An address entitled "Consultation - An Adventure in Mature Discussion" was delivered by Elsie Austin. [CBN No 18 March 1951 p6]

In nine years Winnipeg had gone from a Bahá'í goal to the host of the Bahá'í Community of Canada for its National Convention. At that time it had the highest rate of annual growth in the Bahá'í Community of Canada, suggesting a vitality not found in but few other communities. About one quarter of the new converts between 1937 and 1947 went pioneering. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p20; OBCC207-210]

Rosemary Sala gave the lessons and presided over the discussions.

Study subjects were: “This Earth One Country”, “The Oneness of Mankind and the Abolition of Race Prejudice”, and “The Oneness of Religion”.

Recreational activities included swimming in the Bureau River, horseback riding, helping resident Bill Suter putting up hay, and a campfire picnic. [BW11 p 404]

• From 1939 to 1940 she worked for the Dominion Bureau of Statistics and subsequently for the Department of Munitions and Supply until 1941 when she left for Toronto. Subject to racism in Canada she settled in Czechslovakia in the late 1940's after living in England and Germany. [OBCC152, 224]
• For a photo see OBCC144.

Originally she had been attracted to the Faith by publicity from the New History society but rejected the mixture of "truth and superstition".

The varied program provided daily talks and discussions based on the outline 'Deepening the Spiritual Life'; study of the first part of 'The Promised Day Is Come' (led by Miss Winnifred Harvey); separate talks on 'Bahá'í Administration' (Siegfried Schopflocher, Ragnar Mattson, and Lou Boudler); 'Bahá'í Attitude towards Christianity' (Mrs. Agnes King); and 'Post-War Reconstruction' (John De Mille). Lorol Schopflocher contributed an account of her journeys to Central America and the British West Indies, and Emeric and Rosemary Sala gave us stories of their experiences in Venezuela and Columbia. [OBCC268; BW9:28; TG84; BN No 149 December 1941 p5; OBCC189]

• It was attended by 112 Bahá'ís, 19 of them delegates. The country-wide membership was less than 500. [BC Vol 9 No 8 October 1987 p17]
• Those elected were: John Robarts (chair), Emeric Sala (vice), Laura Davis (sec'y), Siegfried Schopflocher (tres), Rowland Estall, Lloyd Gardner, Ross Woodman, Rosemary Sala, and Doris Richardson. [BN No 207 May 1948 105BE p3]
• See BW11:160, 184, Bahá'í Historical Facts for pictures.
• The first National Convention was held in the Maxwell home (in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's home as will be the election of the Universal House of Justice some 15 years hence.) with 13/19 delegates from all the provinces attending. (Six were unable to attend due to a flood.) Those elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly were: Laura Davis, Rowland Estall, Lloyd Gardner, Doris Richardson, John Robarts, Emeric Sala, Rosemary Sala, Siegfried Schopflocher, and Ross Woodman. [TG110, OBCC269-272]
• For a picture of the first Canadian National Spiritual Assembly see OBCC148.
• For Ruhiyyíh Khanum's Message to the first Canadian Convention see BN212 October 1948 pg2-t and Part II of the same address can be found at BN213 Novembe3r 1948 pg10-11.

• Mention in CBN No38 Feb 1953 p6, "Gerda and Noel Wuttunee are at present residing in this community at 10958 - 84th Avenue and will remain in Edmonton for the winter."
• In 1950 he served on the "Prairies Indian Committee". [CBN No 15 September 1950]
• He may have been a resident of Winnipeg originally. [OBCC209-210, 227]
• See OBCC144 for a photo.
• See BW12p793 for a photo of Noel and his wife.

• The farmhouse was improved and enlarged, two additional cottages were built, two mor wells were dug, part of the barn was rebuilt into a lecture hall. The property was offered for use by the Canadian Youth Hostel Association and was used by the Bahá'ís for winter and summer schools for more than twenty-five years. [TG109]
• When the National Spiritual Assembly was formed two years later this property became its first endowment. [CBN No 15 September, 1950 p5]

• Another source, says the date of her declaration was August 5, 19

• Shoghi Effendi called her "the spiritual mother of Canada" Montreal "the mother city of Canada. [OBCC35]
• Shoghi Effendi awarded her the honour of a 'martyr's death' and designated her as a Disciple of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. [BW8:631; MA38]
• She was the first Bahá'í on European soil and the "mother" of both the French and the Canadian Bahá'í communities. [PP149]
• For her "In Memoriam" and tribute written by Marion Holley see BW8p631-642.
• Hooper Dunbar quoted Shoghi Effendi in his cable to the friends in Iran announcing her passing:
  
