Mrs Audrey Rayne presided at the name-giving ceremony for the two children of Mr and Mrs K Ross in Halifax. [CBN No 110 March 1959 p3]

The photo in this reference shows Indigenous believers of the Peigan Indian Reserve (Piikani First Nation), Blackfoot Confederacy, Alberta, Maggie Prairie Chicken, Rose Knowlton, Louise White Cow, Agnes Yellow Face, Councillor Samson Knowlton, Ben White Cow, Sam Yellow Face, and Allan (Otakkoyiisaapo'p) Prairie Chicken. Allan and Maggie Prairie Chicken were the first declarants of the Blackfoot nation in March 1958. [BN No 342 August 1959 p10]

See [MtC198-199] for a photo.

"The fortuitous combination of British solidity and good judgement and American get-up-and-go and enthusiasm, which has characterized Canada, must not be lost in the Canadian Bahá'í Community. Its members must demonstrate their out-standing abilities, and through a greater vision, more consecration and renewed self-sacrifice, arise and attain their goals." [CBN NO 92 Oct 1957 p1-2]

The October issue included a graphic that illustrated the reporting structure of the national committees. [CBN No 93 October 1957 p7]

The purchase was made possible because of the generosity of the Canadian believers as well as an "exceedingly generous bequest made to the Canadian Bahá'í Community, on his death, by Fred Schopflocher". [CBNNo 77 June 1956 p4]

Note: Canadian Bahá'í News August 1961 p10 reported that this took place in 1960.

See Shoghi Effendi's cable of 1 May 1955 and his letter to the National Spiritual Assembly dated 16 July 1955. [MtC220, 222]

Members at the time of incorporation were: Singe Saxton, Stella Pollexfen, Claire Atwood, Margaret Saxton, Angus Cowan, Bobbie Cowan, Ethel Martens, Moliie Macpherson, and Miron Thom.

1. Man's Relationship to God.
2. Man's Relationship to Society.
3. Society and Administration. [CBN No65 Jun 1955 p6]

"He considers the revised criteria you sent him for the Temple and Haziratu'l-Quds, as outlined in your letter of December 15th, satisfactory.
He is extremely anxious to have these properties purchased, either together in one-place, or if this is not feasible, then in two separate places, as he has already informed you. Eight of the eleven Temple sites have been purchased, and many of them in very difficult places; and he feels very strongly that it is a great pity that Canada should be behind-hand in this matter, in view of the fact that she is one of the oldest Bahá'í Communities in the world. No doubt the problem is more difficult for you to solve, owing to the special conditions in Toronto and vicinity; but we know that all problems are solvable for the Bahá'ís, with the power of God to help them; and he is eagerly awaiting news of your success."

He further clarified that while the Maxwell House was indeed a National Endowment it should not be considered as having fulfilled this objective of the Plan and a second one should be obtained. [MC2p222; CBN No 73 Feb 1956 p2]

The anniversary meeting of the Society, at which Cree First Nations danced with the skill of professionals, First Nations handicrafts and artifacts were displayed, and a full-blooded Haida spoke. His message was directed to the Native people to take up their responsibilities as citizens, to avail themselves of education and adapt themselves to the encroachment of modern civilization.

The Friends of the Indians (First Nations) Society did much during its 10 years of existence to promote its aims, through monthly meetings to which Indians are invited, through representations to government bodies, by enlightening public opinion through press releases, and through direct welfare and charity when needed. Its present executive committee include a Roman Catholic priest, a Unitarian minister, a Mormon elder, a Bahá'í, and others who are able to work together in harmony and unity. {CBN No63 PE 1955 P3]

The Guardian...urges you to concentrate on the native populations it is for that reason that we have opened new countries to the Faith. After all, Europeans, Americans, etc., can become Bahá'ís in their homeland. We have entered new fields all over the world to bring the light of divine guidance to the native population, who have thus far been deprived of the spiritual teachings of Bahá'u'lláh. May you be confirmed with this teaching effort among the natives. The great foal would be an assembly in Whitehorse, made up of native Bahá's or at least the majority natives..

It was through the participation of the Bahá'í in the Yukon Indian Advancement Association that many of the early Native people became Bahá'ís. [ibid p92]

In the message to the National Conventions dated 17 April 1954 Shoghi Effendi announced that "Israel Branches of the British, the Persian, the Canadian and the Australian Baha'i National Spiritual Assemblies have been legally established, recognized formally as Religious Societies by the Israeli Civil Authorities, and empowered to hold without restriction title to immovable property in any part of the country on behal'f of their parent assemblies." [Bahá'í Canada Special Insert June 1954]

On 4 December 1954, Leroy Ioas wrote "The beloved Guardian has directed me to write you... that the Israel Branch of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada was to be established, and land on Mount Carmel registered in your name..." [MtC213-214]

"The land on Mount Carmel which the Guardian had instructed to be registered in the name of the Israel Branch of the Canadian Assembly was transferred to the title of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada, Israel Branch, on October 1, 1954". Quoted from a letter from Leroy Ioas. [CBN No 61 February, 1955 p1]

