I started working at the Manitoba Museum in 1980. In my previous job with the Western Canada Pictorial Index, I had started collecting contemporary events in photographs. I was given the opportunity of doing more documentary work at the museum. The Belgian Pigeon Racers were part of a larger project on the Belgian community in Manitoba and the first project I worked on with Steve Prystupa, Chair of Multicultural Studies at the Manitoba Museum. Due to budget and overtime restraints, I worked as a free agent; photographing the event on spec (speculation) that it might be used/purchased later.
Sadly, these ended up on the cutting room floor… so to speak.
But it did become the template for work I did with Steve and other curators.
With thanks to the gentle men in the photographs…
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14 Responses
Wow talk about a bygone era!
I think there is still an active community … not sure if the pandemic restrictions altered that …
Had no idea there were so many pigeon racers in Saint-Boniface. Nice exhibit Robert.
They were all such good fellows … loved photographing them, but still can’t tell one pigeon from another…
haha 🙂
I love all the different cotes. Great essay, Rob.
Thank you Sheila …
Love the gallery, And you are right, its hard to tell one from the other. But sure they are all great speedsters 🙂
Thank you …
Fine body of work Robert; thanks for posting
Thank you Richard
Terrific photos, Rob. Fascinating, and rekindled memories from the late 1960’s of my neighbour and all his pigeons.
Thanks George … hope you’re having a good summer
It’s good to see some of these photos again, Rob. What a fascinating activity you have documented here!