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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Pigeon cote of Frank Catris, Poseidon Bay, Winnipeg Mb
Pigeon cote of Frank Catris, Poseidon Bay, Winnipeg Mb
Pigeon cote of Frank Catris, Poseidon Bay, Winnipeg Mb
Pigeon cote of Frank Catris, Poseidon Bay, Winnipeg Mb
Frank Cartis and Andy Jodts, Poseidon Bay, Winnipeg Mb
Roger Jodts working on race clocks, La Riviere, Winnipeg Mb
Pigeon cote of Roger Jodts, La Riviere, Winnipeg Mb
Pigeon cote of Roger Jodts, La Riviere, Winnipeg Mb
Pigeon cote of Roger Jodts, La Riviere, Winnipeg Mb
Pigeon cote of Roger Jodts, La Riviere, Winnipeg Mb
Roger Jodts with his favourite racing pigeon, La Riviere, Winnipeg Mb
Pigeon cote of Roger Jodts, La Riviere, Winnipeg Mb
Andrew Baert with trophies, rue de la Morenie, Winnipeg Mb
Pigeon cote of Andrew Baert, rue de la Morenie, Winnipeg Mb
Andrew Baert in pigeon cote, rue de la Morenie, Winnipeg Mb
Pigeon cote of Andrew Baert, rue de la Morenie, Winnipeg Mb
Pigeon cote of Andrew Baert, rue de la Morenie, Winnipeg Mb
Andrew Baert with his best racing pigeon, rue de la Morenie, Winnipeg Mb
Pigeon cote of Andrew Baert, rue de la Morenie, Winnipeg Mb
Andrew Baert in pigeon cote, rue de la Morenie, Winnipeg Mb
Mitch Houssin with trophy and best racing pigeon, Dubuc St, Winnipeg Mb
Pigeon cote of Mitch Houssin, Dubuc St, Winnipeg Mb
Pigeon cote of Mitch Houssin, Dubuc St, Winnipeg Mb
Pigeon cote of Marc Bockstael rue Dumoulin, Winnipeg Mb
Marc Bockstael in pigeon cote, rue Dumoulin, Winnipeg Mb
Pigeon cote of Marc Bockstael rue Dumoulin, Winnipeg Mb
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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!