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By leaving one’s Homeland, family, friends and everything that made sense in one’s life, in order to begin a new chapter in a new country and to use an unfamiliar language every day, one faces a great unknown. What will life be like far from one’s Homeland? A belief that one’s life, and the lives of one’s children, will be better is continuous company.
As Poles migrated to Canada, they longed to come together, in order to converse with people in their own language, to cultivate traditions, and to nurture their Polish culture. In 1929, Polish immigrants in Brantford organized a club called The White Eagles Friendly Society. They were able to meet, to reminisce about the Homeland, and to mutually help each other cope with their new situation. On April 9, 1932, Marcin Sasiela proposed a merger of the club with the already-existing Polish Alliance of Canada, Mutual Benefit Society.
At the inaugural meeting on April 16, 1932, Polish Alliance of Canada Branch 10 was officially established, received a charter from the Polish Alliance of Canada Head Executive Board, and began its Alliance work.
The newly-formed organization consisted of 16 members. The first board was formed by the following individuals: T. Stachurski – President; Z. Mroz – Vice-president; M. Konefal – Recording Secretary; M. Stachurska – Treasurer; F. Czerwinski – Financial Secretary; and W. Pikula – Organizer.
The first years of work were not easy. There was a lack of funds. The organization’s most important objective became the purchase of its own Hall, a place where regular meetings could take place.
The Branch’s members worked hard to collect the necessary funds. By 1939, a Hall at 126 Albion Street was purchased for $2,500 and became the meeting place. In the same year, PAC Branch 10’s Ladies’ Circle was formed. The women quickly became an integral part of the Branch and were irreplaceable in many activities. During World War II, they worked in the local Red Cross by sewing and mending clothing and by sending care packages to soldiers and orphans.
They continue to popularize Polish cuisine today, by offering the most delicious Polish and foreign dishes at banquets, parties, weddings and other occasional events. During the war, the organization gave wide-ranging help to Polish farmers and soldiers fighting on various fronts. In 1941, the Branch’s members joined other Alliance branches in purchasing an ambulance for the Polish Army. Regardless of the difficult war years, Brantford’s Branch tried to help its German-occupied countrymen, as well as other organizations and institutions active during the war.
In the post-war years, Polish Alliance of Canada Branch 10 in Brantford became a help centre and second home for new arrivals. The organization offered wide-ranging help to new immigrants in adapting to new living conditions on Canadian soil. In the mid-1950’s and early 1970’s, the Branch again welcomed a new wave of Polish immigrants, whose majority became active members of The Polish Alliance of Canada.
The creation of the “Solidarity” Movement in Poland, system changes that took place in the early 1980’s, and the war state forced many young families to leave the country and to search for a new place to live. In this way, they found themselves in Canada, settling in southern Ontario in Brantford, among others.
Proud of their origin, the Poles longed to maintain their culture, their customs, and most of all their language. A need to organize Polish language classes for the youngest generation of Polish immigrants was born. The first Polish School in Brantford, established in 1929, was attended by 30 students in the beginning. Lessons often took place in Polish homes at the kitchen table.
When the building on Albion Street was purchased, the students obtained a new domicile and new classrooms with Polish language teaching aids. The school was named after Copernicus, the greatest Polish astronomer and scholar. The Copernicus Polish School had as many as 70 students, aged 4 to 13 years (kindergarten to grade 8). The school had its own library with a rich collection of works by the most famous Polish authors. The school previously sponsored a Polish musical ensemble of 20 students. The Branch purchased musical instruments, and two musical ensembles were formed, quickly becoming popular in Brantford.
In 1956, the Branch’s scholarship was established, in order to financially help university students. 20% of the income from renting out the banquet hall was set aside for the scholarship. One of the financers was Franciszek Niedziolka, a deserving Branch 10 member. The Branch’s scholarship, which had been established in 1956, was later transferred to The W. Reymont Foundation, established by the PAC Head Executive Board in 1970, and has been given out to students from PAC Branch 10 ever since.
During these years, the building at 126 Albion Street was renovated and changed its interior and exterior appearance several times. Although various renovations were voluntarily done by Branch members, loans had to be taken out for the purchase of materials. With a $125 000.00 debt, the Branch’s members began their household work in the Alliance Hall.
Joint work and effort quickly resulted in revenues, and by January 1957, the repayment of the last loan installment was celebrated. Documents regarding the loan were symbolically burned. The loan-free building began to prosper. In 1966, new undertakings were aimed at correcting the building’s interior and exterior appearance.
A new front with an entry and a lobby was built, the kitchen was enlarged, the school obtained new classrooms, and the Polish Credit Union found its location. In 1982, a new interior design beautified this structure.
In 1999, by the initiative of President Antoni Zurka, Branch 10 was incorporated, while the corporation’s first directors were the following individuals: Antoni Zurek, Wojtek Kukielka, Andrzej Janik, Henryk Piatek, John Glowala, Henry Glowala, Frank Bieniek, and Marian Dwornikiewicz. In consideration of the future, two properties next to the Alliance Hall were purchased in 2000. In 2002, the banquet hall received a new and more elegant look, new chairs were purchased, and new wallpaper was hung.
