November 2017 - Manitoba Museum

Winnipeg, MB (November 30, 2017): The Manitoba Museum’s annual Tribute Gala will honour Abdo (Albert) El Tassi, C.M., O.M., LL.D. and Samira El Tassi on May 24 at the Museum’s Alloway Hall. The El Tassis are widely known and recognized as sincere, passionate donors. They work tirelessly to promote understanding, tolerance and respect across the globe.

“The Manitoba Museum has a tremendous appreciation for those who support our mission, and great admiration for those who give globally as well as in their home community,” says Scott Craig, Chair of the Manitoba Museum’s Board of Governors. “Albert and Samira El Tassi are such donors. The beginning of their story is similar to that of many people coming to Canada for the opportunities our country has to offer. Their ongoing story of generosity and giving back to the community is an inspiration for us all.”

“The world is a much better place thanks to people like Albert and Samira El Tassi. Children are safer, immigrants are supported, families are hopeful, and businesses are encouraged. The support of their global community, through not only financial contributions but generous donations of their time to non-profit organizations, is truly inspiring,” says Dave Angus. “I am proud to Chair the Tribute 2018 Honourary Committee celebrating the El Tassis and their spirit of community support.”

Learning they were to be honoured at the Manitoba Museum’s Tribute Gala, Albert El Tassi said, “Awards and honours mean so much to us because they can motivate other people to do more and help build their drive to improve communities. We are honoured to be recognized for our work and hope our commitments will encourage others to give back to our community.”

Proceeds from Tribute support the Manitoba Museum’s Access for All community initiative, which provides complimentary Museum visits to more than 60,000 individuals living with special circumstances each year. Contributions to Tribute 2018 will provide impact and help the Museum create memorable learning experiences that build pride in Manitoba and tell the province’s essential stories, bridging language, culture, ethnicity and age.

Mr. El Tassi was born and raised in Kherbetrouha, Lebanon, where he was a schoolteacher and principal. He immigrated to Winnipeg in 1969 and his first job was loading trucks at Peerless Garments. In 1975, he became a proud Canadian citizen. He continued at Peerless Garments, working his way up until he was appointed General Manager in 1979 and by 2006, he became President and CEO. Since that time he has increased the company’s annual sales from $3 to $45 million. Mrs. El Tassi was born in Brazil. The couple met when Albert was visiting family in Brazil and they married shortly after, in May of 1976. Three years later she became a Canadian citizen.

The El Tassi’ s have four children and eighteen grandchildren of their own, but have made the world their family and have made the education and well-being of the children of the world a top priority in their giving. They have donated millions of dollars to charities dedicated to improving the lives of children including: Free the Children, Sick Kids Foundation, SOS Children’s Villages Canada, UNICEF, Variety: the Children’s Charity, the United Way, World Vision, International Disaster Relief, Winnipeg Harvest, and Habitat for Humanity. They also support organizations that advance human rights such as the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, University of Manitoba Indigenous Success, the Winnipeg International Storytelling Festival, and many educational institutions.

One of the founders of the Islamic Social Services Association of Manitoba, the Al Hijra Islamic School, the Canadian Islamic Chamber of Commerce and a Mosque in Thompson, Albert and Samira El Tassi are dedicated to their heritage, their faith and their world family. Mr. El Tassi is a member of the Arab Jewish Dialogue group, which helps bolster relations between differing cultures and religions in Canada. They have also sponsored immigrants, providing interest-free loans and university tuition.

Mr. El Tassi’s involvement on corporate and non-profit boards includes: the World Trade Centre, The Winnipeg Foundation, and the Canadian Textile Industry, Manitoba and Winnipeg Chambers of Commerce, Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, St-Boniface Hospital Foundation, and the Canadian Forces Liaison Council.

Mr. El Tassi, with the support of Mrs. El Tassi, has received many awards and honours including: the 2012 Gold Heart Humanitarian of the Year award from Variety, the Children’s Charity of Manitoba, outstanding Philanthropist of the Year in 2013 from the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals, the Orders of Canada and Manitoba, the Canadian Red Cross 2012 Humanitarian of the Year, and Honourary Doctors of Law from University of Manitoba 2013. In recognition of contributions to the community made by their family, a green space on Talbot Avenue was named El Tassi Park in January 2017. Mr. El Tassi was also named Honourary Lieutenant-Colonel of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles and was Honorary Chair of the Manitoba Provincial Committee of the Air Cadet League of Canada. He is the largest personal contributor to the Military Family Fund, which provides support to families of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Tribute 2018 Honourary Committee
Chair: Dave Angus
Members:
Austin C. Abas, FCPA, FCA
Dr. Asim Ashique BSc(Hons), MSc, DC, FCCOS(C)
Gail Asper, O.C., O.M., LL.D.
Mayor Brian Bowman
Doneta Brotchie
Diane Gray
Ibrahim “Obby” Khan, BSc Kin(Hons)
Arthur V. Mauro, O.C., O.M., Q.C.
Larry McIntosh
Priti Mehta-Shah, FCPA, FCA, CBV, CF
Sofia Mirza, BSc (Maj.), BA, LL.B.
Mariette Mulaire, CITP / FIBP
Loren Remillard
H. Sanford Riley, C.M., O.M., LL.D.