The title deed for "Parcel No. 304, Block 10811, Mount Carmel, Haifa." was sent to the National Assembly. [MtC213-214]

Other pioneers to Yellowknife were Ted Blencowe (1954 September) and later his wife, Helen, and Don and Midge Ulery, as well as Arthur and Lily Anne Irwin. [CBN No57 Oct 1954 p1; CBN No 207 Apr 1967 p8]

Because she was not able to find employment she departed on the 22nd of December and was replaced by Kay Zinky in February 1954. She was an American from Colorado Spring, Colorado, whose husband, a non-Bahá'í, supported her during her stay of one year, until February 1954. Margaret and Larry Rowdon with their daughter Ayn arrived in the summer of 1954. They stayed until 1969. During this time the rest of their children, Leslie, Ruth, Devin, Karen and Bret were born. [CBN No 49 Feb 1954 p2; CBN No 54Jul 1954 p2] [CBN Vol 18 No 1 May 2005 p24-26; HB25; BW13:453; KoB278-280]

The first person to declare on the Magdalens was Carole Bates, originally from Nova Scotia. [HB116]

The objectives of Canada's Plan were:

1. Opening following virgin territories eleven North America: Anticosti Island, Baranof Island, Cape Breton Island, Franklin, Grand Manan Island, Keewatin, Labrador, Magdalen Islands, Miquelon Island and St. Pierre Island, Queen Charlotte Islands, Yukon;
   Opening two Asias Marquesas Islands, Samoa Islands.
2. Consolidation faith Iceland, Greenland, Mackenzie, Newfoundland.
3. Purchase land Toronto anticipation construction first Haziratu'l-Quds Canada.
4. Establishment national Bahá'í endowments.
5. Doubling number local spiritual assemblies.
6. Raising number incorporated spiritual assemblies nineteen.
7. Formation Israel branch Canadian National Spiritual Assembly.
8. Establishment American Asian teaching committees entrusted task stimulate coordinate teaching activities initiated plan.

"Appeal members entire community worthy allies chief executors Abdu'l-Bahá's divine plan dedicate themselves immediate requirements steadily unfolding mission discharge nobly sacred strenuous tasks ahead contribute memorable share prosecution decade long world spiritual crusade pay befitting tribute through future accomplishments memory founder faith occasion most great jubilee commemorating centenary declaration his mission city Baghdad."
(signed) Shoghi

The National Spiritual Assembly announced that the Hazira Committee would continue its search for a suitable building not exceeding $50,000, [CBN No 31 July 1952 p6]

See Speechless 4 December 2009 for a chronological biography as well as a bibliography / webliogrphy of other works on him.

See NUVO for a photo of his eviction from the New York Daily News archive and a short biography.

See as well BFA1p90-93; OBCC18-21, 25-26.

For a list of functioning local spiritual assemblies see CBN No 22 October 1951 p8.

Should in Greenland the fire of the love of God be ignited, all the ices of that continent will be melted and its frigid climate will be changed into a temperate climate-that is, if the hearts will obtain the heat of the love of God, that country and continent will become a divine garden and a lordly orchard, and the souls, like unto the fruitful trees, will obtain the utmost freshness and delicacy. Magnanimity is necessary, heavenly exertion is called for.

Verily, know, that the letter of 'Abdu'l-Bahá is a hidden mystery and concealed fact; no one is informed of its greatness and importance at these times. But in the course of time and future centuries, the signs thereof will be made manifest, the lights thereof will dawn. The fragrance thereof will be diffused and the greatness, the importance thereof will be known. The truth I say unto thee, that each leaflet from 'Abdu'l-Bahá will be a widespread Book; nay, rather a glistening Gem on the Glorious Crown. Know thou Its value and hold great Its station. [CBN No 19 April 1951 p9]

O God! We pray that from now on, Thou, the Beloved
will bestow upon Shoghi Effendi all the strength and
vigor that will enable him to pursue over a long unbroken
period of strenuous labor, the supreme task of achieving,
in collaboration with the friends in every land, the
speedy triumph of the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh.

This was adapted from his letter dated the 14th of November 1923

I cherish the hope that, from now on, the Beloved may bestow upon me all the strength and vigor that will enable me to pursue over a long and unbroken period of strenuous labor the supreme task of achieving, in collaboration with the friends in every land, the speedy triumph of the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh. This is the prayer I earnestly request all my fellow-brethren and sisters in the Faith to offer on my behalf.

He also had a prayer for the believers:

"Let us pray to God that in these days of world-encircling gloom, when the dark forces of nature, of hate, rebellion, anarchy and reaction are threatening the very stability of human society, when the most precious fruits of civilization are undergoing severe and unparalleled tests, we may all realize, more profoundly than ever, that though but a mere handful amidst the seething masses of the world, we are in this day the chosen instruments of God's grace, that our mission is most urgent and vital to the fate of humanity, and, fortified by these sentiments, arise to achieve God's holy purpose for mankind."