Fonds 20-017 - Canadian Slovak League (CSL) fonds

Title and statement of responsibility area

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Canadian Slovak League (CSL) fonds

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  • Textual record
  • Graphic material

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Fonds

Reference code

CA ON0034 20-017

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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

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Physical description

123.4 cm of textual records
11 prints : posters

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Archival description area

Name of creator

(1932-)

Administrative history

The Canadian Slovak League (CSL) was founded in December 1932 by Andrej Kučera, Juraj Rodoš and Pavol A. Sabo, representatives of the Winnipeg Branch of the Slovak League of America. The founding members of the CSL wanted to create an organization catering to the needs of Slovak-Canadians and sought to broaden the social and financial support to their members. In 1934, this organization received a “Dominion Charter” therefore making the CSL a fraternal benefit society. For the remainder of the 1930s, this organization continued to support Slovakia’s independence as promised by the Pittsburg Agreement. It also paid death benefits according to the size of its treasury to deceased members’ family. The Oshawa and Hamilton branches of the CSL established the First District of the Assembly followed by the first Slovak Day in Oshawa. Slovak Days in cities such as Toronto, Hamilton, Welland, Montréal and Windsor would soon follow.

In the 1940s, the CSL was involved in the Canadian war effort. Members purchased war bonds and participated in the war effort. The CSL donated an ambulance to the Red Cross. During these years, the CSL established its organ newspaper Kanadský Slovak, edited respectively by Štefan Hreha, Konštantin Čuleň, Štefan Reištetter, Andrej Brazda and Julius Behul. Upon World War II’s and the beginning of Communist regime in Czechoslovakia, the CSL sent a delegation to Ottawa to persuade the Canadian government to accept Slovak refugees fleeing the Communist regime, a situation intensified by the Pact of Warsaw in 1968.

In 1954, the CSL was reorganized as an insurance company. Members now had to pay monthly fees according to their age. Due to this new policy, membership dropped making this organization return to its previous role as a fraternal organization. Culturally, the CSL continued to support Slovak Halls where plays and Slovak folk dance groups performed culminating in a performance at Expo ’67. CSL members also sponsored radio shows and television programs.

With the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1989, the CSL demanded that a full Canadian diplomatic post be created in Bratislava. To this day, the CSL continues to help Slovak immigrants arriving in Canada and promotes Slovak culture and heritage with activities in various branches.

Custodial history

The records were donated by Mr Branislav Galat, among others to Professor Mark M. Stolárik, head of the Chair in Slovak History and Culture.

Scope and content

This fonds consists of documents giving an overview of the history of the Canadian Slovak League (CSL), its day-to-day functioning, its support of Slovak-Canadian communities and its publicity of Slovak events and activities. It contains correspondence books, account ledgers, membership lists, letters, notes, resolutions, statements, photocopied newspaper clippings and Grand Bazaar of the CSL's admission ticket, collection sheets for funds, meetings' minutes, presidents' messages, telegrams, lists, census documents, certificates, tables of content, a keynote address, announcements, budgets, Slovak League of America Congress' rights, the poem Rola ma vola, a plea on behalf of Slovak refugees or displaced persons, reports, receipts, a certification, posters of Slovak personalities Martin Rázus, Milan Rastislav Štefánik, Andrej Hlinka and Jozef Tiso and flags.

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

These records were donated to the University of Ottawa Archives and Special Collections between 2003 and 2006 via Mark M. Stolárik, head of the Chair in Slovak History and Culture.

Arrangement

This fonds has been organized into two series: Administrative records and Publicity and communication documents. We maintained the original order of the file as provided by the donor. Issues of Kanadský Slovak, Slovak v Amerike and Jednota have been integrated to the Slovak periodical collection.

Language of material

  • English
  • French
  • Slovak

Script of material

  • Latin

Location of originals

Availability of other formats

Restrictions on access

The majority of the fonds is open and accessible, however, some files are restricted for a predetermined period of time. Please ask ARCS staff for further information.

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

Finding aids

A paper finding aid is available

Associated materials

Issues of newspapers Jednota, Kanadský Slovák and Slovák v Amerike were donated with the fonds and can be found in the library catalogue.

Accruals

Accompanying material


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Description record identifier

CA

Institution identifier

ON0034

Rules or conventions

RAD

Status

Final

Level of detail

Full

Dates of creation, revision and deletion

Revised in June and July 2018.

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