Bahá'í Chronology Canada: 197

date	event	locations	tags	firsts
1970's?	Bijan Asdaghi was one of the first Persian Baha’is to immigrate to Canada prior to the Iranian revolution. [Edmonton Bahá'í History] [key]		Bijan Asdaghi; Immigration, Iranian
1970 (In the year)	The passing of Florence Evaline (Lorol) Schopflocher in Montreal (b.1886) Wife of Hand of the Cause of God Siegfried Schopflocher. For his "In Memoriam" see BW7p664. She circled the globe nine times on travel teaching tours and visited some 86 countries, many of them multiple times. She travelled to Iran twice visiting parts not previously visited by Western Bahá'ís. She visited the Guardian 11 times. She had several audiences with King Feisal in Iraq and discussed the question of the House of Bahá'u'lláh in Baghdád with him. Favourite themes for her public talks were the World Order letters of Shoghi Effendi and the emancipation and education of women. She was interred in the Mount Royal Cemetery in Montreal. A radiant star went from the West to the East. [BW15p488-489] Find a grave See Bahá'í Chronicles.	Montreal, QC	Lorol Schopflocher; Siegfried Schopflocher; Births and deaths; In Memoriam; House of Bahaullah (Baghdad)
1972 Jan	Jalál was founded by three members of the Mozart Group, Larry Brown, Rodney Konopaki, and Garry Brown, and then joined by keyboardist Jack Lenz in July of the same year. After having toured across Canada for nine months and the group eventually settled in Toronto. [Facebook posting THE SPARK: 1967 - 1973 9 FEBRUARY 2020]	Saskatoon, SK; Toronto, ON	Jalal; Mozart Group; Larry Brown; Rodney Konopaki; Garry Brown; Jack Lenz
1970 12 Jan	An animated presentation entitled "The Community of Baha'u'llah" made its initial presentation at the Art Centre in Ottawa. They had just come from their trial run in St. Lambert, Quebec and had a plan to visit Oshawa, Hamilton, Guelph, North Bay, Fort William (Thunder Bay), Winnipeg, Brandon, Regina, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Kelowna, Vancouver, Nanaimo and Victoria before doing their final presentation in Toronto just before the National Convention. The hosts for the presentation were: Al Houdek, Gerry Bourassa; Leslie Houdek, Sandra Kostaschuk, Garry Berteig; Larry Brown, and Valerie Berteig with Dick Stanton as the Tour Manager. Travelling exhibit was intended as a vehicle to introduce the Message of Baha'u'llah. They utilized film, sound and slides, as well as traditional art forms. The plan was to have the local communities integrate interested person into the community after the team had made the initial contact. The eight member team made the three month trip in two vehicles, an Econoline van and a station wagon. [CBN No 236 January-February 1970 BE 126 p1] The tour continued into the Maritimes for several more months with some changes in the team to include Gale Bundy, Fred Ward, and Bob Kingdon. The tour ended at Rochdale College in Toronto. [email exchange with Garry Berteig 4 January 2020] iiiii	St Lambert, QC; Ottawa, ON; Oshawa, ON; Hamilton, ON; Guelph, ON; North Bay, ON; Fort William, ON; Thunder Bay, ON; Winnipeg, MB; Brandon, MB; Regina, SK; Saskatoon, SK; Edmonton, AB; Lethbridge, AB; Kelowna, BC; Vancouver, BC; Nanaimo, BC; Victoria, BC; Toronto, ON	Proclamation; The Community of Bahaullah; Al Houdek; Gerry Bourrassa; Leslie Houdek; Sandra Kostaschuk; Gary Berteig; Garry Brown; Valerie Berteig; Dick Stanton; Fred Ward; Gale Bundy; Bob Kingdon
1970 1 Apr	The Local Spiritual Assembly of Nepean Township achieved incorporation status. Members of the Assembly were: Lily Ann Irwin, Danielle Vafai, Wayne Irwin, Elizabeth Kerr-Wilson, James Atack, Johnny Jolly, Arthur Irwin, John Kerr-Wilson, and Monir Vafai. [CBN Dec 1970 p2] [key]	Nepean, ON	Local Spiritual Assembly, Incorporation; Lily Ann Irwin; Danielle Vafai; Wayne Irwin; Elizabeth Kerr-Wilson; James Atack; Johnny Jolly; Arthur Irwin; John Kerr-Wilson; Monir Vafai.
