B) During Activities in a Tour of the Sir Sam Steele Exhibition

2.1 Who was Sam Steele and what were his times like based on the photographic evidence?

Picture	Evidence In the Picture
	
2008.1.2.1.6.1.1 Portrait: Samuel Benfield Steele, ca. 1870 
http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/2/1/6/1/1
	- young looking man  - wearing a uniform  
- short hair  - no facial hair (like a lot of young people) 	
2008.1.1.5.3.1.2 Sam and Marie Steele's wedding portrait, 1890 
http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/1/5/3/1/2
		
2008.1.2.1.6.1.8 Portrait: Samuel Benfield Steele, ca. 1892 (perhaps taken in Winnipeg)
http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/2/1/6/1/8
		
2008.1.1.5.1.1 Superintendent Samuel Steele and Marie Steele in Fort Macleod, 1895 
http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/1/5/1/1
		
2008.1.2.1.6.1.12 Portrait: Samuel Benfield Steele, ca. 1898 Klondike
http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/2/1/6/1/12
		
2008.1.2.1.6.3.1 (Six) Klondykers (with dog) 1898 Yukon Photos
http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/2/1/6/3/1
		
2008.1.2.1.6.3.2 (Four) NWMP Officers, Dawson
Police Career, Yukon Photos, Date:1898 or1899
http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/2/1/6/3/2
		
Picture	Evidence In the Picture	
2008.1.3.2.6.1.1Portrait of Samuel Benfield Steele wearing his Lord Strathcona's Horse uniform in Dawson City, 1899 (prior to leaving for Boer war in South Africa)
http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/3/2/6/1/1
		
2008.1.1.5.1.5 Portrait of Marie Steele with her three children, 1901 (in Montreal while Steele was in South Africa)
http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/1/5/1/5
		
2008.1.2.2.6.1.1 Portrait: Samuel Benfield Steele, ca. 1903 South African Constabulary, 1903
http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/2/2/6/1/1
		
2008.1.1.5.1.4 Colonel Samuel B. Steele and Marie Steele portrait taken in Pretoria, South Africa, 1906 
http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/1/5/1/4
		
2008.1.1.5.1.6 Family photographs, ca. 1916 
(Front: Flora, Gertrude, Back: Sam, Marie, Harwood)
http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/1/5/1/6
		
2008.1.3.3.6.3.1.11 Album: 1st Canadian Command Depot Shorncliffe -  Troop Inspection, 1916 (Major General Sir Sam Steele, Commander of all Canadian Forces in England and Commander, Southeastern District of England)                           
http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/3/3/6/3/1/11
		
2008.1.3.3.6.1.1 Portrait of Samuel Benfield Steele 
Military Career, Command in Canada/Second Canadian Division, 1916 (in London England)
http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/3/3/6/1/1		

Observations
a) What are the qualities of a hero?

b) What does a “hero” look like in our society today?

c) The creators of the Exhibition, “Sir Sam Steele – Journey of a Canadian
        Hero,” suggest that Sam Steele was a hero. 
 
    1. What did a Canadian hero look like between 1870 and 1916 based on 
        this pictorial evidence?

   2.  What qualities did his image project?

   3.  What questions would you like to ask Sam Steele if you could meet
 him?

   4.  What questions would you like to ask the creators of the Sir Sam 
	Steele Exhibition?

2.2  What did people in Sam Steele’s time think of him?  
	Check out the evidence in the primary document assigned to your
 	group and see what people thought of Sam Steele.   
a) What did Sam Steele do that people liked and appreciated?  
b) What qualities did they seem to admire in him?  

Documentary
Evidence	Request to or
Actions by Sam Steele	
Steele’s Qualities	
1. Kootenay Petition
			
2. Lethbridge
Letter
			
3. Policing Building the Railway			
4. Policing Dawson 
City			
5. Yukon Residents’’ Petition			
6. Appointment by Lord Strathcona	

Reflection
c) To what degree did these events add to Steele’s image as a “hero”?

d) What are the criteria for judging a “hero”?

A Hero Today	Qualities of a “Hero”	Sam Steele 1870-1916	

			

			

			

			

			

	

	

	

2.3  To what degree do you trust what you read in these sources?

Question Your Document!

Who wrote this document?  

		
Why did they write the document?  

		
What was their point of view 

		
What was their bias?

		
Who might have had a different view or perspective ?

		

a) Do you find what the writers of the document are believable?

b) What additional sources would you like to find on these events?

