblings. Their parents Harry and Ruth (nee Asham) instilled them with pride in their Cree ancestry and identity. Bill’s father, and four other family members served in the Navy during WWII. They and Bill’s…
Robert “Bud” Stefan Oliver was Selkirk’s longest serving mayor from 1984-2002. Bud was born on July 16, 1937, in the old Selkirk General Hospital on Idell Avenue and has since lived almost his entire life in town. Bud has memories of being involved with many large developments and events in Selkirk over the years. Bud’s…
Gordon Howard was the driving force behind a thriving senior’s centre in Selkirk. In the latter years of his life, Gordon focused his energy towards improving the quality of life of senior citizens. His philosophy was that “senior citizens should not conform to the stereotypical image of being old, worn out, and useless that western…
Ruth Caroline Moody was born the youngest of four children on June 19, 1900, to Richard Compton Moody and Ester Adeline Moody. Richard had been a men’s clothing dealer in London, England. After discovering he had tuberculosis, he came to Canada in 1870 to help regain his health and started working on a farm in…
Darlene Swiderski is one of Selkirk’s elected City Councillors and Selkirk’s first elected First Nations woman councillor. Darlene’s start in community work began when she started working at Safeway in 1974. She enjoyed that the job allowed her to meet and connect with the people in Selkirk. She worked there for 27 years until 2002.…
“A gentleman who, we believe, had no an enemy in the world, warm-hearted and genial, whose smile of kindness was extended to everybody. Pleasant and accommodating in his public capacities. The loss is sustained by his departure is inherently felt.” – Excerpt from the Thomas Sinclair Jr’s Obituary, Selkirk Record March 16, 1888. Thomas Sinclair…
Early Career Dr. David Young was born in Sarnia, Ontario on February 18th, 1847. He graduated with a medical degree from Queens University in 1871. Shortly after completing his degree, his brother, Peter Young, influenced him to move to St. Andrews. One year later, he married Rosina Arabella Somerville from Quebec. They raised five children…
Through the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression, Selkirk was home to not only one of the most generous men, but one of the most unassuming as well. Robert Smith, most known for his position as General Manager at the Manitoba Rolling Mills would later be revealed as a silent giver and constant caretaker. Robert…
Chuck was born on November 10th, 1955. He was a genuine, outgoing, people-loving person, who had an infectious passion for fishing. This passion ultimately led him to singlehandedly secure the title, “Catfish Capital of North America” for his hometown, Selkirk, Manitoba. In his early teenage years, Chuck left his home to live with his best…
Humble Beginnings As with many early pioneer settlements, Selkirk’s fire protection was left to bucket brigades and whatever citizens were available to assist in battling the flames. After two very devastating fires in 1894 and 1896, where 20 buildings burned to the ground, Selkirk’s citizens established a volunteer fire brigade consisting of 12-15 men and…