1970 Ridván	The formation of the first Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Hull. In announcing the formation, Mr M. E. Muttart, General Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly stated: "We feel that it is of particular interest because the majority of the members are French speaking. Following 'Abdu'l-Bahá's exhortation to teach the French-speaking people of Canada our great hope has been to arrive at a more equitable representation from the two main language groups of this country." The members were: Marjorie Merrick, Paul Hanbury, Winnifred Harvey, Lucille Leboeuf, Daniel Caillaud, Danielle Coinon, Paule Médori, Michel Larin and Janet Braithwaite. [CBN Issue 242? July 1970 p 9; [from an email 4 November 2022 from National Archivist Ailsa Hedly Leftwich] [key]	Hull, QC	Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Marjorie Merrick; Paul Hanbury; Winnifred Harvey; Lucille Leboeuf; Daniel Caillaud; Danielle Coinon; Paule Medori; Michel Larin; Janet Braithwaite; Outaouais Cluster	first Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Hull
1970 30 Apr - 3 May	The National Convention was held in Glendon College at York University in Toronto. Those elected to the National Spiritual Assembly were: Glen Eyford, Rowland Estall, Don Glen, Tom Anaquod, Michael Rochester, Husayn Banani, Angus Cowan, Douglas Martin, and Ed Muttart. [UC175] [key]	Toronto,ON	National Convention; National Spiritual Assembly, election of; Glen Eyford; Rowland Estall; Don Glen; Tom Anaquod; Michael Rochester; Husayn Banani; Angus Cowan; Douglas Martin; Ed Muttart
1970 (Early Oct)	Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga arrived in Halifax. The next day he gave an address at the Cherry Brook High School. [CBN244Nov1970p1] [key]	Halifax, NS	Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga
1970 Oct	After a stopover in Toronto Mr. Olinga visited the community of St. James-Assiniboia. [CBN244Nov1970p1] [key]	Toronto, ON; St. James-Assiniboia, MB	Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga
1970 9-10 Oct	Mr. Olinga was warmly received by about 200 people, mostly drawn from surrounding Reserves, in Fort Qu'Appelle. The next day he took part in a Feast for the Dead then the passing of the pipe and was presented with a beaded necklace by Dorothy Francis. [CBN244Nov1970p1] [key]	Fort QuAppelle, SK	Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga; QuAppelle
1970 11 Oct	Mr. Olinga attended the Alberta Regional Convention at Red Deer. He spoke of the essential spiritual nature of the Native people and how they will become strong teachers if visited on the reserves regularly to increase their knowledge of the Faith. [CBN244Nov1970p1-2] [key]	Red Deer, AB	Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga; Regional Convention
1970 Oct	Mr. Olinga visited the Blood Reserve near Cardston, AB. Six persons declared their Faith from the Reserve alone. [CBN244Nov1970p2] [key]	Blood Reserve, AB	Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga
1970 Oct	Mr. Olinga visited the Gleichen Reserve and attended a meeting in a private home.	Gleichen Reserve, AB	Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga
1970 17 Oct	The Hand of the Cause of God was greeted at the Whitehorse airport by 60 Bahá'ís. Later that evening there was a meeting in the Masonic Hall. [CBN244Nov1970p2] [key]	Whitehorse, YT	Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga
1970 18 Oct	Mr. Olingo gave an address at the Whitehorse Flats Indian Village and another in the Elk's Hall in the evening. [CBN244Nov1970p2] [key]	Whitehorse Flats Indian Village, YT	Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga
1970 19 Oct	Mr. Olinga departed Whitehorse for Alaska. [CBN244Nov1970p2] [key]	Whitehorse, YT	Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga
1970 Dec	One of the goals of the Canadian Bahá'í Community was to prepare its "daughter" community, Iceland, to achieve National Assembly status by Ridván 1972 with incorporation by 1973. To facilitate these goals the National Spiritual Assembly assigned Douglas and Elizabeth Martin to the project with Elizabeth as the principal executive. The opening phase of proclamation was launched at a Victory Conference which resulted in the enrollment of thirty people in January, 1971 thus doubling the numbers in Iceland. In addition six Icelandic believers, three of them youth, were invited to attend the Canadian National Convention in Halifax at Ridván. They were: Gudmundur Bardarson, Anna Maggy Palsdottir, Baldur B. Bragason, Margret Bardardottir, Svana Einarsdottir, and Janina Njalsdottir. [BN485 6 August, 1971 pg 6] The Icelandic community organized a team to undertake a summer teaching project in the Faroes Islands in cooperation with the UK Bahá'ís. [BW15335-336] Three additional local assemblies were formed in Iceland in August 1971 and they were in Keflavik, Hafnarfjordur and Kopavogur. [HNWE26] [key]	Reykjavik, Iceland	Conference; Victory Conference; Elizabeth Martin; Douglas Martin; Gudmundur Bardarson; Anna Maggy Palsdottir; Baldur B. Bragason; Margret Bardardottir; Svana Einarsdottir; Janina Njalsdottir
