W e l c o m e

Very little serious research has been undertaken so far about the history of Swedes in Canada. One of the reasons is that, unlike some other ethnocultural groups, there is no specific funding for the Swedish-Canadian experience. The Lakehead Social History Institute, recognizing this lack, has taken up the challenge to sponsor the Swedes in Canada project. An experienced Thunder Bay historian, Elinor Berglund Barr, who is an Associate of the Lakehead Social History Institute, has been designated as researcher and writer.

In order to complete this five-year project, the Lakehead Social History Institute is seeking donations from individuals and organizations. The research budget has been set at $25,000, half of the overall project budget of $50,000. Tax receipts will be issued. In the event that the designated researcher/writer is unable to complete the project, the Institute will appoint someone else. Donors are assured that their money will be spent on the Swedes in Canada project, and that the end result will be a written history of Swedes in Canada. Names of donors will be listed in the forthcoming publication unless anonymity is requested, also the names and migration experience of immigrants, under the new program "Honour the Pioneers", which also includes Memorial Gifts. Visit the Donations Page for more information.

The research required to complete this project faces a number of challenges:

• Documents relating to the Swedish experience in Canada are scattered in various archives in Canada, Sweden, and the United States
• Some documents remain in the hands of private individuals and organizations, and will be impossible to find unless the holders are aware of the project and contact the researcher about their existence
• Some ethnocultural communities benefit from the existence of research chairs in Canadian universities or of research institutes dealing with those communities, but not Swedes.
• There is no national Swedish organization in Canada to help pull the project together. Everything from fundraising to research is totally dependent upon individuals who want the project to succeed. Will you be one of them?

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