  May Maxwell, the severed teacher firebrand of the love of God and spreader of the fragrances of God Mrs Maxwell, forsook her native land and hastened to the most distant countries out of love for her Master and yearning to sound the call to the Cause of her Lord and her inspiration, until she ascended to the highest summit attaining the rank of martyrdom in the capital of the Argentine. The furthermost boundary the countenances of paradise invoke blessings upon her in the glorious apex saying, may she enjoy with healthy relish the cup that is full and brimming over with the wine of the love of God for the like of this should the travaillers travail. Inform all the friends of the announcement of this mighty victory. [A talk] given by Mr Dunbar 28:08]
• Shoghi Effendi asked her husband, Sutherland Maxwell, to design her tomb, which was to be a 'historic centre' for 'pioneer Bahá'í activity'. [BW8:642]
• For an account of the erection of the monument to her see PSBW83–6.

See photo at Worldwide Community of Bahá'u'lláh

• Note: The Committee of Friends of the Indian (after 1951 known as the Friends of the Indians Society), was led by Reta Rowan. [Seen but Not Seen: Influential Canadians and the First Nations from the 1840s to Today by Donald B. Smith]

• For a description of this event see BW10:158–61.
• For the programme see BW10:162–70.
• For a list of the countries participating in the conference see BW10:168.
• This event was attended by a number of Canadian Bahá'ís. iiiii

CANADIAN BAHÁ'Í WHO SIGNED THE 1944 CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION REGISTER

Note: The Register had been made by Charles Mason Remey. Approximately 941-971 Bahá'ís signed the Register out of the 1,484 Bahá'ís who registered for the 1944 Centennial Commemoration in Wilmette and Chicago, IL. Most Bahá'ís signed their name and put their city and state, province or country.

1. Charles N. Murray, Ottawa, Canada
2. Madeleine Humbert, Halifax, N.S.
3. Audrey Robarts, Toronto, Canada
4. Beulah S. Proctor, Halifax, N.S.
5. Doris Richardson, Toronto, Canada
6. Laura Romney Davis, Toronto
7. Ethel A. Priestly, Toronto
8. Rena Millie Gordon, Regina, Sask.
9. Siegfried Schopflocher, Montreal
10. Theresa Lillywhite, Regina, Sask.
11. Lotus Peterson, Regina, Sask.
12. Florence H. Cox, Regina, Sask.
13. Edna Colpitts, Moncton, New Brunswick
14. Anna A. McGee, Edmonton, Alta.
15. Emeric Sala, St. Lambert, Canada
16. John A. Robarts, Toronto, Canada
17. Helen Giddin, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada
18. Anita Ioas, Edmonton, Alberta
19. Winnifred Harvey, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
20. Annie B. Romer, Halifax, N.S., Canada
21. I.J. Fox, Vancouver, B.C.
22. Zara B. Phonic, Regina, Sask. [spelling of last name uncertain]
23. Edna M. Hollaway, Charlottetown, PEI
24. Muriel Hutchings, Halifax, N.S.
25. Jean Mosher, St. Lambert, Quebec
26. Maiaret Laurie (Spelling?), St. Lambert, Quebec
27. Rowland Estall, Winnipeg, Manitoba
28. Doris McKay, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
29. Jean Johnston, Winnipeg, Manitoba

An address entitled "Consultation - An Adventure in Mature Discussion" was delivered by Elsie Austin. [CBN No 18 March 1951 p6]

• Lillian Tomlinson (later Prosser) had been the first Winnipeg resident to become a Bahá'í. [Bloodworth, Grains of Wheat p10]

Note: On 1 January 1972, the city of Winnipeg amalgamated with old Winnipeg and Metro along with the rural municipalities of Charleswood, Fort Garry, North Kildonan, and Old Kildonan; the Town of Tuxedo; the cities of East Kildonan, West Kildonan, St. Vital, Transcona, St. Boniface, and St. James-Assiniboia into one city.