1971 9 Jan	The passing of Albert (Bert) Rakowsky. [CBN No 247 February 1971] [key]		In Memoriam; Bert Radowsky; Albert Rakowsky
1971 11 Feb	Montreal Municipality issued a permit recognizing the Maxwell home as a Bahá'í Shrine after nine years of negotiations and delays. With this struggle came a hidden blessing. For years the Shrine had been used as a Bahá'í Centre by the Montreal community, open also to friends of the area as a place to hold public meetings, open Feasts, and certain activities not always suited to it as a Shrine. The realization was made that it was a National Bahá'í Shrine and as such should not be used as a centre. [CBNApril1971p10] [key]	Montreal, QC	Montreal Shrine; legal recognition
1971 Ridván	The election of the first spiritual assembly in Prince Rupert, BC. Elected were: Fletcher Bennett, Robert Lee, Lynn Whitehouse, Elinor Bennett, Joan Kauth, Justine Stenset, Elsie Dryer and Irene Harris. [CBN257April1972p12] 92 year old Irene Harris liked to be called "Grandma" because she is" a grandmother to all people, Chinese, Japanese, white people, to everyone". She was the first believer from the Kitwancool Nation. [CBN253Aug-Sep1971p6]	Prince Rupert, BC; Kitwancool Nation, BC	Local Spiritual Assembly, election; Fletcher Bennett; Robert Lee; Lynn Whitehouse; Elinor Bennett; Joan Kauth; Justine Stenset; Elsie Dryer; Irene Harris; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation	Irene
1972 (Summer)	The last usage of the property known as "Beaulac" that was used as both a summer school and a winter school. The property had been expropriated to build a divided highway. See Memories of Beaulac by Priscilla Waugh for a brief history. A list of those who gave courses at Beaulac included: Mehdi Firoozi, Margery McCormick, Stanwood Cobb, Curtis Kelsey, Genevieve Coy, Fred Graham, Alan Raynor, Marion Findlay, Rowland Estall, Peggy Ros, Audrey Westheuser, Katherine McLaughlin, Matthew Bullock, Jamie Bond, Nancy Campbell, Winston Evans, Betty Frost, Winnifred Harvey, Lily Ann Irwin, Arthur Irwin, Ron Jacobs, Ethel Martens, Doug Martin, Elizabeth Rochester, Michael Rochester, Jeannie Seddon, to name a few. Very distinguished visitors were: Hands of the Cause A. Furutan, John Robarts and William Sears.	Beaulac, QC	Beaulac; Priscilla Waugh
1973 09 Feb	Jalál performed with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra (73 musicians) at the Centennial Auditorium. The band had been commissioned in late 1972 to write an orchestrated work to perform with the symphony orchestra conducted by Dwaine Nelson. Their work was in two parts; the first was called ‘Prologue’, and the second ‘Love is the Mystery of Divine Revelation’. Prior to the performance they had two rehearsals with the Symphony. They were greeted by a packed house of more than 2,000 persons. The group opened with a pop song from the Turtles called Elenore, backed by the symphony string section. Also included in the performance were a number of other original tunes which Jalál played without orchestra. In additon, Larry Brown performed a 15 minute solo classical guitar piece; Chaconne by J.S. Bach, transcribed by Segovia for classical guitar. It was the first time he had played classical guitar in public. After the intermission Jalál and the orchestra came back together to perform Prologue, and Love is the Mystery of Divine Revelation. At the conclusion of the formal concert in the auditorium, the audience was invited to the cabaret room on the lower level to “rock out” with Jalál and a number of musician-friends. [Facebook post THE SPARK: 1967 - 1973 9 FEBRUARY 2020] [key]	Saskatoon, SK	Jalal; Dwaine Nelson
1973	Number of Local Spiritual Assemblies in Canada: 200 Incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies: 65 Localities where Bahá'í reside: 950 Members: 7,500 [from a pamphlet, The Bahá'í Faith and its World Community published by the NSA of Canada] [key]	Canada	Statistics
