The dining hall mural

At the risk of busting open a hornet's nest, I've spent the last while going through all the photos I have that show the mural in the dining hall.

For almost 40 years it was a fixture in camp, something that everyone saw, but few took the opportunity to really look.

Former camp director Hal Studholme painted it in 1961, to the right of the kitchen food-serving-hasher window, to accurately depict the traditional dress of Canada’s First Peoples.

Click here to see the album I've put together: 

It appears the mural - Hal painted similar ones in the old rec hall, also included in the photo album - may have been painted over in the late 1990s before the dining hall was repanelled.

However, no one, at least so far, can say with any degree of authority if that actually happened.

Perhaps Hal's mural was merely covered up by pine tongue and groove.

Is it worth looking to find out? It would take minimal effort to remove a couple of board's to take a peek. If it's still intact, perhaps then we can have a proper discussion about whether to preserve it.

Frankly, we've done a pretty poor job of keeping camp artifacts. We cram old plaques into boxes and what we think is too old and useless we either sink in the lake or burn.

Maybe this is our chance to make amends. Maybe.

"Leave it covered," Says Hal. "I did the thing with nothing but the deepest respect for the First Nations people it represented. I still hold that respect as my hallmark. Someone suggested that ‘good intentions’ don’t matter. If that is true, what else guides us? My conscience is clear in this regard. 

"I will bring along to the 125th a B&W photo of the mural and have it displayed near the wall to show what once was there, just for the historical record," Hal adds. "I have loved and tried to serve Stephens for 56 years. That must count for something, maybe good intentions?  

"Bless you all. Hal”

Below is a Facebook discussion on this topic that took place over several days more than a year ago.

- Bruce Owen

Hal Studholme

January 5, 2015

I don't understand Facebook but I discovered a picture that shows the Indian mural I painted in 1961, the year the dining hall was built. It was covered up in the 1970s(?) because a school teacher thought it was 'racist' and complained. I'd love to see it uncovered again before i pass on and at least get a photo. It took all summer to paint, after lights out with one 40 watt bulb for light! Thanks for the reminder. Hal

48 Comments

9Les Robinson and 7 others

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Ken Mason I can make some inquiries to see if anything can be done. Sadly, it may no longer exist, and at best it would be very difficult to access. The dining hall was re-recovered and finished in 2002, and likely a time or two between that one and the '70's. But there is no harm in asking. I'll speak with Wayne who would have overseen the 2002 work and Mike who is currently responsible for Camp.

January 5, 2015 at 9:20am · Edited · Like

Ken Mason Wish me luck, I'll do my best.

January 5, 2015 at 9:19am · Like

Brian Robert The mural was/is wonderful. As a staff person I watched HBS do the painting. It took a long time Hal but it was a wonderful contribution to Camp and one part of an Aboriginal education program at CS for many years. The mural as I recall depicted the various tribes and cultures of our Aboriginal ancestors from across our great nation.

January 5, 2015 at 10:40am · Like

Lynda MacIntosh I asked this question then(when it was covered up) and I ask it again now. What exactly is racist about celebrating the various tribes and cultures of our Aboriginal ancestors? This was a travesty and an injustice then and if the mural is lost for good, we have lost a piece of our history.

January 5, 2015 at 12:03pm · Like · 4

Amy Hawkins-Bowman As far as I remember it was still present in the '90's. Lots if of discussion about covering it at that time.

January 5, 2015 at 1:10pm · Like

Heather Heinrichs If it is found, it would be great for some in depth discussion that includes the indigenous communities that it depicts about if it is appropriate for camp to have up or not.