List of sources used in the activities detailed above and appearing on the following pages:

1. EC NWMP 7a) 2008.1.2.1.1.7	1887
Kootenay residents’ petition to Major Steele asking for NWMP assistance.

2.  (EC NWMP 7b) 2008.1.2.1.1.6
Letter of regret from Lethbridge residents re: Major Steele’s transfer to Kootenay, B.C.   1887

3. http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/2/1/1/20    
James Ross, supervisor of Construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, 1890. Copy of letter to P.M. John A. Macdonald and letter to Sam Steele.

4. http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/br/2008/1/2/1/1/50/1#page/1/mode/2up
Letter of appreciation from Presbyterian Minister (Andrew Grant) in Dawson, May 26th, 1899.  Transcribed at (EC 4) 2008.1.2.1.1.50.1

5. Petition requesting Steele’s recall order from the Yukon be cancelled - 1899
http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/2/1/1/56/1

6. Letter from Lord Strathcona, re: command of Lord Strathcona’s Horse in the Boer War in South Africa, 1900
http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/3/2/1/1

1.  (EC NWMP 7a) 2008.1.2.1.1.7

Windermere

Sept. 17 1887

Major Steele
	Commanding “D” Division N.W.M.P.
				Kootenay, B.C.

	We the undersigned residents of Windermere, & neighborhood, respectfully request that you send a detachment of your force to winter here. We have an Indian reservation on each side of us, & in the event of any trouble we should be quite helpless.

	Trusting this will meet with your favorable consideration

		We are Sir,

			Yours respectfully

David Bellhouse;
 Geo A Starke; 
T.A. Bacon.;
 Ed Clark; 
H. C. Meigs
F. I. Brady, [P.M.?]; 
B. F. Davis; 
B. [McLean?]

2. (EC NWMP 7b) 2008.1.2.1.1.6
[pg 1]
To Major S.B. Steele,
The Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers and Constables of “D” Division North West Mounted Police, Lethbridge.
Gentlemen;—
	A short time since, when it was rumoured that the Government required your services in British Columbia, the news was received by the people of Lethbridge with profound regret.
	We were in hopes, when you arrived in our midst, that you would long be with us; but, aware of the evanescent nature of the soldier’s life, we feared that your stay could not be for any prolonged period.
	Much as we lament your departure, we assuredly know that in the discharge of duties -which entail hardship, danger or diplomatic skill the Department could not have chosen, from the entire force, men who would more faithfully carry out their commands.
	Brief as our acquaintance has been we sincerely trust that our intimacies are not wholly at an end. We assure you that we will watch your future career with the greatest interest, and although in order of organization the relative numbers letter of position
[pg2]
is the fourth, we are confident that for conduct as becoming soldiers and gentlemen you rank with the first.
	In conclusion, we tender you our best wishes, and trust that the same prosperity which has attended you in the past may follow you as closely in the future.
Signed on behalf of the citizens of Lethbridge:
John D. Higinbotham; H. Bentley; Thomas Curry; George P Player
W. Lougheed; Wm Henderson; J.H. Cavanah; B. Latimer; Thos Botterill;
John. W. Curry; Edward M. Burke; F. B. Roberge; Ch. J. Bourdon
R. C. Carson; G. W. Higinbotham; A. Barber; C F P Conybeare
C. A. Magrath; E T Galt; H I Grussing; Al Danck; ?? ?iles			[pg3]	
Frederic Champness; Rennie B. Barnes; Wm McWhirter; George O. Leask
E. G. Kirby; I. S. Alexander; J. F. Mitchell; Henry S. King; F S Mc????
T. F. Kirkham; John Duff; Chas. W Watkins

3.  http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/2/1/1/20    
James Ross, supervisor of Construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, 1890.  Letter to Sam Steele and copy of letter to P.M. John A. Macdonald.

WINDSOR HOTEL
M O N T R E A L
Nov. 22nd, 1890

Dear Major Steele,

				I had a talk with Sir John and I enclose you a copy of a letter which I have written to him. I hope that I put the case in such a way that it may do you some service. I have not had an opportunity of seeing Mr. Vanhorne yet, but I will make a point of doing so at once. 

With reference to the teams, -I will have to leave the matter to you to do the best you can for me. I would like them to be as well matched as you can get them thoroughly broken and young, and good serviceable horses.

	Yours very truly,				
James Ross

Major Steele,
N.W.T. Mounted Police

C O P Y
WINDSOR HOTEL
M O N T R E A L
Nov. 22nd, 1890

Dear Sir John,

	Major Steele of Fort McLeod, has asked me in view of some changes that are likely to take place in the Police Force in the future, to say what I know of him. I take great pleasure in doing so. As you are aware, he was in charge of the Police during the whole time I was engaged in the construction of the C.P. Railway over the mountains, and as you know we had a very troublesome and dangerous class of men to deal with, and were in many times in perilous positions. I may say that during that time, Major Steele performed his duties in a most satisfactory manner and saved both life and property, by his assuming responsibility that other men would not have taken. I have found him to be an excellent disciplinarian a man who has the confidence of the men under him, and one I am sure that the government could trust in any emergencies that may arise in the West. I am speaking from an experience of over three years, when I had an opportunity of closely watching him. I am sure Mr. Vanhorne and others would bear me out in what I have said.