1973 22 May	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] [key]	Tyendinaga First Nation, ON; Hiawatha, ON	In Memoriam; Jim Loft; Roger While
1974 1 Feb	The passing of Daoud Toeg (b. Baghdad, Iraq in 1897) in Hull, Quebec (now Gatineau). After he had learned of the Faith he enrolled eight other persons before writing the Guardian with his own declaration. He pioneered to Italy in the 1930s for about a year and a half. In 1954 he was appointed Auxiliary Board Member for Iraq, on the first Auxiliary Board for Asia. He served for sixteen years. He supervised the construction of the Hazíratu'l-Quds in Baghdad and was helpful in securing a Temple site. Mr. Toeg served the Guardian by conveying artifacts and Huqúqu'lláh payments from Persia to the Holy Land at a time when there was no direct communications. He served as a representative of the Huqúqu'lláh for the believers in Iraq. He was instrumental in locating and photographing the caves of Sar-Galú in Sulaymáníyyih, Kurdistán where Bahá'u'lláh lived for two years while in retreat. He, his wife Latifa, and their sons pioneered to Kirkuk during the Ten Year Crusade but after seven years were asked to return to Baghdad to assist with the work there. The family left Iraq in 1970 and settled in Hull where they helped to establish the first Local Spiritual Assembly. [BW16p527-528, Bahá'í World 16, Grave; CBN No 277 March 1974 p11] [key]	Hull, QC; Baghdad; Sulaymaniyyih; Kurdistan	Daoud Toeg; In Memoriam; Auxiliary Board Members
1974 Ridván	The formation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Aylmer, QC. The inaugural members were: Rick and Margo Blake, Linda O'Neil and John Dickie, Belinda and David Erickson, Jane Ginsberg, Pyer Vaillancours, and Michael McKenny. [from an email from David Erickson dated 28 and 29 May 2022; [from an email 4 November 2022 from National Archivist Ailsa Hedly Leftwich] iiiii	Aylmer, QC; Gatineau, QC	Local Spiritual Assembly, formation of; Rick Blake; Margo Blake; Linda ONeil; John Dickie; Belinda Erickson; David Erickson; Jane Ginsberg; Pyer Vaillancours; Michael McKenny; Outaouais Cluster	First Spiritual Assembly in Aylmer, QC
1975 (In the year)	Association for Bahá’í Studies was founded in Canada, in 1975, to promote the systematic study of the Bahá’í Faith and its application to the needs of humanity. “...cultivate opportunities for formal presentations, courses and lectureships on the Bahá'í Faith in Canadian universities and other institutions of higher learning.” (Canada and the Five Year Plan, p. 14) Soon afterward, the Association expanded to serve the United States and Canada. Since that time, a network of affiliated Associations has emerged in other regions around the world. The Association operates a Centre for Bahá’í Studies, located in Ottawa, Canada, which coordinates the activities of the Association in North America. The Centre also serves as a site for research, information, and various forms of assistance and support for Bahá’í studies. [ABS; BW16:200] For its history; terms of reference and programmes and publications see BW17:197–201.	Ottawa, ON	Bahai Studies, Associations for
1975 (In the year)	Elizabeth Martin, with the help of Chris Lyons produced film entitled Invitation. It was a memoir of Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum incorporating footage from Khánum's Andean trip along with memories of her childhood years in Montreal. [HNWE36] [key]	Toronto, ON	film; Invitation; Elizabeth Martin; Chris Lyons; Amatul-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum
1957 Jul	Hand of the Cause Dhikru'llah Khádem met with the National Spiritual Assembly. He had come from Central America and was visiting in the United States and Canada before returning to Haifa. He, his wife, and their daughter spent ten days in Canada and visited the friends in Hamilton, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and London. [UC68] [key]	Hamilton, ON; Toronto, ON; Montreal, QC; Ottawa, ON; London, ON	Hand of the Cause Dhikrullah Khadem
