Georgina (nee Lafond) Venne was born on July 3, 1930, at home on Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan. Georgina is one of twelve children born to August and Rose (nee Moreau) Lafond. Georgina spent her early years at home with her parents. In 1938, she was sent to St. Michael's Indian Residential School in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan. Georgina's mother was a Métis woman and the family was fluent in the language of michif and while at the residential school the nuns would not speak French in front of the Lafond children. Georgina stayed at St. Michael's Residential School until 1946. After leaving residential school, Georgina returned to Muskeg Lake to help her mother at home. In April of 1948 Georgina moved to Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta to work as a domestic. Georgina returned to Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in September of the same year. Georgina married Emile Venne (a veteran of the Second World War) on October 4, 1948. Georgina and Emile had ten children (Annabelle Jean 1950, Marvin Bernard 1951, Emil Rodney 1953, Albert 1955, Kerry Dale 1958, Perry 1962-1969, Darcy Wayne 1963, Colleen Rose 1966, Shane Lee 1970 and Debra Marie in 1976). Emile and Georgina ran a small family farm on the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in the early years of their marriage. Emile was elected Chief of Muskeg Lake in 1956 and served until 1958. In 1961, Emile accepted a job as a farm instructor for The Department of Indian Affairs. Due to the nature of his job, Emile and his family resided in various Saskatchewan communities including: Fishing Lake First Nation, Big River First Nation and Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation. The Vennes settled in Saskatoon in 1970. Emile retired from Indian Affairs in 1983. Georgina was widowed January 8, 1999 after 50 years of marriage.

David Joseph Lafond was born on April 6, 1928, at home at Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan. The second of twelve children born to August and Rose (nee Moreau) Lafond, Dave spent his first ten years living with his parents on Muskeg Lake Cree Nation. In 1937, he was sent to St. Michael's Indian Residential School in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan where he attended until 1944. After returning home, David lived with his grandparents Andrew and Madeline (nee Greyeyes) Lafond, where he helped with his grandfather's small farm; a farm that David likened to 'a large garden nowadays.' To earn extra money, Dave would work as a farm hand during harvest season. David left the reserve in the spring of 1948 to work in Squamish, British Columbia, where he installed footings for power lines. Following that, he moved to Ontario where he worked in the Red Lake gold mine. David began his lengthy career in farming after his return from Ontario in 1949. He started out with four horses, two cows, and a plow, and cleared the land by hand with a hired helper. David purchased land on and around Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, where he farmed to create a very successful career for himself. David married Eva Venne on October 25, 1950. Their first home was a 'log shack' that David built with five hundred dollars. In 1951, David was able to purchase his first tractor, which made things a little easier, enabling him to work more land. David and Eva lived in their cabin until 1961. Six of their seven children were born while they lived there. (Lester David 1951, Joyce Marilyn 1953, Kirk Patrick 1955, Elvis Brennon 1957-2001, Janet Lucille 1959, Melody Rose 1961) In 1961, David was able to build a larger home for his family near their original homestead. Their seventh child Lois Louise was born in 1964 while they were living in the new three-bedroom home. David was actively involved with the Crown Hill 4-H club for thirty-five years. In 2003, he was honored by the Angus Cattle Association at the Regina Agribition for his contribution to the 4-H Club. David was also very involved with sports. He played hockey for the Aldina Prolites until he broke his arm in 1957. Though unable to play any longer, he remained an avid sports enthusiast. David served as a councilor for Muskeg Lake Cree Nation for thirty years beginning in 1966 until 1996. He also served as Acting Chief 1989 to 1990. On April 21, 1998, David's wife, Eva, of 47 years passed away. David Joseph Lafond resides at his home on Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, where he farms with his grandson Stacy Sutherland, continuing the tradition of his family.

