The Alfred Lynden Kirkby Photograph Collection

The Alfred Lynden Kirkby Photograph Collection

This collection includes dozens of photographs taken by Alfred Lynden Kirkby (1910–1996), an RCMP member and avid photographer. They were taken from 1932 to 1953, while he was stationed in central and northern Saskatchewan, mainly at the Lac La Ronge RCMP Detachment. Alfred Kirkby was the officer in charge of the Lac La Ronge Detachment from 1943 until 1950, where he was the officer in charge. From 1950, he served in the Radisson, Saskatchewan Detachment until his discharge from the force in 1953.  

The collection contains some images of Indigenous Peoples—mostly of Cree people, but possibly Métis living in and around what is now La Ronge, Saskatchewan. However, most of the images in this collection are of Euro-Canadians. The photographs themselves are very eclectic and show various aspects of northern life, including fishing, fur trapping, and mining activities. There are also many photographs of northern lakes and outlaying settlements, such as Montreal Lake, Pelican Narrows, Pine Creek, and Deshambault Lake. The collection largely focuses on Lac La Ronge and includes photographs of the Kirkby family engaging with the local natural environment as well as the Lac La Ronge RCMP Detachment.

This collection was donated to the Institute through the generosity of Alfred Kirkby’s family, including his children: Kay, Lynden, and Wendy Kirkby and his grandchildren: Trenton Kirkby, Charleen Kirkby, and Angela (Kirkby) MacDonald. The Gabriel Dumont Institute extends a heartfelt maarsii to Alfred Kirkby’s family for this generous donation. 

The collection also includes mittens and moccasins which were collected by Alfred Kirkby, while he was stationed in Lac La Ronge and were donated to the Gabriel Dumont Institute by his daughter, Wendy. The mittens and moccasins are now part of the Gabriel Dumont Institute’s Museum and Gallery Collection in Saskatoon.

Copyright for these images rests with the Kirkby family. These images shall not be reproduced for any purpose and are for reference purposes only.

For Further Information: Kathryn [Kay] Kirkby, Compiler, In the Days of the Dog Team: The Photographic Journey of Alfred l. Kirkby, Royal Canadian Mounted Police thru the years 1932 to 1953. Vo1. One—2nd Printing. Cowichan, BC: ALK.K Photos, no date.