Fonds consists of oral history projects completed by Nolan Reilly as the Primary Investigator, or completed by students under his supervision as a Professor of History at the University of Winnipeg.
This series consists of 1 interview with Carlos Sosa, conducted by Emily McPherson in 2021.
This interview was conducted in 2021 by Emily McPherson as part of a practicum at the OHC, undertaken in the context of the Master’s of Human Rights Program at the University of Manitoba. After indexing and processing the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities Oral History Project as part of her practicum work, McPherson identified that a significant omission to the collection was an interview with Carlos Sosa, who due to his role as Project Coordinator, had not himself been interviewed. The interview was intended to be a compliment to the original collection, and followed the original intention: “to better understand ‘the formation and development of the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities and its contribution to the national and international movement to secure legal and social equality for persons with disabilities.’”
Oral history interview (00h 54mm 40ss) with Carlos Sosa conducted remotely by Emily McPherson in Winnipeg, Manitoba, 2021. Interview is indexed and fully transcribed.
Emily McPherson interviews Carlos Sosa about his experience as a participant in disability rights activism and advocacy. The interview begins with Sosa detailing his family history and some childhood memories. He then discusses his early experiences in the school system and the pressure he felt to pursue a trade rather than attend university. He speaks about beginning to participate in activism, involvement in the New Democratic Party, and mentorship by the late Jack Layton. He details some of the activist projects that he has been a part of such as the efforts to save the Kelvin Community Centre, affordable university tuition, and efforts to ensure the operation of public services such as libraries and swimming pools. Sosa describes his current work at the CBC and his own experiences with disability and the stigma surrounding it. He discusses his initial perceptions of the MLPD, his involvement in the organization, as well as his choice to create an oral history project based on that organization. The interview concludes with Sosa connecting the human rights movement to oral history and commenting on the impact of the pandemic on the most vulnerable in society.
Oral history interview (2h 36mm 42ss) with Clarence Gould, conducted by Sarah Story in Winnipeg, Manitoba, 2015. Interview is indexed and fully transcribed.
Sarah Story interviews Clarence Gould of Winnipeg, Manitoba about his career at Cavalier Candy. Gould begins by briefly describing his life story. Gould was hired by Cavalier’s predecessor Bond and Ronald in 1954. Gould discusses in detail the history of the company from its establishment as Bond and Ronald to its change to Cavalier Candy under Charles Fletcher. Gould also discusses in depth the process of making hard candies and jellies, along with Cavalier’s product line. Other interview topics include automation/machinery, employee/management relations, and candy retailing. Gould also provides and describes a variety of documents related to Cavalier’s history.
Oral history interview (1h 26mm 46ss) with Linda Howdle, conducted by Sarah Story in Winnipeg, Manitoba, 2014. Interview is indexed and fully transcribed.
Sarah Story interviews Lynda Howdle of Winnipeg, Manitoba about her time as a packer at Paulin’s from 1979 to 1991. Howdle begins by briefly telling her life story, including growing up in the West End, her marriage and work history before Paulin’s. Throughout the interview Howdle describes the layout of the Paulin’s factory, as well as the day-to-day operations of making and packing candy. Topics of discussion include Paulin’s product range, machinery/automation, employee demographics, and relations between employees and management. Howdle also discusses her personal relationship with snack foods.
Oral history interview (40mm 20ss) with Bunn Cooze, conducted by Janis Thiessen in St. John's, Newfoundland, 2013. Interview is indexed and fully transcribed.
Dr. Janis Thiessen interviews Bunn Cooze of St. John’s, Newfoundland about her work at Purity. Cooze begins with her life story. She began her work at Purity after she graduated from high school and has remained there. Cooze then describes her evolution from biscuit packer to syrup maker. Cooze also discusses the other roles she fills including shipping, bakery and candy making. Throughout the interview, Cooze describes the way the Purity factory operates, including the role of automation, number of employees, the gender ratio of employees, health and safety, and unionization in the workplace. Cooze also provides detailed descriptions of Purity’s product line including new products and discontinuations.
Oral history interview (49mm 48ss) with William Burbine, conducted by Sarah Reilly in Truro Nova Scotia, 2013. Interview is indexed and fully transcribed.
Oral history interview (58mm 06ss) with Roy Robertson, conducted by Janis Thiessen in Truro, Nova Scotia, 2013. Interview is indexed and fully transcribed.
Dr. Janis Thiessen interviews Roy Robertson of Truro, Nova Scotia about his company Robertson’s Candy. Robertson begins with a brief description of his childhood, his previous careers and taking over the company from his father in the 1970s. Over the course of the interview, Robertson discusses the products Robertson’s produces, the methods of production and briefly touches on the employees who work there. Throughout the interview, Robertson emphasizes that Robertson’s is a small scale producer and explains in depth how cost analysis is key to the company’s survival. Robertson also gives insight into the trade show and business relations side of the candy industry.
Oral history interview (1h 21mm 45ss) with Everill Goff, conducted by Janis Thiessen and Sarah Reilly in Truro, Nova Scotia, 2013. Interview is indexed and fully transcribed.
Janis Thiessen and Sarah Reilly interview Everill Goff of Truro, Nova Scotia about his role as a manager for Brookfield Creamery. Goff was raised on a dairy farm, and upon graduation, was recruited by the general manager for an entry level job. Goff then worked his way up in the company to become second in command before his retirement in 1989. Goff describes the tasks associated with his role, including shipping, and receiving. Goff also provides a history of both the Brookfield Company and general trends in the dairy industry between the 1960s and 1980s. Other topics include unionization, workplace health and safety, employee/management relations and Goff’s personal relationship to snack foods.