Alphonsine (nee Venne) Lafond was the daughter of Bernard and Georgina (nee Greyeyes) Venne. Alpha was the first female chief of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, elected in 1960, and the first woman senator in the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN). Albert Lafond was a veteran of the Second World War, serving in the Italian theatre of war as well as northeastern Europe, and in Korea with the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). Albert and Alpha raised six children (Carol, Robert, Albert, George, Judith, and Dean). A daughter Carol Ann Lafond was born on July 8, 1954 at the North Battleford Indian Hospital in North Battleford, Saskatchewan to Alphonsine (nee Venne) and Albert Lafond. Carol grew up on the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and received her elementary and high school education in the nearby town of Marcelin, Saskatchewan. Carol married in 1972 and had three children (Bonnie 1973, Beverly 1976 and William 1978). Carol also adopted three daughters (Tara 1983, Leah 1985 and Kaila 1987) and is now the proud grandmother of three (Bella 2005, Ava 2006 and Haley 2007). After her marriage, Carol resided on a farm in the Marcelin district and worked as a librarian at Marcelin School from 1975-1976 and 1979 -1983. She also drove a school bus for Marcelin School from 1974 to 1983. Carol moved to Saskatoon in 1983 to attend the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) and received her Library Technician diploma in 1984. After receiving her diploma, Carol decided to further her education. She enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan and received her Bachelor of Education Degree in 1988. Carol returned to her home community of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in 1988. In September of 1989 Carol worked as the Post Secondary Councilor for the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, a position that she held until 2004. In 2004, Carol became the Campus director of Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT) and left to become the Director of Higher Education at the Federation of Saskatchewan Indians where she worked from March of 2005 to October 2005. Carol is currently a Resource Developer and Policy Analyst for the Saskatoon Tribal Council Health and Family Services. Carol has also served on the Blaine Lake Board of Education 1990-1996 and well as the Saskatchewan Valley School Division 1998-2000. Carol has many interests and hobbies including scrap-booking, golfing, and curling. She also loves to travel and has visited Fiji, New Zealand, and the British Isles. Carol's passion has always been Muskeg Lake Cree Nation history and genealogy. She recognized the need to collect and preserve the histories and stories of the people of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and began to collect photographs and artifacts and recording elders stories so that the wealth of information would be carried on.

Freda I. Ahenakew, a Cree woman, was born on February 11, 1932, at home on Ahtahkakoop First Nation, Saskatchewan. The second of eight children born to Edward and Annie (nee Bird) Ahenakew, Freda spent her childhood on Ahtahkakoop where she attended the Sandy Lake Day School. As a teenager, Freda lived in Prince Albert where she attended the Prince Albert Collegiate Institute, and resided at St. Alban's Residence. In 1951, Freda married Harold Greyeyes from the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and together they had twelve children (Dolores Carol 1951, Brenda Vivian 1952, Barbara Ruth 1954, Harold Dennis 1955, Judith May 1957, Anita Elaine 1958, Lawrence Edward 1959, Gloria Lynn 1960, Kevin Ray 1962, Spencer Garth 1963, Nancy Cecile 1972, and Josephine Marie in 1975). As a result of her marriage, Freda became a member of the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation. In the early years of their marriage, Freda and Harold lived on both the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and the Ahtahkakoop First Nation. To earn extra income, Harold went to work in British Columbia in the lumber industry. In the fall of 1956, Freda and four of their children accompanied Harold to British Columbia, where in 1957 their fifth child Judith May was born. The family returned to Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in 1959 where they began operating their own small mixed farm. In 1979, Freda returned to school and received her Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan. That same year she was the recipient of the Mother of the Year award from the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN). In 1979, Freda's marriage to Harold Greyeyes ended. Freda began her teaching career on the Lac La Ronge First Nation in 1979 and taught there for one year. Freda also taught at the Saskatoon Survival School (now the Joe Duquette High School in Saskatoon) for the 1980-1981 school term. Freda then moved to Winnipeg to study at the University of Manitoba where she received her Masters of Arts in Cree Linguistics in 1984. Freda's published thesis Cree Language Structures has been reprinted seventeen times. From 1983-1985, Freda worked as an Assistant in Native Studies at the University of Saskatchewan, she then became the Director of the Saskatchewan Indian Language Institute from 1985-1989. Freda returned to Winnipeg in 1990 where she began work as an Associate Professor of Native Studies at The University of Manitoba and was appointed Head of the Department of Native Studies until 1995. Freda returned to Saskatchewan in 1995 to work as a First Nations Language Consultant to the Prince Albert Grand Council until she retired in 1997. Throughout her career as an educator Freda has worked to preserve the Cree language. She has authored a number of books including kohkominawak otácimowinawáwa (Our Grandmothers' Lives, as Told in Their Own Words), kwayask é-ki-pé-kiskinowápahtihicik (Their Example Showed Me the Way: A Cree Woman's Life Shaped by Two Cultures) and wisáhkécáhk (Flies to the Moon). Freda has also translated various children's books and produced a number of textbooks and technical dictionaries. Her contributions have helped ensure the survival of the Cree language and culture. Freda has received many awards and honours for her contribution to education and the preservation of the Cree language and culture. These include: the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) Citizen of the Year (1992), an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Saskatchewan (1997), the Order of Canada (1998), National Aboriginal Achievement Award in Education (2001), and the Saskatchewan Order of Merit (2005). Freda is now retired and living on Muskeg Lake Cree Nation where she enjoys spending time with her many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Etta Birdsall (married name Garnham) was Housekeeper and Dietician for Regina General Hospital, ca. 1917-1918. In her position, she also taught dietetics to the students of the Regina General Hospital School of Nursing. Birdsall died in January 1988 in Ontario.

Lesley [also spelled Leslie] Mary Ellis (nee Weston) was a graduate of the Regina General Hospital School of Nursing, class of 1928. She married W. J. Ellis, and moved to British Columbia. In 1989, she was a resident of Victoria, British Columbia.