The 14th annual Tribute Gala will take place in Alloway Hall on May 24, 2018. For information about reserving tables, buying tickets, Tribute sponsorship opportunities, and/or to make a donation to the Access for All community initiative, please contact Janet Rheault, Corporate Partnerships Manager at 204-988-0629 or email jrheault@manitobamuseum.ca.

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Past Tribute Honourees – Gregg & Mary Hanson (Ambassadors for 2017); Sanford H. Riley (2016); The Winnipeg Foundation (2015); Doug Harvey (2014); Susan Lewis & United Way Winnipeg (2013); Kerry Hawkins (2012); Ambassador Gary Doer (2011); The Chipman Family (2010); Babs & Gail Asper (2009); Kevin & Els Kavanagh (2008); Lawrie Pollard (2007); Murray Taylor & Investors Group Inc. (2006); and George T. Richardson (2005).

Posted on: Wednesday November 29, 2017

You may have heard the old adage, attributed to either Napoleon or Frederick the Great, an army travels on its stomach. The saying attests to the importance of military forces being well-provisioned. A healthy food supply is especially critical for those recovering from illness or injury. Military histories rarely document the key role young women, such as dietitian Nora Mary Attree, played during World War II. Recently, Mary Attree’s niece, Janice Attree-Smith, donated a collection of materials documenting Mary’s war-time service.

Mary was born in 1912 in Sapton, Manitoba, to a family with deeps roots in Manitoba. Her great-great grandfather, “Orkney” John Inkster, came to Red River in 1821 in the service of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Mary’s family describes her as a friendly, unassuming woman with a great sense of humour. She was a good listener and someone they could always count on.

Mary attended the University of Manitoba and seems to have made the most of university life. An article in the Winnipeg Free Press mentions that she assisted as the home economics students entertained in the practice house at the tea hour and played interclass basketball that evening. Mary graduated with a BSc in 1931 and won the gold medal in Home Economics in 1931. She went on to post graduate training in Dietetics at Victoria General Hospital and was working in Regina at the opening of WWII.

A formal group photograph of four rows of women in uniforms and nurses head scarves in front of a wooden, one-storey building.

Image: Nursing Sisters, No. 8 Canadian Military Hospital, Jan. 21, 1942. Mary Attree is in the second row from the front, third from the right. Catalogue Number: H9-38-623.

In the fall of 1940, Mary Attree applied to enlist. In a letter to her parents she said “the experiences in a hospital of that kind, would be invaluable. As you know I do not mind hard work – and heaven knows there will be plenty of that! If I were to accept, it would merely be changing from one position to another, and actually has little or no danger attached to it. Anyway, who wants to touch an irate cook!” She was appointed an officer in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps with whom she would serve in Nova Scotia, then England, France, Belgium, and Holland before returning home to Canada to receive her discharge on August 21, 1945.

A black and white photograph of Mary Attree in military uniform and sunglasses, smiling towards the camera.

Mary Attree, 1942, Courtesy J. Attree-Smith

Items issued to Mary Attree: Identity tags, Catalogue Number: H9-38-620. Prescription respirator eyeglasses. Catalogue Number: H9-38-628. The glass frames were designed with flexible temples allowing them to be worn under a respirator. ©Manitoba Museum

Lt. Attree served as a dietitian at No. 8 Canadian General hospital where she “supervised the cooking and distribution of food to approximately 25,000 patients, along with the unit personnel” in one ten-month period. In a letter written by Capt. A. H. Ernswell, he described how she took “care of the feeding problems of a 600 bed hospital, personnel and patients under some very trying conditions”. Today, a 600 bed hospital would be the second largest in Manitoba. During her military career Mary Attree received the oak leaf insignia for mention in dispatches and she was awarded the Royal Red Cross Class 2 (ARRC) medal. A generous and loyal friend, Mary forged strong bonds with her fellow nursing staff members – friendships she would retain throughout her life.

Two photographs displaying a range of military medals.

L-R: ARRC medal presented to Mary Attree. Catalogue Number: H9-38-616. The medal is awarded to a member of a nursing service who has performed an exceptional act of bravery and devotion at her post of duty.; Court mounted group of miniature format medals, Catalogue Number H9-38-615. ©Manitoba Museum

In 1947 Mary began 26 year career as with the RCMP as a Senior Messing Officer heading up a staff of six dietitians across the country. You could say that her career mirrored her military service as she continued to support the work of the force by keeping them well provisioned. Mary was quoted as saying that the Mounties are “healthy men, and we try to keep them that way.” Initially she would have been considered a civil servant; the civilian member category of the force was not created until 1960. In 1966 she was one of only 100 women working within the male dominated organization. Her family described her as a feminist ahead of her time.