						Yours very truly,
							(Sgd)  James Ross
Right Hon. Sir John 
	MacDonald, K.C.B.
	O T T A W A	 

4. http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/2/1/1/50/12008.1.2.1.1.50.1
Letter of appreciation from Presbyterian Minister in Dawson, Yukon, May 26th, 1899

(EC 4) 2008.1.2.1.1.50.1
[pg 1]
	Presbyterian Manse
		Dawson May 26/99

Col. Steele, 

	Dear Sir
		I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the stand you have taken in establishing law and order in this territory. 
	You have maintained the dignity of our British institutions here, among a class of American citizens many of them not of the highest grade; which will always reflect credit on your administration and go far to promote the cause of morals and religion here and elsewhere 
[pg 2]

I highly appreciate your action in stopping those Sabbath performances; I fully endorse your action in [bringing?] up Newman [under?] the ??? ??? [act?]; and I am strongly in favour of the introduction of an ordinance making it criminal to allow children on the stage.
	
I hope the ordinance will carry, 

		Yours respectfuy [sic]

			Andrew S Grant 

5. Petition requesting Steele’s recall order from the Yukon be cancelled – 1899     http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/2/1/1/56/1

DAWSON, YUKON TERRITORY, Sept. 19, 1899
TO  THE HON. CLIFFORD SIFTON,
			MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR,
					O T T A W A,     ONT.,

	We, the undersigned residents of the Yukon Territory, have learned with profound regret that it is the intention of the Government to recall Lieut. Col. S. B. Steele, the Commanding Officer of the N.W.M.P. at Dawson and member of the Yukon Council;

	AND WHEREAS, the said Lieut. Col. Steele has proved to the satisfaction of the people of this Territory, both as Commanding Officer of the Police Force and as a member of the Yukon Council, to be a most competent and faithful servant discharging his onerous duties at all times with wisdom and continuous zeal for good to his country;

	AND WHEREAS, Lieut. Col. Steele both in his official capacity and by his private walk in life has won the confidence and respect of all classes of people in the community irrespective of nationality, politics or creed; 

	AND WHEREAS, believing as we do that his removal at this time would prove injurious to the welfare and prosperity of the community;

	We therefore pray that you will be pleased to cancel the order recalling Lieut. Col. S. B. Steele from the Yukon Territory. 
	And you petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray.

[I de Wele]				J.W. Boyle
[P. Philip]				J.T. O’Brian
R.A. Rumsey				[Walderncer Bry]
[Christ Kuppler]				Manager	
A.E. [Epler]		The Felix Klondyke Co. Lim. of London
A. Wheeler				[I Yaney Hanson]
C. [Dacust]				Joe Bush
Charles Gleason				[R.]B. Woodward
6. Letter from Lord Strathcona, re: command of Lord Strathcona’s Horse in the Boer War in South Africa, 1900
http://steele.library.ualberta.ca/units/2008/1/3/2/1/1

CABLE & TELEGRAPH ADDRESS	                17 VICTORIA STREET,
			
“DOMINION, LONDON”	LONDON, S.W.              10th February, 1900.
											
My dear Colonel Steele,
	I am writing a few lines to express my gratification that you have accepted the command of my little force, for I am sure that its control and its work will be safe in your hands.
	No doubt you are at the present time busy with matters of organization and equipment in consultation with the Minister of Militia. I feel sure that, in the interests of the force, and of Canada, every care is being taken to ensure that only the best and most suitable men for the services that are required, will be selected, and that no regard will be paid to purely personal and other considerations. Naturally the same remark will apply to the officers who are being, and may be, nominated for the various positions.
	While I wish the utmost economy to be exercised, compatible with efficiency, I desire that the equipment of the force shall be in every way suitable for its probable work, and the best of its kind; and the Hon. Mr. Borden has assured me that everything purchased will be subject to rigorous inspection. 
	We have purchased here, at the request of the Minister, certain articles that are needed, and only a day or two ago 3 Maxim guns, and ammunition, were ordered; and fifty binoculars, for the commissioned and non-commissioned officers. The Maxims, ammunition, and glasses, will be addressed to the Chief Ordnance Officer, Capetown, to your order, and will be there on your arrival.
[ from Lord Strathcona to ]
Lieut-Colonel Steele,
c/o The Hon. The Minister of Militia & Defence,  O t t a w a