1975 4 - 8 Jul	The Ridván Message contained the phrase, "EVIDENCES GATHERING CLOUDS WIDESPREAD OPPOSITION" and the Universal House of Justice called together all the 'high ranking officers' and 'senior administrative bodies' of the Faith in North America for special consultation on the future protection of the Cause" to be held in Wilmette. It was attended by the three Hands of the Cause for North America, Mr Sears, Mr Robarts and Mr Zikrullah Khadem; the four members of the Board of Counsellors, Velma Sherrill, Lloyd Gardner, Sarah Periera, and Edna True; all the members of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Alaska, Canada and the United States as well as representative of the National Assembly of Hawaii; all of the Auxiliary Board Members in North America and special guest, Counsellor 'Azíz Yazdí of the International Teaching Centre. Although the primary reason for gathering was to discuss the issue of the protection of the Faith there were opportunities for members of the three National Spiritual Assemblies and the Auxiliary Boards to share teaching ideas and to hear of the goals achieved in other areas. [BN Vol 52 No 8 August, 1975 p13-14, CBN Issue 287 Aug/Sept 1975 p1-4] [key]	Wilmette, IL	Conferences; Hands of the Cause; Protection; Continental Board of Counsellors; Auxiliary Board Members	first continental conference in North America
1975 21 Jul	The passing of Fred Graham (b. 26 August, 1913 Rose Valley, PE) at his cottage, KirKonKotta, near Kincardine. He was buried in the small cemetery in Tiverton near a grove of six pine trees. His funeral, chaired by Counsellor Lloyd Gardner, was held in Kincardine. Although remote from any large centre of population it was attended by about two hundred and seventy-five mourners. [BW16p558; CBN Issue 287 August/September 1975 p12-13; UC203-212] A biography was published in 2013 by Dale Sims entitled An Uncommon Canadian: The Story of Fred Graham.	Rose Valley, PE; Kincardine, ON	Fred Graham; In Memoriam
1975 c. Aug	Auxiliary Board Member Angus Cowan announced the appointment Mrs Stuart Hanks as Assistant for the province of Manitoba, Mr Don Rogers as Assistant for the province of Saskatchewan and Mrs Joyce McGuffie as Assistant for the First Nations communities. Auxiliary Board Member David Smith announced the appointment of Mr Douglas Wilson as Assistant for the territory of Central and Eastern Ontario. [CBN No 287 Aug/Sep 1975] [key]	Canada	Auxiliary Board Members; Assistant, Angus Cowan; David Smith; Stuart Hanks; Don Rogers; Joyce McGuffie; Douglas Wilson
1975 7 Sep	The official opening of the National Centre at 7200 Leslie Street in Thornhill Ontario. [from an invitation to the event] [key]	Toronto, ON	National Haziratul-Quds
1975 22 Sep	The formation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Gatineau, QC. The founding members were: Pierre Dagenais (Chairman), Jack McLean (Vice Chairman), Helen Michelin (Secretary), Richard Gordon (Treasurer), Brigitte McLean, Renée Dagenais, Nahid Gordon, Tony Panalaks, and Kamal Toeg. [from an email from archives@bahai.ca to Jack McLean (A121577) 11 July 2022] iiiii	Gatineau, QC	Local Spiritual Assembly, formation of; Outaouais Cluster; Jack McLean; Helen Michelin; Pierre Dagenais; Richard D. Gordon; Brigitte McLean; Tony Panalaks; Renée Dagenais; Nahid Gordon; Kamal Toeg; Outaouais Cluster	the formation of the first Spiritual Assembly of Gatineau, QC
1976 (In the year)	Elizabeth Martin with Chris Lyons made a film called Retrospective, a memoir of Hand of the Cause John Robarts. It included his reminiscences of the Guardian and of the early days of the Faith in Canada. [HNWE36] [key]	Toronto, ON	film; Retrospective; Elizabeth Martin; Chris Lyons; Hand of the Cause John Robarts
1976 1 - 4 Jan	On the weekend of January 1—4, the newly-formed Canadian Association for Studies on the Bahá'í Faith held its first annual meeting at Cedar Glen, a conference centre 30 miles north of Toronto. The postal strike had made it impossible for the executive committee to provide adequate notification to the members, and this together with the very bad weather, suggested that attendance would be quite small. The committee, therefore, reserved space for only 50 people. No fewer than 80 participants turned up. Moreover, they came from every province in Canada, except Prince Edward Island, and from as far north as the Yukon. Fifteen local Spiritual Assemblies each sent a representative, and of course a number of the members of the Association were present in a dual capacity as representatives either of their own Spiritual Assembly or of a campus club. Seven speakers presented papers in a wide range of academic disciplines. The speakers were: 'Abdu'l Misagh Ghadirian-"August Forel: His Life and Enlightenment". Douglas Martin-"The Bahá'í Faith and Its Critics". Luc Dion, a student of Physics at the Université du Québec in Chicoutimi-"La realité du monde e l'existence de Dieu". He had the distinction of being the first Bahá'í student to present a formal paper and also presented the first paper in French. Hossain