Edna Ann Jane Korpan (nee Carson) was originally from Valparaiso, Saskatchewan. She entered the Regina General Hospital School of Nursing in 1938, graduating in 1941. After graduation, Edna worked at the Regina General Hospital, first as General Duty nurse and then as night duty Head Nurse of the Psychopathic Department. During the 1940's, Edna married N. H. (Nick) Korpan, and by 1950 the family had moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Eleanor Frances Linnell (married name Stundon) was originally from Summerberry, Saskatchewan. She entered the Regina General Hospital School of Nursing in 1940, graduating in 1943. Linnell worked at the Regina General Hospital for a period of time immediately after graduation. By 1950, she was living in Ottawa, Ontario, but returned to Regina during the decade. From 1959 to 1964, she served as Operating Room Instructor for the Regina General Hospital School of Nursing. On 1 June 1964, Linnell assumed the position of Associate Director of Nursing Education, and then in 1966, the position of Director of Nursing Education. In 1967, she was granted a one-year leave of absence from her position in order to complete her degree in education at the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus. She returned to the hospital in 1968 as the Director of the School of Nursing, remaining until the school closed in 1972. After her departure from the School, Linnell moved to Grenfell, Saskatchewan, and married Mr. [?] Stundon.

A native of Broadview, Saskatchewan, John Hall Archer served the province as Legislative Librarian and Provincial Archivist prior to 1964. In that year he was appointed Director of Library Services at McGill University, a position he held until moving to Queen's University in 1967. At Queen's he served as Associate Professor of History and University Archivist, and completed his Ph.D. dissertation, entitled "Administration of Archival Institutions in Canada," in 1969. In October 1969, Dr. Archer was appointed Principal of the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus, and when the University of Regina was established on July 1, 1974, he became its first President, serving until the end of 1975. John Archer has written and edited numerous articles and books on Saskatchewan's history, and has been a popular speaker throughout the province and elsewhere. As an archivist and librarian Dr. Archer participated in a number of professional associations, particularly the Canadian Library Association of which he was president (1967). He served on the Saskatchewan Constituency Boundaries Commission (1972-1974), the federal Royal Commission on Government Organization (1961), and participated in a study of Brandon University's financial problems for the Universities Grants Commission of Manitoba.

Born October 9, 1889 near Southhampton, England, Richard Edward St. Barbe Baker was educated at Dean Close School, Cheltenham; Emanual College, University of Saskatchewan; and Cambridge University where he completed forestry studies. Following service in World War II, and a brief stint with the British civil service, St. Barbe was appointed Assistant Conservator of Forests in Kenya. There in 1922, he founded the Men of the Trees, enlisting the help of 9,000 voluntary tree planters in an attempt to arrest the invading Sahara. This society, which grew into an international organization, became the central cause of St. Barbe's life. He became a renowned forestry consultant, and over the years was called upon to advise governments in many nations on forestry and conservation matters, including Palestine, New Zealand, the United States, Africa, and India. He also was active in promoting international co-operation and was involved in preparations for the first World Forestry Congress held in Rome in 1926. In addition to his extensive forestry and conservation activities, St. Barbe wrote and published widely and has more than thirty books and scores of articles to his credit. While much of his writing is autobiographical in nature, he also wrote about tree, forestry and conservation concerns, spiritual and religious topics, health matters, and horses, and also produced some material specifically for children. Throughout his life St. Barbe was constantly in demand as a public lecturer, speaking to numerous audiences in many countries, and gave talks in schools all over Britain and New Zealand. His radio talks were featured on the BBC in Britain, and he was also heard on radio in the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and Africa. Beyond his forestry and literary activities, St. Barbe was strongly involved with the Baha'i Faith, and was a proponent of healthful living. He received an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Saskatchewan in 1972, and in 1977 the Order of the British Empire was bestowed upon him. Richard St. Barbe Baker was married twice. His marriage to Doreen Whitworth in 1946 ended in divorce in 1953. This union produced a daughter Angela, and a son, Paul. In 1959 St. Barbe married Catriona Burnett. Her home at Mount Cook Station, New Zealand remained his residence until his death, which occured on June 9, 1982 in Saskatoon while on a visit to the University of Saskatchewan.

