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Norway House is a population centre of over 5,000 people, some 30 km (19 mi) north of Lake Winnipeg on the Nelson River. Manitoba. The town shares its name with the northern community of Norway House and Norway House 17, the reserve of the Norway House Cree Nation (Kinosao Sipi Cree Nation).
On August 8 1979 I photographed a protest by a group from Norway House representing the Metis within the community. The Manitoba Metis Federation president, John Morriseau, was present and spoke to the press. The dispute was with the government of Sterling Lyon, Conservative, and its funding priorities. The Metis protestors were also at odds with the Mayor of Norway House, Robert Lowe, and the Norway House Cree Nation (Kinosao Sipi Cree Nation). Job creation, community infrastructure funding and development research and funding were the issues reported on.
Some of the protest signs reference the Vietnamese Boat people in the news at the time.
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Norway House Metis protestors, Manitoba Legislative grounds, Winnipeg Mb
Norway House Metis protestors, Manitoba Legislative grounds, Winnipeg Mb
President of the Manitoba Metis Federation, John Morriseau (3rd from right) at Norway House Metis protest, Manitoba Legislature, Winnipeg Mb
Norway House Metis protestors and onlookers, Manitoba Legislative grounds, Winnipeg Mb
Norway House Metis protestors and onlookers, Manitoba Legislative grounds, Winnipeg Mb
Norway House Metis protestors and onlookers, Manitoba Legislative grounds, Winnipeg Mb
President of the Manitoba Metis Federation, John Morriseau being interviewed at Norway House Metis protest, Manitoba Legislature, Winnipeg Mb
Norway House Metis protestors and onlookers, Manitoba Legislative grounds, Winnipeg Mb
John Morriseau and Norway House Metis protestors entering the Manitoba Legislative building, Winnipeg Mb
Norway House Metis protestors entering the Manitoba Legislative building, Winnipeg Mb
Norway House Metis protestors entering the Manitoba Legislative building, Winnipeg Mb
Norway House Metis protestors entering the Manitoba Legislative building, Winnipeg Mb
Norway House Metis protestors, Grand Staircase, Manitoba Legislative building, Winnipeg Mb
Norway House Metis protestors occupy the Rotunda, Manitoba Legislative building, Winnipeg Mb
Norway House Metis protestors, Manitoba Legislative grounds, Winnipeg Mb
Norway House Metis protestors and onlookers, Manitoba Legislative grounds, Winnipeg Mb
Norway House Metis protestors and onlookers, Manitoba Legislative grounds, Winnipeg Mb
Norway House Metis protest signs, Manitoba Legislative grounds, Winnipeg Mb
Norway House Metis protestors, Manitoba Legislative grounds, Winnipeg Mb
Norway House Metis protestors, Manitoba Legislative grounds, Winnipeg Mb
Norway House Metis protestors, Manitoba Legislative grounds, Winnipeg Mb
6 Responses
Always appreciate your work, Robert. Just been looking at an exhibition at the French National Archives of the work of photographers associated with Liberation, the newspaper initiated by Jean Paul Sartre 50 years ago. You’d fit right in. Great stuff.
Thank you Richard
I’m with them! Great essay (as usual), Rob. Were you working for someone or was it “just” for your own interest? Did anyone object to you photographing them, or were there lots of photographers? I suppose they’d want publicity, either way. I wonder about that one blonde woman – was it radical for her to be involved?
In August ’79, I was working at Jasper Park Lodge, oblivious. (I do remember the Boat People, though.)
I had been working at the U of W on a history project and had managed to convince my handlers that it would be a good idea to collect some photographs of current events … I documented solar panel projects, strikes, protest, etc. I had left by this time, but continued to work as a (sort of) visual anthro. It continued when I went to work for the museum; I photographed most current events as speculation that they would use it later (and pay) .
Your rigour & diligence with disseminating so much of your near 50-year catalogue is awe-inspiring, my friend.
Thank you Gord … much appreciated