Agriculture and Forestry subseries contains seventeen files regarding the planning and teaching of a new course at the University of Alberta, AGFOR 300 & 400. This course, called "Man and Resources," was co-taught with WE Harris and several other lectures. Harris’ lecture topics focused on energy, the use of resources and population. Materials date from ca. 1970-1979 with course planning materials dating from as far back as 1961. Document types include notes, index cards, lecture outlines, correspondence, course content, course reviews, student essays, test questions, assignments, articles and research on energy and resources. As well there are two u-matic video tapes, and an audiotape of lectures. Significant material covered planning materials for the class, Harris lecture “Three Critical Resources” as well as course materials such as assignments, tests, essays and lectures.
The Bridge subseries is composed of five files regarding Harris’ serious hobby in the card game of bridge. The subseries was compiled ca 1990 to 2011 and the arrangement is based upon the original order in which the donor presented the items. WE Harris competed in many bridge competitions. He also taught and wrote about bridge lessons for beginners, typically with HB (Brian) Dunford. The document types include advertisements, correspondence, notes, and books. Specific topics include the books: “Bridge: Direct, Simple & Winning” and “Bridge”, as well as, supporting notes.
Contains book reviews written under a pseudonym.
Contains addresses, talks, and lectures on topics such as politics, religion, science, euthanasia, etc.
The Addendum – Board Members subseries contains 6 files discussing the activities of board members. Files are arranged by Board member. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, notes, press releases, newspaper clippings, newsletters, and contact information. The specific topics this subseries covers are details on the work conducted by Human Rights Institute of Canada Board Members and their support for the Human Rights Institute of Canada.
The Lawyers and Courts subseries contains six files discussing the legal field and the work of lawyers and courts more broadly. Files are arranged by subject. This subseries includes a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, newspaper clippings, law society hearing panel decisions, briefs, bulletins, magazines, newsletters, handbooks, pamphlets, press releases, reports, and documents from the Supreme Court of Canada. Specific topics in this subseries are profession conduct for lawyers including the first lawyer to be held in contempt of court; specific cases of disbarment and professional misconduct; issues faced by the deaf and women in the legal system; discrimination faced by women working in the legal system; and legal fees being too high for average or middle class people to afford.
The Meeting the First Peoples of Canada – Natives/ Indians subseries contains 22 files discussing land claims and treaties, self-government of aboriginal peoples, and status rights of aboriginal women. Files are arranged by subject and general correspondence is arranged chronologically. This subseries contains a variety of document types including conference documents, newspaper clippings, correspondence, memorandum, resumes, newsletters, press releases, background papers, government booklets, legislation, court documents, transcripts, presentations, statistics, and House of Commons debates. The specific topics this subseries covers are discrimination in the Indian Act, media representation of aboriginal issues, the Saskatchewan Native Woman’s Conference, rights of aboriginal women, Cree rights in Quebec, Assembly of Aboriginal Peoples of Saskatchewan, self-government for aboriginal bands, land claims and treaties, adoption of aboriginal children, voting rights, historical perspectives on aboriginals in north America, and discrimination against aboriginal peoples.
The Women & Misc. – Newspaper Articles subseries contains 6 files of miscellaneous newspaper clippings on social issues. Files are arranged by topic. This subseries contains newspaper clippings. The specific topics this subseries covers are women’s achievements, the Human Rights Commission, the RCMP and police, refugees, capital punishment in Canada, the Quebec separation referendums, and Quebec language laws.
The Missing Women – The Truth About Women’s Appointments to the Senate – Persons Case II – Chronological Record subseries contains 27 files discussing the appoint of women to the Senate during the Mulroney and Chretien governments, gender disparities in the Senate, and Persons Case II. Files are arranged chronologically. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, press releases, newspaper clippings, open letters, background information, biographies, resolutions, speeches, transcripts, and Senate debates. The specific topics this subseries covers are Senate reform, women appointed as Senators, calls for equal appointment through Persons Case II, United Nations convention on the Political Rights of Women, the 1982 constitution requiring equal opportunity regardless of gender, status rights of aboriginal women, the death of aboriginal woman’s activist Mary Two-Axe Earley, Marguerite Ritchie being awarded the Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case, the Persons Case, the Famous Five, women being allowed to sit on juries for criminal cases, and penalties for stalking.
The Major Supporters in the Human Rights Institute of Canada subseries contains 58 files discussing Hilda L. Cryderman’s support of the Human Rights Institute of Canada. Files are arranged by topic and type. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, newsletters, questionnaires, seminar documents, House of Commons debates, newspaper clippings, press releases, transcripts, resumes, donation receipts, resolutions, biographies, and programs. The specific topics this subseries covers are opinions on the women’s liberation movement, suffrage, equal pay, women in politics, and support from Hilda L. Cryderman, Chair of the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, for the Human Rights Institute of Canada.
The Letters by Individuals Seeking Help subseries contains 9 files of communications with individuals who read about the Human Rights Institute of Canada in the newspaper and reached out for help. Files are arranged by topic. This subseries contains a correspondence from individuals asking for help and support from the Human Rights Institute of Canada, as well as some responses and supporting documents included in correspondence, such as newspaper clippings, court documents, affidavits, job descriptions, and descriptions of events. The specific topics this subseries covers are property law, family law, immigration, children’s rights, employment, adoption, employment, gender discrimination, unions, abortion, harassment, and education. Access to this subseries is pending archivists’ approval due to privacy concerns.
The Government of Canada - Parliament subseries contains 5 files of select debates from the House of Commons. Files are arranged chronologically. This subseries contains House of Commons debates and legislation. The specific topics this subseries covers are amending the Indian Act, aboriginal rights, multiculturalism, equality for women, unemployment, the Youth Offenders Act, criminal code amendments, sexual assault, language acts and bilingualism, Senate reform, and discrimination.
The Government of Canada – Requests for Information subseries contains 11 files of Access to Information requests made by the Human Rights Institute of Canada to Library and Archives Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada Library, and various government departments. Files are arranged chronologically. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, memorandum, and newspaper clippings. The specific topics this subseries covers are confirming publication information for newspaper clippings, budgets and funding allocation, outcomes of court cases, and making inquiries to the Prime Minister and Privy Council about the Meech Lake Accord and the Official Languages Act.
The Constitution of Canada – Constitution and the Law – Justice Department subseries contains 8 files discussing the role and function of the Department of Justice on legislation. Files are arranged by type and chronology. This subseries contains a variety of document types including correspondence, newspaper clippings, memorandum, working documents, background information, biographies, lists, and court documents. The specific topics this subseries covers are the role, history, and function of the Department of Justice, requests for a reference for Persons Case II, the Department of Justice's National Symposium on Woman, Supreme Court of Canada cases on social issues including hate speech, Commissioner and Associate Deputy Minister of Justice Mary Dawson drafting the constitution, and the Department of Justice’s role in drafting legislation.
The Women – Research subseries contains 7 files of publications from government departments and unions on women’s rights. Files are arranged by material type. This subseries contains a variety of document types including government publications, House of Commons debates, union publications, minutes of Proceedings and Evidence of the Sub-Committee on Equality Rights of the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, The Facts magazine, and government reports. The specific topics this subseries covers are affirmative action, equality in public service, gender based analysis, health and welfare, gender based violence, and sexual assault.