January 5, 2015 at 1:34pm · Like · 5

Carol-Ann Magee funny, I was just thinking yesterday about the loss of that camp treasure, it always makes me sad that it was destroyed and I'd love to see it reconstucted if possible

January 5, 2015 at 2:08pm · Like

Hal Studholme Not sure if this will reply to all who responded to my “Plea” about the murals, but anyway…My understanding is that they were simply covered up by layers of plywood as a compromise to painting them out. I have one black and white photo of them taken li...See More

January 5, 2015 at 2:15pm · Like · 4

Jen Wetherow To my knowledge, it has been covered (twice) but not painted over.

January 5, 2015 at 2:32pm · Like

Michael Oldroyd I'll have a look through my pics from the 90's Hal. I'm certain I've got some partial colour images of the mural somewhere.

January 5, 2015 at 3:37pm · Like

Megan Kumar Here it is in '95

January 5, 2015 at 3:56pm · Like

Megan Kumar Gone in '96

January 5, 2015 at 3:56pm · Like

Megan Kumar I'm pretty sure it was covered but not painted over at that point. Perhaps Les Robinson or Maxime Caron remember?

January 5, 2015 at 3:59pm · Like · 1

Michael Oldroyd Alan MacKenzie posted this image just the other day with a partial of the mural Hal. Looks like the staff back in those days were allowed to bring their kids to camp smile emoticon

January 5, 2015 at 4:02pm · Like

Alan MacKenzie That was camp director Doug McCewen (sp?) who lived there with his wife, kids and dog.

January 6, 2015 at 7:43am · Edited · Like · 1

Jock Mc It was covered up in 1993 or 1994 I believe. I remember talking to Smitty about it at the time. I belive Megan Kumar is right, it was covered, not painted over.

January 5, 2015 at 4:07pm · Like

Don Cochrane I'm pleased to hear that it probably wasn't lost. I do recall some initial discussions about the mural and whether it should be removed. I don't think that anyone was objecting to the fact that it was supposed to celebrate native heritage - it was some...See More

January 5, 2015 at 4:42pm · Edited · Like · 1

Don Cochrane Here is a photo from a desecration that took place in the 80s...

January 5, 2015 at 4:39pm · Like

Maxime Caron I remember covering the painting with Les Robinson. Can't recall the year. We instaled plywood over the painting to protect it. If that would be removed I would imagine the painting to be in very good condition.

January 5, 2015 at 4:52pm · Like · 4

Brian Robert Don: Good memory, I too remember the signature, and how special it was. Thanks

January 5, 2015 at 9:23pm · Like · 1

Les Robinson Well it looks like I should weigh in. If memory serves, and I apologize if it does not. Hal's art work was covered in 1995. The staff of the time were not equipped to translate it's relevance to the current programing nor were they equipped to speak of...See More

January 5, 2015 at 11:25pm · Like · 5

Don Cochrane Les - thanks for this. I knew you'd likely know. I'm glad to hear that some thought was put into preserving this bit of Camp history. If memory serves, it likely takes up 3 sheets of plywood, maybe more, so perhaps something that could be relocated els...See More

January 6, 2015 at 12:13am · Like · 3

Michael Oldroyd Sorry Hal. Could only find a couple of grainy partials I'm afraid. Both from 1991. This one a Hillbilly Ho-down. With Me, Sean Ryan,Matt Hannay, Jeff? Ron Tomasson and Patrick Bergstrom. Bibs LaFleche also features in this priceless beauty!

January 6, 2015 at 3:37am · Edited · Like · 1

Michael Oldroyd This must have been 1991 final summer session with Camp Birchbark as Geoff Leggatt was at Camp - possibly running sailing camp?

January 6, 2015 at 3:30am · Like · 1

Michael Oldroyd Hal, I remember you and some of the others, includingLynda, coming to camp and speaking to us during our staff training week in the early 1990's. The stories you folks would tell were brilliant and it was a real pleasure to hear them. It was certainly...See More

January 6, 2015 at 3:49am · Edited · Like · 1

Ursula Wehner I am willing to speak with some of the elders from treaty3 as I am involved thru work with both bimose tribal council and Kenora chief advisory if the mural is uncovered regarding their thoughts on it.