Danesh-"Violence and Apathy". William Hatcher-on the relationship between science and religion. Don Rogers-"The Function of Revelation in Artistic Expression". Glen Eyford-"Spiritual Education". A decision was taken to begin the publication of Bahá'í Studies. In addition, the “Ballet Shayda” presented a group of three dances on Saturday evening. [BC Issue 291 February 1976 p6]	Cedar Glen, ON	Abdul-Missagh Ghadirian; Bahai Studies, Associations for; Ballet Shayda; Abdul-Missagh Ghadirian; Douglas Martin; Luc Dion; Hossain Danesh; William Hatcher; Don Rogers; Otto Rogers; Glen Eyford	first annual meeting of Association for Bahai Studies; first student to present a paper at the ABS; first French paper presented at the ABS;
1976 Ridván	The municipalities of Aylmer, Lucerne and Deschenes, QC amalgamated and as a result, the existing Assemblies of Lucerne and Aylmer were united under the new name of the united municipalities-Aylmer. No Assembly had been formed in Deschenes. [email from David Erickson dated 28 May 2022] [key]	Aylmer, QC; Lucerne, QC; Deschenes, QC	Local Spiritual Assembly, formation of; Outaouais Cluster
1976 Oct	Angus Cowan was appointed to the Continental Board of Counsellors where he served until 1986. Angus introduced the Faith to Dorothy Francis who became a Baha’i in 1960.		Angus Cowan; Continental Board of Counselors; Dorothy Francis
1976 6 – 7 Nov	The first Canadian Bahá’í Native Council was held in Tyendinaga, Ontario. [BW17:162] [key]	Tyendinaga First Nation, ON		first Canadian Bahá’í Native Council
1976 31 Dec - 1 Jan	The second annual meeting of the Canadian Association for Studies took place at Cedar Glen, in Bolton, and was attended by some 100 Bahá'ís from all the provinces and a few from the United States. Three original papers this year were presented by Dr. William Hatcher, Mr. Douglas Martin and Dr. John Hatcher. Two students, Heida Lakshman and John Taylor also presented papers. The Ottawa company, based in Ottawa, Le Ballet Shayda presented their original piece entitled Journey. [BC Issue 300 February 1977 p6] [key]	Bolton, ON	Bahai Studies, Associations for; Ballet Shayda; William Hatcher; Douglas Martin; John Hatcher; Heida Lakshman; John Taylor
1977 9 Jul	"The first new Spiritual Assembly since Ridván this year was formed in Hull-Ouest, Québec, on July 9. The National Spiritual Assembly warmly commended them on this victory of “establishing a new pillar of the Cause in so important a region of the country.” The inaugural members were: Denys Laurin, Yves Charbonneau, Pierre Dagenais, Martel L.F. Piché, Jean-Guy Galipeau, Bill Lemmon, Phoebe Anne Lemmon, Robert Chaffers, Kaye Chaffers. [CBN Issue 306 July 1977 p11; from an email 4 November 2022 from National Archivist Ailsa Hedly Leftwich] The assembly area is now known as Chelsea. Chelsea was named after the Vermont town of its first settler, Thomas Brigham, who was a partner and son-in-law of Philemon Wright and arrived there in 1819. The name has been in use since the early 19th century: Old Chelsea (1819), Parish Saint-Stephen-of-Chelsea (1835), Chelsea (circa 1870). In 1875, the municipality was established as Hull-Partie-Ouest, or commonly referred to as West Hull. The municipality was renamed to its current name in 1990. [Wikipedia]	Hull-Ouest; Chelsea	Local Spiritual Assembly, formation of; Hull-Ouest; Hull-West; Chelsea; Outaouais Cluster; Denys Laurin; Yves Charbonneau; Pierre Dagenais; Martel L.F. Piché; Jean-Guy Galipeau; Bill Lemmon; Phoebe Anne Lemmon; Robert Chaffers; Kaye Chaffers	first Spiritual Assembly in what is now called Chelsea, QC
1977 20 Nov	A new directive from the Universal House of Justice regarding assembly formation was announced. The Universal House of Justice has decided that during the last year of the Five Year Plan, i.e. from April 21, 1978 until April 20, 1979 inclusive, Local Spiritual Assemblies being established for the first time, as well as lapsed Assemblies which achieve adequate strength to regain their Assembly status, may be formed at any time during that year. This means that Local Assemblie: formed at Ridvan 1979 will not be counted towards the fulfilment of the goals of the Five Year Plan. [CBN No 314 May 1978 p 4] [key]	BWC	Local Spiritual Assembly, formation