• The first to respond to their teaching was a white couple, Bert and Elizabeth Curtis. [CBN 15 September 1950 p8-9]
• Later Melba Loft became the first woman ever to he nominated as a candidate for election to the Indian Council (First Nation Council) of the Tyendinaga Reserve (Tyendinaga First Nation). [CBN No49 Feb 1954 p5]
• Evelyn Loft was officially commended by the government agent for the honour she has brought to the reserve by her excellent standing at Belleville Collegiate Institute. [CBN No49 Feb 1954 p5]

She first heard of the Faith at the age of 21 in 1899 under miraculous circumstances. [Mabel Ives & The Mysterious Trolley Car Ride]

In 1903 she married Theron Canfield Rice-Wray and they lived in California from 1909 to 1914 where her marriage ended and she returned to the East. In 1919 she met Howard Colby Ives and they married in 1920. They teamed with another couple, Grace and Harlan Ober as well as Doris and Willard McKay in both business and the teaching work, moving from one virgin territory to another.

• See Fires in Many Hearts - Memoirs of an early American believer by Doris McKay.

See the story of how Mabel resolved the situation when she could no longer tolerate the itinerate lifestyle in the story When Mable Ives Could Endure No More, She Prayed .

In 1937, the suggestion was made that Moncton, New Brunswick would be a fertile ground for the Cause. The Ives went. During the first six weeks of her stay, Mrs. Ives gave public lectures, radio addresses and formed a study class. She introduced the Faith to St. John, N.B., Halifax, N.S. and Charlottetown, P. E. I. Her untiring efforts, led to Moncton, NB forming the first Spiritual Assembly in the Canadian Maritimes, April 21st, 1937.

In spite of Howard's failing health, they travelled to Toronto in November of 1938 for ten months to assist in the formation of Toronto's first Spiritual Assembly. Rizwanea served on that new Spiritual Assembly until she left Canada. She gave more than 150 lectures in Toronto and 70 in Hamilton, Ontario, Toronto's expansion goal. Howard, although experiencing heart problems and rapidly losing both his sight and hearing complemented her abilities by doing personal deepening with receptive souls downstairs, while she would be presenting the Teachings upstairs.

See the tribute paid to her in the Canadian Bahá'í News No 202 November 1966 p4.

"The development of the local and national Funds must be continuously maintained as a prelude to the establishment of local and national endowments and the ultimate erection of a House of Worship that will incarnate the soul of a flourishing nation-wide community." [MtC114]

• He and his wife Mabel spent nearly the last twenty years of his life as itinerant teachers. (Often teamed up with the Obers and the McKays) For example they came to Toronto in November of 1938 and stayed for about 10 months. During that time Mabel gave more than 150 lectures in Toronto and about 70 in Hamilton, Toronto's expansion goal. Howard, who was had had heart problems and who was rapidly losing for sight and hearing at the time, complemented her abilities by doing personal deepening with receptive souls. [TMLF62-67, SEBW139-154]

Some of his works were:

• The Ocean of His Utterances Unpublished study course in the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh using the books of Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l‑Baha, and Shoghi Effendi, compiled and with commentary by Ives. Not yet formatted.
• Portals to Freedom (1937) A collection of anecdotes and history of Abdu'l-Baha's travels to the United States, as told by one observer. [BEL7.1313 to 7.1320]
• The Song Celestial (1938) A mystical book about Mr. Ives' search for God, in which a seeker asks God various questions, and God responds. [BEL7.1321-1322]
• Also see Mother's Stories: Recollections of Abdu'l-Baha by Muriel Ives Barrow Newhall (Daughter of Howard and Mabel Ives)

• This marked the beginning of the second epoch of the Formative Age. [CB316; CF5–6]
• For details of the plan see BW16:81–2.

• The objective was to expand the Faith into Newfoundland and Greenland. [BBRSM158] Note: Newfoundland (then called Newfoundland and Labradour) did not join Confederation until the 31st of March 1949.

Should the fire of the love of God be kindled in Greenland, all the ice of that country will be melted, and its cold weather become temperate—that is, if the hearts be touched with the heat of the love of God, that territory will become a divine rose garden and a heavenly paradise, and the souls, even as fruitful trees, will acquire the utmost freshness and beauty. Effort, the utmost effort, is required. Should you display an effort, so that the fragrances of God may be diffused among the Eskimos, its effect will be very great and far-reaching. [TDP28]