January 6, 2015 at 7:19am · Like · 7

Hal Studholme Wow. An old guy like me could be easily overwhelmed by the action . my simple question/comment generated. I even noted a comment or two about uncovering it might in itself create controversy if ,in fact, it is seen as 'racist.'. This, like my original ...See More

January 6, 2015 at 12:13pm · Unlike · 10

Ron Tomasson hope to see you on the island Hal

January 6, 2015 at 2:10pm · Like

Les Robinson Looking forward to it Hal.

January 6, 2015 at 2:12pm · Like

Hal Studholme Let me know if this gets thru’

Hal

January 6, 2015 at 2:55pm · Like

Hal Studholme May have been the basic drawing I worked from for the mural (?) found in old Indian Lore files. Hal

January 6, 2015 at 5:01pm · Like

Zoë Herbert Routh From what I remember of the conversations there was a lot of strong sentiment that the First Nations programming, and the murals, were really akin to "playing Indians" and it felt somewhat wrong to be doing so - no matter the intention to show respect ...See More

January 6, 2015 at 5:36pm · Like · 8

Hal Studholme Lynda, See my last comment under my name (if I did it right!! Best to you and Laurie and thanks for your kind words Hal

January 7, 2015 at 9:14am · Like

Bruce Owen What was covered up can be uncovered. Perhaps this is a project we can get our collective wits together to preserve a bit of camp history not so much to celebrate it, but to continue this conversation leading up to the 125th.

If memory serves, there ...See More

January 7, 2015 at 10:12am · Like · 4

Eric Adams At the risk of prolonging this interesting thread, I thought I would make a few remarks. I was the Program Co-ordinator in 1995/96 and part of the Senior Staff that decided to preserve but cover the dining hall mural. There was, in our discussions lead...See More

January 7, 2015 at 10:28am · Like · 3

Eric Adams Sorry, I posted before completed...

January 7, 2015 at 10:28am · Like

Eric Adams But by 1995 it was time to reevaluate and change our program, not because the previous programs had been intended to be disrespectful or racist, but because thinking had changed about the appropriate way to respect indigenous peoples in a context of on...See More

January 7, 2015 at 10:44am · Like · 14

Jen Wetherow Thanks Eric Adams. Quick redirect of the topic here. Zoë Herbert Routh, you mentioned the removal of the six week plaques. I was at the helm during that period and made the final call to bring all the plaques down. It wasn't an attempt to create equali...See More

January 7, 2015 at 12:20pm · Like · 11

Alan MacKenzie Times do change. I don't suppose that the song involving a "Chinaman" and rolling down the hill like an aspirin pill is a current favorite. As for me, I'm still wrapping my head around wearing helmets and pfds and including girls...

January 7, 2015 at 12:28pm · Edited · Unlike · 3

Les Robinson Thank You Zoë Herbert Routh, Eric Adams, and Jen Wetherowfor your contributions to this thread and your service to the Camp community, we are better for it.

January 7, 2015 at 1:50pm · Like · 1

Zoë Herbert Routh Jen thanks for clearing that up! I can get off my never-needed soapbox now. The photos is a grand idea. That would be awesome! Eric - thanks for adding your eloquence to the recollection.

January 7, 2015 at 2:40pm · Like · 2

Punch Jackson Wow so many voices and decades heard from. The last "Council" was held in 1970 when Doug McEwen turned over the head dress to me as the incoming "Chief". That was the last Council. The staff team (1971) made a decision that we were not doing justice to the education side of the program. In all fairness I was not comfortable playing the Chief role.