1977 30 Dec - 1 Jan	The third Annual Bahá'í Studies was held at Rosemary Heights, in Surrey, BC. A record 168 registrants attended the 12 formal presentations and many viewed an art display arranged for the Association by local Bahá'í artists. The Annual Meeting is composed of three distinct elements: 1) The membership meeting, during which the executive of CASBF, appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly, reviews the budget and consults with the membership on the aims and direction of the Association. 2) A forum for the formal presentation of original papers and reviews of subjects pertinent to the Faith. Peer review of submitted manuscripts and scheduled discussion of designated papers are intended to maintain a high level of scholarship. 3) The opportunity for Bahá'ís with scholarly interests to meet and informally discuss their own studies and the work of the Association. This year’s meeting was marked by the active participation of Bahá'í youth, many of whom came from the Pacific Youth Conference on Vancouver Island. The National Spiritual Assembly recently assigned CASBF a membership goal of 200 youth, and has consequently encouraged Canadian youth to become involved in its work. The executive also underlined the need for more input from Association members with regard to the possibility of establishing courses on the Faith in specific institutions of higher learning, and in identifying reference materials which contain statements about the Faith. Formal presentation of the following 12 papers. 1) “Health and Healing”, by Dr. Hossain Danesh (presented by Dr. Peter Morgan). 2) “A Review of Maitrya-Amitabha Has Appeared”, by Jane Nishi-Goldstone. 3) “The Rise and Fall of the Russian Bahá'í Community: An Historical Sketch”, by Anthony Lee. 4) “In Search of a New Visual Myth”, by Keith Bloodworth. 5) “The World Centre of the Bahá'í Faith: An Analysis of the Sacred Landscape”, by Ken Goldstone. 6) “Nazorean/Ebionaean Christianity and the Emergence of Historical Theology”, by Christopher Buck. 7) “Zarathustra and the Bahá'í Faith”, by Alan Coupe [Doug Couper]. 8) “Towards a Universal Auxiliary Language”, by Kay Balser. 9) “Erikson and the Worldwide Crisis of Identity”, by Dr. Anne Schoonmaker. 10) “The Legal Personality of Baha’i Assemblies”, by Richard Heiser. 11) “The Dispersion of the Baha’i Faith in North America”, by Michael Vermilyea and Spike Hampson. 12) “Human Rights as God-given Rights”, by William Barnes. [BC Issue No 312 February 1978 p5] . [key]	Surrey, BC	Bahai Studies, Associations for; Hossain Danesh; Peter Morgan; Jane Nishi-Goldstone; Anthony Lee; Keith Bloodworth; Ken Goldstone; Christopher Buck; Alan Coupe; Kay Balser
1978 14 Jan	The establishment of the first local spiritual assembly in Fort McMurray, AB. The members were: Jim McHugh, Ray Baxter, Don Kirby, Farhad Naderi, Lois Naderi, Ann Baxter, Beth Kirby, Vicki Pruden, and Laurie Wright. CBN No 313 Mar/Apr 1978 p5] [key]	Fort McMurray, AB	Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Jim McHugh; Ray Baxter; Don Kirby; Farhad Naderi; Lois Naderi; Ann Baxter; Beth Kirby; Vicki Pruden; Laurie Wright
1978 Apr	Dorothy Francis (b. 22 March 1912) was named to the Order of Canada for her outstanding service to the Aboriginal population of Western Canada. From the Saulteaux tribe she was born on the Waywayseecappo First Nation near Russell, MB and she and her husband became Bahá'ís in 1960 in Calgary. She helped found the first Friendship Centre in Regina and in Winnipeg. The preservation and the enrichment of First Nations culture and tradition led her to spearhead the organization of several First Nations Cultural Clubs. She received her metal of the Order of Canada in Ottawa and was the subject of a 30 minute film during the presentation. [BW17:103; VV29; BW20p990–991] For a picture see BW17:103.	Waywayseecappo First Nation; Calgary, AB	Dorothy Francis; Order of Canada
1978 Ridván	Those elected to the National Spiritual Assembly were: Glen Eyford, Michael Rochester, Hossain Danesh, Husayn Banani, Jameson Bond, Elizabeth Rochester, Douglas Martin, Ruth Eyford, and Ed Muttart. [CBN No 315 June/July 1978 p7] [key]		National Convention; Glen Eyford; Michael Rochester; Hossain Danesh; Husayn Banani; Jameson Bond; Elizabeth Rochester; Douglas Martin; Ruth Eyford; Ed Muttart
1978 Ridván	The formation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Summerland. The members were: Marjorie Pearson, Ilene Ross, Constance Bergstrom, Howard Miners, Marguerite Miners, Mary Cecilia Malins, Bonnie Olson, Gary Arnold, Robert Olson. [CBN No 315 June/July1978 p5] [key]	Summerland, BC	Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Marjorie Pearson; Ilene Ross; Constance Bergstrom; Howard Miners; Marguerite Miners; Mary Cecilia Malins; Bonnie Olson; Gary Arnold; Robert Olson	first spiritual assembly of Summerland, BC