• The pdf for the Act can be found here.
• The National Spiritual Assembly members at that time were John Aldham Robarts, of the city of Toronto, province of Ontario, manager; Emeric Sala, of the city of St. Lambert, province of Quebec, manufacturer; Dame Laura Romney Davis, wife of Victor Davis of the city of Toronto, province of Ontario; Siegfried Schopflocher, of the city of Montreal, province of Quebec, manufacturer; Rowland Ardouin Estall, of the city of Montreal, province of Quebec, insurance broker; Ross Greig Woodman, of the city of Toronto, province of Ontario, lecturer; Lloyd George Gardner, of the city of Toronto, province of Ontario, wholesaler; and Dame Doris Cecilia Richardson, wife of J. P. Richardson, of the city of Toronto, province of Ontario; and Dame Rosemarv Scott Sala, wife of the said Emeric Sala, of the city of St. Lambert, province Corporate of Quebec.
• See Shoghi Effendi's letter of 19 June, 1949 for his comments.
  "an event twice hailed by Shoghi Effendi in the documents published here as "a magnificent victory unique in the annals of East and West". [MtCpvii]

• She had first arrived in Edmonton in 1912 where she studied to become a nurse. Some time after graduation she moved to BC where she accepted the Faith.
• In 1925 she returned to AB where she spent the rest of her life promoting the Faith. [The Distance Traversed: a presentation by Bev Knowlton and Joan Young 2022]

• The Vancouver Bahá'í Archives has a photo of the first Bahá'í group in Edmonton in 1942 with Anne McGee, Lyda Martland, Milwyn Davies, Kay Rimell, Anita Ioas (later Chapman). This photo is Plate 30 in OBCC152.

• "Their two goals were to gain male Bahá'ís, and increase membership from ethnic communities, longing to be "a truly international group"

• This book is not available for purchase but can be read at Bahaiworks.

Members of the first Spiritual Assembly of Ottawa were: Charles Murray, Marion TreDennick, Kenneth McLaren, Edna Hughes, Francoise Rouleau, Gladys Young (Harvey), Winnifred Harvey, Lucile Giscome and Helen Bidden

• See OBCC62 or RT14 for the story of how he saw 'Abdu'l-Bahá in the window of His passing train in 1912 as He travelled from Montreal to Buffalo.

• He is believed to be the third French-Canadian to become a Bahá'í outside of Canada. [OCBB94]
• He gave an address to the National Convention at the Hotel McAlpine on the 28th of April, 1919 entitled The Oneness of the World of Humanity. [SoW Vol 10 May 17, 1919 No 4 p58] "This talk 'sounded so French-Canadian' that later francophone believers could still be moved to tears in reading its text." [OCBB94]
• He received widespread publicity for his opening of bread lines in New York (The Stepping Stone) and for "auctions" of the jobless to employers in New York and Boston during the Depression of 1921. He was received by President Warren Harding shortly after arriving in Washington, D.C. in September 1921. Ledoux spent a little over three months in Washington, D.C. 1921-22 campaigning for a public works program funded by a tax on companies that made excessive war profits during World War I. His tactics included setting up a hotel housing the unemployed on Pennsylvania Avenue, an auction of the jobless, speaking before the unemployment conference, calling for the arrest of international arms conference delegates. He walked around the city carrying a white umbrella, a lighted lantern and a Bible or a copy of the Sermon on the Mount saying he was like Diogenes searching for an honest man.
• Urbain Ledoux is shown in Boston in 1921 auctioning off an unemployed man. He conducted these auctions in New York and Boston in order to garner publicity for the plight of the unemployed and to find work for the jobless. He called himself "Mr. Zero" because he said he didn't want any publicity for himself.
• "Mr. Zero" returned to Washington in 1932 with the Bonus Expeditionary Force, leading an unauthorized march on the White House July 16, 1932 that resulted in his arrest along with two others. The march frightened President Herbert Hoover who set in motion the eviction of the bonus marchers from the city—a move that backfired on Hoover and helped to cement his reputation as someone uncaring about the plight of the nation's unemployed. Photos.
• Find a grave.
• His obituary in the New York Times April 10th 1941.
• He is reported to have "rescued" 85 year-old Sarah Farmer in Portsmouth where she was being held in a sanatorium against her will. [Boston Post 4 August 1916]
• See a story from Ephemeral New York.
• There is a short description of Urbain LeDoux in He Loved and Served: The Story of Curtis Kelsey p 33-34.

• Prior to 1944 delegates to the National Convention were chosen from local communities by proportional representation. [BN No 16 March 1927 p1 refers] After this point delegates no longer represented Local Assemblies but were chosen on a provincial (or state) basis. [MA70-71; OBCC157, 174n2]
• In 1944 there were 35 delegates to the National Convention. iiiii