January 7, 2015 at 3:44pm · Edited · Like · 1

Hal Studholme I sometimes get the sense that I should apologize for me service at Stephens. I am sorry I started this whole issue. Please let it die. Put it down to an old man and his reminiscences of another time best forgotten. Hal

January 7, 2015 at 3:33pm · Like

Punch Jackson Jumping forward to 2015 I think we have a tremendous opportunity to utilize the murals as the starting point for a renewed relationship with the local Band and elders. Oral history tells us that Davey had a good relationship with local first Nations pe...See More

January 7, 2015 at 3:49pm · Like · 5

Alan MacKenzie I don't know you, Hal, but don't think anyone feels you did anything except contribute to Stephens. Your mural is and was much appreciated and the great sensitivity that has developed around it and related issues reflects our times. We were all part of...See More

January 7, 2015 at 9:35pm · Like · 5

Michelle Wilson Gougeon If there are plans to incorporate Aboriginal education and Aboriginal perspectives I would love to be a part of that.

January 9, 2015 at 7:17pm · Like · 1

Aaron Stechesen Ah the wonderful world of PC Camp politics. Now I remember why I haven't been back in decades.

February 27, 2015 at 9:25pm · Like

Patrick Bergstrom I have lived on a reserve for 10 years. I think it is great. I grew up seeing that painting.

March 1, 2015 at 6:48am · Like · 1

How the "Big Camp" celebrated its 28th anniversary - July 31, 1927

From the August 6, 1927 edition of the Manitoba Free Press:

"Sunday was the big day of the entire camp when the second anniversary of the outdoor chapel and the twenty-eighth season of the camp was observed.

"Rev. Dr. C. W. Gordon was in charge of the service, and spoke on each individual's responsibility for rendering service."

This chapel service would have been held at its current site above Emblem Rock.

The original site of chapel was located just down the path from the log cabin towards Raspberry Rock (Click on the hyper-link to read about the history of chapel).

The old site is now kind of marshy and overgrown, but somewhere in the bush, not that far off the path, should be the remains of the original cairn. 

To read the 1927 Free Press story, click on the page:

 

Registration open for 125th anniversary

Registration for the 125th anniversary of YMCA-YWCA Camp Stephens is now open.


Please click here on the Winnipeg YMCA-YWCA's website for details and costs.


Registration is easy and quick.


There are several options to come out and visit the island July 30-31.

If you're on Facebook and haven't already found us, check out the YMCA-YWCA 125th Camp Stephens group.

Please use this Facebook group as a place to make plans, share stories and pictures, and share in the excitement the closer we get to July!  

And click here to hear Lisa Malbranck on CBC Radio describe her and her family's experiences at Camp Stephens.

1974 camp yearbook

Thanks to Paul Kane for sharing the 1974 Camp Stephens Yearbook. 

You can view or download it here.

Paul was on the 1974 six-week trip. It was led by Jamie Grant. Also on the trip were Louis Miller, Tim Davis, Fred Bulloch and Mike Partridge.

Athabasca River just north of Fort McMurray. Photo taken by Jamie Grant.

Sulphur Point on Great Slave Lake.

Camp Stephens '73

The 1973 camp year book

Go to camp in '73? 

Not sure? 

Download your PDF copy here to see if you can pick yourself out.

Not even born in 1973? Well, download your own copy to see if you can spot mom or dad.

Or download a copy anyway to get a glimpse of what camp was like in year in which Aerosmith released its first album (Yes, on vinyl), the Vietnam War came to an end and Justin's dad was prime minister.

August 1941

In the summer of 1941 news about the war in Europe and the Far East dominated the front page of the Winnipeg Free Press.

Except on Monday Aug. 4.

On this day a story ran on page two that Camp Stephens was under quarantine. Three cases of "infantile paralysis" had been confirmed.

Or polio, an infectious disease that attacks the central nervous system and can cause temporary and in serious cases permanent paralysis and even death. Thousands of Canadians were infected by polio in the years before the first vaccine was developed in the mid 1950s.

So health authorities swooped down on camp and placed it under quarantine, effectively cutting it off from the rest of the world. 

Within a few days, each of the stricken boys showed signs of a full recovery and the quarantine was lifted.