- 1949-01-24 —
Jim and Melba Loft and their children, Sam, Arthur and Evelyn returned to Tyendinaga First Nation from Marysville Michigan. [RT43] - 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]
- 1973-05-22 — The passing of Alfred "Jim" Loft (b. 13 July 1908 in Hiawatha, Ontario) on Tyendinaga First Nation [BW16p514-516]
Alfred James Loft (1908-1973) was the
first Canadian Bahá'í of the Mohawk
Nation. His earliest childhood
recollection was of sitting on a fence
near his home (in Oshawa, Ontario)
watching a train crossing the landscape.
A figure clothed in flowing white robes
was on the train, smiling and waving at
him. In confusion and delight Jim toppled
backwards.
When he found the Bahá'í Faith in 1948,
he recognized the figure on the train as
'Abdu'l-Bahá, Who had left Montreal on 9 September 1912 on a train bound for
Toronto where He changed trains for Buffalo, New York. In 1949, in obedience
to the Guardian's wishes, Jim returned with his family to the Mohawks of the
Bay of Quinte (Tyendinaga) to establish the Faith
among his people, remaining there until his death.
[Witness of Pebbles, by Roger White, p24] - 1976-11-06 —
The first Canadian Bahá'í Native Council was held in Tyendinaga, Ontario. [BW17:162]
- 1979-04-21 — The news of the formation of the first Spiritual Assembly of the Tyendinaga brought the Universal House of Justice great happiness, A letter written on behalf of the House of Justice to Evelyn Loft states: 'The steadfastness of your parents in remaining at their post is indeed exemplary and fully demonstrates the spirit of true pioneering." [BW19p699]
- 1985-11-22 — The passing of Melba Whetung Loft 'Kinaaj-Kwe' (b. 24 December 1912 Curve Lake First Nation) at the Curve Lake First Nation near Peterborough. She was the first Canadian First Nations person to accept the Faith in Marysville Michigan in 1938. Melba and her husband Jim were buried side by side on the Tyendinaga First Nation were he was born and grew up.
[BW19p697; BC Vol 8 No 2 April 1986 p17]
- 2011-00-00 —
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