The collection contains records pertaining to – and generated by – Ridd’s activities as a social activist, a United Church minister in Manitoba and an academic (first as a student and later as a professor) at United College, Drew University and the University of Winnipeg. The records in this collection illuminate Ridd’s life from the beginning of his post-secondary education (the early 1950s) through to his death (2003). These records take on a number of physical forms, most frequently including newspaper clippings, magazine and journal articles, photocopied excerpts from books, briefs and reports, correspondence, sermons, course lecture outlines and handouts and class notes and assignments.
Relating to Ridd’ activities as an academic, the collection contains records from courses Ridd took as a student of English and Theology in Manitoba in the 1950s, as well as Ridd’s years spent as a doctoral candidate at Drew University. The collection also contains a large number of records originating from or utilized in the numerous Religious Studies courses taught by Ridd as a professor at United College and the University of Winnipeg. Records pertaining to Ridd’s research interests – various 19th and 20th century authors, the history of “western” consciousness and thought, religion and ethics – as well as records pertaining to the purpose and function of a university are found in the collection.
Relating to Ridd’s activities as a United Church adherent and minister, the collection contains records generated by Ridd as a minister at Emerson – Dominion City pastoral charge in Manitoba in the late 1950s and early 1960s as well as at Eastside Terrace Methodist Church in Paterson, New Jersey in the mid-1960s. Ridd’s sermons and the historical development of the United Church’s presence in Emerson – Dominion City charge are particularly prominent. A large number of documents generated by Ridd’s presence on numerous United Church committees (meeting in Winnipeg) throughout his adult life are also present in the collection. These records focus particularly on the relationship of the church to social, cultural and civic issues at the local, national and international level.
Relating to Ridd’s activities as a social justice activist, the collection contains a very large group of records collected or generated by Ridd as he monitored – and attempted to intervene in – various issues. The following areas are most numerously represented in the collection: human rights violations in El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala; American foreign policy and perceived imperialist tendencies (especially in Central America and the Gulf); media critiques and propaganda; the cost of living in Winnipeg (including housing costs and taxation); Canadian federal and provincial government spending and budgets; Canadian social assistance (including the “safety net” of pension, healthcare and Child and Family Services) and unemployment in Canada; the Free Trade Agreement and the North American Free Trade Agreement; energy developments (especially nuclear energy) and the state of the environment; abortion, feminism and homosexuality in Christian perspectives; the Canadian economy and economic injustice; peace and conflict (particularly the Middle East); the Winnipeg Jets and the Thin Ice coalition; education (including teaching liberal arts, the purpose of education and religious education in schools); treatment of First Nations groups in Canada and the role of the Church in civic and social issues.
The majority of the records in this collection were not originated by Ridd. Rather, the collection is comprised largely of documents collected by Ridd. These documents – frequently – have been annotated or interacted with by Ridd and, in many cases, indicate the nature of Ridd’s interests and opinions. Documents in the collection originated by Ridd frequently draw on or make reference to the material contained in his collected records. Thus each series in the collection contains three types of indications of Ridd’s concerns: 1) records collected from various sources by Ridd, 2) Ridd’s annotations or markings on the collected records, and 3) documents originated by Ridd himself.
A stress on interrelationship is also apparent in the collection. Ridd’s work in one area of his life frequently appears to have overlapped with his interests in another area. As a result, identical records sometimes appear at multiple locations within the collection (a magazine article pertaining to a certain social issue could, for example, also be found as an inspiration for a sermon or as a class handout for a university course).

The material in this series is comprised of a wide variety of types of records, especially news media sources. Most of the records included in this series were collected, rather than originated, by Carl Ridd. The series contains records that pertain to conflict, violence and war with a strong focus on Canadian and – especially – American involvement. Prominent topics covered in the series include ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, wars in Vietnam and Yugoslavia, Canadian foreign policy and involvement in international conflicts, Ridd’s anti-war stance (brought on more by the nature of the conflicts than pacifist theology), violence in society, the Cold War and the role of the United States as an imperialist nation or rogue state in international affairs.

The material in this series is comprised of a wide variety of types of records. Many of the records in this series have been collected, rather than originated, by Carl Ridd. The series contains records that pertain to issues arising from both the Canadian federal government and Manitoba provincial government. Prominent topics in the series include changes to healthcare and social services, Canadian foreign policy (especially in a violent world), the state of democracy in Canada (often from a concerned perspective), scandals and decadence amongst politicians, Canada’s New Democratic Party and the nature of Canada’s constitution (especially regarding challenges to Canada’s unity). See also series #3 (“Economic Issues”) and # 9 (“National and Civic Social Justice Issues in Canada”).

The series is comprised of a wide variety of types of records. Most of the records within this sub-series were collected, rather than originated, by Carl Ridd. This sub-series gathers together records covering the Gulf War, the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, the American-led “War on Terror” (especially in Afghanistan) and the war against Iraq.

A wide variety of types of records make up the sub-series, including a large number of records originating from local, national and international news media sources. Many of the records have been collected, rather than originated, by Carl Ridd. The sub-series pulls together records pertaining to ongoing conflict and violence in the State of Israel, as well as conflict and violence on an international level directly or indirectly related to the State of Israel. Prominent topics in the sub-series include hostility between Israelis and Palestinians, anti-Semitism, the history of the Jewish people and foreign policies pertaining to the State of Israel.

The material in this series is comprised of a wide variety of types of records. Many of the records in this series were collected, rather than originated, by Carl Ridd. The series contains records that pertain to economic and financial issues affecting Canadians. Prominent topics in the series include unemployment in Canada, economic crises or turbulence in the Canadian economy, discrepancies between the poor and the wealthy, social security and benefits and United Church inquiries into economic difficulties in Canadian society.

The series is comprised of a wide variety of types of records, including a sizeable number of records originating in direct relation to the Canadian government. Many of the records have been collected, rather than originated, by Carl Ridd. The series contains records that pertain to Ridd’s position as chairman of the Manitoba Energy Council (records primarily from the 1980s), environmental degradation in Canada (particular water) and Ridd’s membership in the Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association (records from 1995 – 2003).

The sub-series is comprised of a wide variety of types of records, including a number of records generated by the government or published to inform the public. Many of the records have been collected, rather than originated, by Carl Ridd. This sub-series gathers together records pertaining to new developments in the field of nuclear energy, the production of nuclear energy, nuclear as a commodity and – predominantly – the question of what to do with nuclear waste. In particular, the question of storing nuclear waste below ground (and the resulting environmental impact) is addressed. The records in this sub-series focus on Canada and Manitoba.

Most of the records in this sub-series have been originated by Carl Ridd, although a large number of supporting records collected by Ridd are also found in the sub-series. The sub-series gathers together records written by Ridd that he appears to have kept near-at-hand for referential use or to duplicate and pass on to others.

The sub-series is comprised of a wide variety of types of records. Many of the records in this folder have been collected, rather than originated, by Carl Ridd. This sub-series gathers together records pertaining to Canada’s entry into the Free Trade Agreement. Specifically, the sub-series depicts a negative view of Free Trade (focussing on concerns and dangers).