1978 Ridván	The formation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Summerside, PE. The members were: Lana Quinn, Brian Quinn, Vivian O'Neill, Pat O'Neill, Louise Polland, Paul Vreeland, Jane Anthony, Sharon Dyas, Nora Holland. [CBN No 315 June/July 1978 p5] [key]	Summerside, PE	Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Lana Quinn; Brian Quinn; Vivian Main; Pat ONeill; Louise Polland; Paul Vreeland; Jane Anthony; Sharon Dyas; Nora Holland
1978 Ridván	The formation of the first Spiritual Assembly of Merrickville, ON. The founding members were: Linda Smith, Anne Shuster, Barbara Mayo, Sam Morgulis, Michel Seguin, Mary Cooper, Karen Dingwell, Zilda Milne, and James Milne.	Merrickville, ON	Local Spiritual Assembly, formation of; Linda Smith; Anne Shuster; Barbara Mayo; Sam Morgulis; Michel Seguin; Mary Cooper; Karen Dingwell; Zilda Milne; James Milne
1978 Ridván	[CBN No 315 June/July 1978 p5] [key]		Local Spiritual Assembly, formation of
1978 Ridván	A number of Assemblies formed after Ridván: Gordon's Reserve, SK, Ermineskin Reserve, AB, Glendale-Cobequid, NS, Pasqua Reserve, SK, Kimberly, BC, North Battleford, SK, Uxbridge Township, ON As of the 26th of June, 1978, the total number of local spiritual assemblies in Canada were 229. Indications were that the formation of an Assembly in Stratford, ON was imminent. [CBN No 315 June/July 1978 p5] [key]	Gordons Reserve, SK; Ermineskin Reserve, AB; Glendale-Cobequid, NS; Pasqua Reserve, SK; Kimberly, BC; North Battleford, SK; Uxbridge Township, ON; Stratford, ON	Local Spiritual Assembly, formation of; Statistics
1978 Ridván	The 50 minute film Retrospective was made in tribute to Hand of the Cause John Robarts and the occasion of his fortieth anniversary as a member of the Bahá'í community. It was commissioned by the National Spiritual Assembly and made by CINÉ BAHÁ'Í. [CBN No 313 Mar/Apr 1978 p3] [key]	Toronto, ON	film; Retrospective; John Robarts
1979	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] [key]	Tyendinaga First Nation, ON	Local Spiritual Assembly, formation
1979 Ridván	[CBN No 315 June/July 1978 p5] [key]
1979 25 Sep	The passing of Allan Raynor (b. 31 August, 1910 in Toronto) His first acquaintance with Baha'is was in 1934 at a gathering organized by W. J. Christie of Parry Sound in northern Ontario. It was there that he met Lloyd Gardner. He went on pilgrimage in 1956. After the passing of the Guardian he travelled across Canada sharing his experiences with Shoghi Effendi. Mr. Raynor will be remembered for his work in educating the Canadian Bahá'í community in the knowledge of the Covenant. When the assaults on the Covenant came Canadian Bahá'ís were not swayed. His study of Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah was legendary. His personal copy could not be called a "book" but rather it was a loose collection of pages. In 1978-1979 he was appointmented as Assistant to Auxiliary Board Member for Protection, Carol Bowie. So moving and eloquent was he at the hour of his death that Canada's national newspaper printed a major article on his life. A tribute to Allan was made by Roger White in his poem entitled 'In Recognition' which was published in his book, The Witness of Pebbles. The poem was inspired during Allan's 1977 pilgrimage. Another writer, Nathan Rutsein paid homage by including a chapter called 'The Example of Allan Raynor' in his book, Spirit in Action: Teaching the Bahá'í Faith. [BW18p696-698] [key]	Toronto, ON	Allan Raynor; In Memoriam; Assistant
1979 2 Oct	The passing of Thomas Peigan, one of Canada's early native believers. He was known for his devotion and steadfastness. [CBNOct1979] [key]	Peigan Reserve, AB	Thomas Peigan; In Memoriam
1979 28 - 30 Dec	In June of this year the executive office of the Canadian Association for Studies on the Bahá'í Faith moved to Ottawa. After consultation on the message to Canada from the Universal House of Justice which stated to ‘‘... further develop the Canadian Association for Studies on the Bahá'í Faith’’, the executive committee decided to lower membership rates to encourage wider membership. It was also decided to renew memberships each Naw-Ruz. Four regional conferences were held in this, the 4th year of the Association for Bahá'í Studies, in Halifax, Toronto, Saskatoon and Vancouver, all on the same dates. [BC Vol 2 No 3 July/August 1979 p9] [key]	Halifax, NS; Toronto, ON; Saskatoon, SK; Vancouver, BC	Bahai Studies, Associations for

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