Image: Mary Attree, July 1957, Unidentified photographer. Catalogue Number: H9-38-624

Sources: Winnipeg Free Press, October 26, 1929, p. 48; Brandon Sun, September 22, 1966, pg. 8; Documents and biographical notes provided by Janice Attree-Smith.

Nancy Anderson

Collections Management Specialist – Human History

Nancy Anderson holds a B.A. (Hons) in History from the University of Winnipeg, and received her M.A. in Canadian Social History jointly from the University of Winnipeg and University of Manitoba. She has over 30 years experience…

Meet Nancy Anderson

Museum Stories: Collections & Conservation

Collections & Conservation

Tuesday May 27, 2025

Posted on: Wednesday November 1, 2017

When people find out I’m a botanist they always start asking me about their houseplants. Unfortunately, I really don’t know much about houseplants as they are pretty much all tropical or desert plants, not native species, which is where my expertise lies. Not wanting to seem rude by saying “how should I know what’s wrong with your stupid Ficus”, I began thinking about the things I could say using my knowledge about plant ecology. The best advice I was able to come up with is to learn about where your houseplant comes from originally and use that information to adjust how you treat your plant. In this spirit, here is some good general advice. Obviously, the best advice to follow is the instructions on that little tag that comes with the plant. But if you’ve lost the tag and don’t know what species is, there are a few things the plant can tell you about itself.

A small bushy plant with tick thumbprint shaped leaves in a square terracotta pot.

1. Thick, fleshy leaved plants

Plants with thick, fleshy leaves or stems and spines, are succulents. This means they are probably adapted to dry, desert environments where they might go without rain for months at a time. When it does rain, the plants suck up the water quickly, often storing it as a kind of gel. These plants thrive on neglect and are excellent if you travel a lot as you can leave them for weeks at a time without watering them. In fact, overwatering can kill them, as can the way you water them. Succulents don’t like their “feet” (i.e. roots) wet for very long. To water a succulent properly, wait until the leaves/stems get wrinkly-this means they are using their stored water to live. Place your pot in a sink, shower or bathtub, pour in a whole bunch of lukewarm water and let it drain through the hole in the bottom overnight (DON’T use a pot with a water tray at the bottom). I water my succulent pot only about once a month. Also succulents love sun so they typically need a southern-facing window to be happy.

Examples: Century plant (Agave), aloes (Aloe), jade plant (Crassula), Euphorbia (Euphorbia), burrow’s tail (Sedum), and cactuses

Image: Jade plant (Crassula ovata) is a succulent that does not like to be overwatered.

A plant with larger, oblong, dark green leaves in a blue vase. A few buds reach above the leaves, with one white flower open.

2. Wide, dark green, thin-leaved plants

Plants with wide, dark leaves tend to be forest floor dwellers, vines or tropical bromeliads. Since very little light penetrates to the forest floor they need big leaves to intercept enough light. Putting such a plant in a hot, southern window will probably make it miserable as it will get the botanical equivalent of sunburn. They may drop their leaves and grow newer, smaller, paler ones in response to these conditions. These types of plants typically do OK in northern-facing windows or indirect light. They generally also hate drying out so they should be watered fairly frequently to keep the soil damp. A word of caution: some of these plants like humid conditions and may not grow well in a dry house; they might be happier in a terrarium or near a humidifier.

Examples: Chinese evergreen (Agalonema), cast-iron plant (Aspidistra), pothos (Epipremnum), Chinese fan palm (Livistona), peace lily (Spathiphyllum), bromeliads, ferns and many orchids

Image: Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) will tolerate low light. From Wikimedia Commons.

Several Spider plants growing ina garden bed. Bushy plants with long, thin, pale green leaves.

3. Narrow, pale green or silvery-leaved plants

Plants with narrow leaves are often from sunny, somewhat dry habitats like savannas, grasslands and open forests. They generally prefer east, west or south-facing windows and may do OK with indirect light. Unlike succulents, they typically need moister soil conditions although they will still need good drainage.

Examples: Spider plant (Chlorophytum), umbrella plant (Cyperus), dragon plant (Dracena), date palm (Phoenix), yuccas (Yucca)

Image: Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) like it a bit sunny. From Wikimedia Commons.

That’s about all I know about houseplants. Good luck not killing yours!

Dr. Diana Bizecki Robson

Curator of Botany

Dr. Bizecki Robson obtained a Master’s Degree in Plant Ecology at the University of Saskatchewan studying rare plants of the mixed grass prairies. After working as an environmental consultant and sessional lecturer…

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