The son of Mr. And Mrs. Lewis Muir Barber, Lloyd Ingram Barber was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on March 8, 1932. He grew up in Regina Beach and attended high school at Luther College in Regina. In 1950 he moved to Saskatoon to study at the University of Saskatchewan, earning a B.A. in Economics in 1953 and a Bachelor of Commerce in Administration the following year. He received a Masters Degree in Business Administration (marketing) from the University of California in 1955 and a Ph.D. from the University of Washington in 1964. Dr. Barber joined the faculty of the University of Saskatchewan as an instructor in 1955, and rose to become Dean of Commerce in 1966. From 1968 to 1974 he served as vice-president of the University, moving to Regina to become President of the newly autonomous University of Regina in 1976, serving in that capacity until his retirement in 1990. Outside the academic sphere, Lloyd Barber is noted for his appointment by the Privy Council of Canada as Canada's Indian Claims Commissioner. He held this appointment from 1969 until 1977. He also helped to establish the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College where he remains as their Chief Negotiator. He has held numerous appointments to boards and directorships of such organizations as the Bank of Nova Scotia, Husky Oil of Canada, and Canadian Pacific. Lloyd Barber is a companion of the Order of Canada and has received the Aboriginal Order of Canada. His other awards include the Centennial medal, the Vanier medal, honorary professor at Shandong University in China, and honorary degrees from the University of Alberta (1983) and Concordia University (1984). Dr. Barber and his wife, Muriel Pauline Barber, reside in Regina Beach, Saskatchewan. They have a family of six children: Muir, Brian, Kathleen, David, Susan and Patricia.

Born in Bangalore, India in 1956, writer Ven Begamudr moved to Canada in 1962. He attended high school in Vancouver, and received a B.A. in public administration from Carleton University, Ottawa, in 1977. He studied creative writing through workshops and courses offered by the University of Regina (1979), the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (1988, 1989), the Saskatchewan School of the Arts (1978-1982, 1989) and the Banff Centre for the Arts (1990, 1991). Currently he is working towards a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from Warren Wilson College, Asheville, North Carolina. Ven Begamudr's books include the novel 'Van de Graaff Days' (1993) and the short story collections 'Laterna Magika' (1997) and 'A Planet of Eccentrics' (1990), all published by Oolichan Books. He has also published dozens of shorter works in anthologies and magazines in North America, Europe, and Australia. He edited 'Lodestone: Stories by Regina Writers' (Fifth House, 1993) and co-edited 'Out of Place: Stories and Poems' (Coteau, 1991) with poet Judith Krause. Begamudr served as writer-in-residence at the University of Calgary (1994-95), the University of Alberta (1996-97), and in Edinburgh, Scotland (1996). He has presented readings of his work across Canada, and in the U.S. and Scotland, and he has been featured nationally on CBC radio. He has taught creative writing courses and workshops for various organizations including University of Regina Extension (1983, 1990-91), the Saskatchewan School of the Arts (1987-1989), and Sage Hill Writing Experience (1993). He was the founding president of the latter organization, (1990-91) and has held several positions within the Saskatchewan Writers Guild including president in 1990-91. He has acted as a juror for a number of literary competitions and granting agencies across Canada. Begamudr's work has earned several awards, among them the F.G. Bressani Literary prize for prose (1992), the Okanagan Short Story Award (1989), the City of Regina Writing Award (1990), and a creative-non-fiction prize from 'Event' magazine. Ven Begamudr has been a resident of Saskatchewan since 1978 and he has held various posts with the Saskatchewan Civil Service. He lives in Regina with his wife, Shelley Sopher.

William Clifford (Cliff) Blight was born July 14, 1908 at Oakville, Manitoba, the son of George and Isabella Blight. In 1933 he married Elizabeth A. Chaytor of Angusville, Manitoba, who was the daughter of W.S. and Maria Chaytor. They have two children, William John and Elizabeth A. Blight. W.C. Blight was educated at Oakville, taking his Grade 12 at Portage Collegiate. He attended Brandon Normal School in 1928, received a B.Sc. from the University of Manitoba in 1940, and earned a M.Sc. in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin in 1952. Blight taught at various Manitoba school districts (1928-1937), and served as senior armament instructor in the Royal Canadian Air Force, 1940-1945. In February, 1945 he came to Regina College as instructor in mathematics, rising to the rank of associate professor by 1971. He held the following administrative posts: Assistant to the Dean, 1952-1959; Assistant to Registrar and Registrar at Regina College/Campus, 1959-1969; and Regina Campus Secretary, 1969-1973. He served on numerous University committees and was instrumental in developing the institution's academic program. In 1974, following his retirement, Blight was named Registrar Emeritus. He died in 1995.

Ronald Langley Bloore is a Canadian abstract painter and art educator. He was born in Brampton, Ontario in 1925, and studied art and archaeology in Toronto, New york, St. Louis, London, Brussels, and Antwerp. In 1958 he became an instructor in Art and Archaeology and Director of the Norman MacKenzie Art Gallery which was then part of the University of Saskatchewan, Regina College. He left to teach at York University in 1966, retiring from active teaching in 1985 and retiring from the University in 1990. Best known for his white on white paintings, Bloore's work has been exhibited in public and private galleries across Canada. A member of the famous "Regina Five" group of visual artists, Bloore received an honorary doctorate from York University in 1993, and was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada the same year.