On June 24, 2002 two of BCICS’ summer student researchers,
Katie Rollwagen and Julia Smith, arrived at their “home
away from home,” the Moby Dick Inn, in Prince Rupert, British
Columbia. This was no summer holiday. The “City of Rainbows”
has a rich co-operative history. It has been home to producer
and consumer co-ops and credit unions since the 1930s. Katie and
Julia had left sunny Victoria to search out the secrets of this
fallen co-operative empire.
The
local credit union welcomed the researchers with open arms and
invited them to delve into their basement archives. In the ‘dungeon,’
Katie and Julia unearthed the records of the Prince Rupert Fishermen’s
Co-operative Association, once the largest co-operative fishing
venture on British Columbia’s coast. Amid the many boxes
they also divulged the past of the Kaien Consumers’ Co-operative
and the credit unions.
Although Katie and Julia reveled in the sheer mass of historical
documents, the most enjoyable aspect of the trip was interviewing
former co-op members. Ken Harding, former manager of the Prince
Rupert Fishermen’s Co-operative, enlightened the pair on
the day-to-day operations of the co-op. Retired fisher Foster
Husoy had much to say about the co-op’s relationship with
the co-op and the unions. Lee Bodie and Helen Stamnes provided
insight into the demise of the consumer co-op. Mike Tarr, CEO
of Northern Savings Credit Union, offered his opinion on the future
of credit unions in British Columbia, while Eric Ross, longtime
director of the credit union, discussed the role of credit unions
on Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands).
| Q-
How did you become a co-op board member?
A- Pressure, from the other guys! That and a big mouth...
you know that if you stand up and speak at meetings everybody
wants you to do all the work. I never could keep my mouth
shut. That’s what my mother said, I was vaccinated
by a gramophone needle.
Foster Husoy - former director of Prince
Rupert Fishermen’s Co-operative |
Before returning home, Katie and Julia traveled along the mighty
Skeena River to Terrace to visit long-time co-operator Corbin
King. Over coffee and scones, Corbin told them about his involvement
in the Rural Leadership Society, a co-operative formed in 1940
by young people participating in a course at the University of
British Columbia. Armed with this co-operative knowledge, Corbin
went on to manage the Terrace Co-operative Association for over
30 years and became a board member for Federated Co-ops.
Though research kept them busy, Julia and Katie still found
time to sit on the patio at Breakers Pub (located in the former
co-op supply building), and enjoy the sunshine, soaring eagles
and sparkling blue water.
Back in Victoria, Katie and Julia did an exemplary job writing
up some of the co-operative history of Prince Rupert for the Galleria
and other research projects. Thanks to everyone in Prince Rupert
and Terrace who made the trip so successful.
To download PDF version Click Here. 