Poles have always been proud of their heritage, so Branch 10’s members pay particular attention to the cultivation of their traditions, the nursing of their culture, and the reminder of Poland’s rich history within the young generation. For this reason, ceremonious academia take place annually in honour of the creation of the Constitution on May 3rd, as well as the Independence Holiday on November 11th.
Supervised by their teachers, Polish school students prepare a special program for these very important occasions. Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, lived in Brantford, so for the centennial of this historic event in 1974, the first great parade of all ethnic organizations took place. This parade was named “The International Village Festival.”
There is no Polish expression to define the importance of this cultural event for Brantford’s community. Some simply call it “Villages.” The Ladies’ Circle has been participating in this festival for over 30 years by preparing the best Polish dishes. With PAC Branch 10 and song and dance ensembles, they underline their unity, calling themselves “Warsaw Village.”
Week-long cultural events take place, and each nationality presents its customs, folklore and national cuisine. In this way, Brantford’s residents are able to participate in a great holiday of multiculturalism, which distinguishes Canada from among other countries. PAC Branch 10 and its Ladies’ Circle prepare themselves for this holiday in a particular way. Under the direction of Bronislaw Slawek, new songs and dances for the Torrent Song and Dance Ensemble are worked out, and characteristic folk costumes from various regions of Poland are prepared.
The Ensemble has 3 dance groups in three different age groups, from 4 to 16 years. Supervised by instructor Pawel Dubicki, the Torrent Ensemble presents beautiful Polish folkdances during the Village Festival, as well as for other events that take place in southern Ontario. Interestingly, the Ensemble took part in the International Folklore Festival in Rzeszow.
In 1990, Torrent’s members’ parents decided to create a dance ensemble for adults. The new group was called the “Vistula Song and Dance Ensemble,” rehearsals began, and many talented members quickly found their passion in song and dance. In 1991, the Vistula Ensemble performed its first dance, a Lublin dance, at the above-mentioned Festival. It soon became very popular and earned the audience’s recognition by enlivening with its performances many cultural events in Brantford, Thunder Bay, London, Oshawa, Toronto and other Canadian cities.
A great event for the Ensemble’s members was taking part in the XI International Folklore Festival in Rzeszow in 1999. From among 37 ensembles that performed there, 7 of which were from Canada, the Vistula Song and Dance Ensemble was given the honour of opening the festival with their choreographed rendition of the “polonez” dance.
The Branch’s members also have acting talent. The Amateur Theatre directed by Roza Kalisz, a member of the Ladies’ Circle, prepared many popular performances. In four years, the following plays were prepared: “Rewie piosenki i humoru,” “Wesele Podhalanskie,” “Cyganski wieczor,” “Diabel na Podhalu,” and “Solidarity.” Interestingly, the income from the first performance (also performed in Cambridge and Woodstock) was donated to the Pilgrim’s Hall in Rome.
The most beautiful annual event organized by the Branch’s members and the Ladies’ Circle is the Harvest Festival. This beautiful, old Polish tradition has survived on Canadian soil.
Beginning in 1968, this event has been permanently etched into the history of the Branch and the Ladies’ Circle. This harvest holiday, whose symbols are autumn-coloured wreaths and flower bouquets, presents Polish folklore’s entire wealth, the beauty of folkdances, and the intelligence contained in songs. The Torrent and Vistula ensembles prepare a special performance by creating occasional texts that contain specific humour and light satire. Everyone, who has been able to participate in the Brantford Harvest Festival, underlines the beauty of this event full of joy, dance and song.
This is greatly thanks to the Ladies’ Circle’s members, who watch over the sound progress of the event, as well as care for the appropriate artistic level. The great recognition of the harvest festival program in Brantford is demonstrated by regular performances at the annual Harvest Festival organized by the Ladies’ Circles’ Central Board for twenty years at Place Polonaise in Grimsby, and by invitations for the ensembles to far-off places like Thunder Bay.
Popularization of Polish culture among Canadians is an important objective for PAC Branch 10, as well as for other Polish organizations in Brantford. In 1995, a large concert took place for the closing of the Brantford Symphony Orchestra’s season and was largely sponsored by Branch 10; the concert was dedicated to Poland and to the Polish community. During the concert, the greatest works of Polish composers, like Fryderyk Chopin, Stanislaw Moniuszki and others, were played; soloist and Polish and Canadian operatic star Kinga Mitrowska and Chopin-Concert-winning (organized by The Tadeusz Kosciuszki Foundation) pianist Marion Hahn performed. The concert took place in the beautifully renewed Sanderson Centre. An exhibition of local Polish-Canadian artists’ paintings accompanied the event.
In 2007, PAC Branch 10 in Brantford celebrated its Diamond Jubilee, the 75th anniversary of its existence. A ceremonious banquet took place for this occasion and for the PAC Centennial, as an expression of homage and thanks to the most deserving Branch members, who wrote and continue to write the best pages of their history through their volunteer work of nurturing Polish traditions and habits and of popularizing Polish culture and language on Canadian soil.
PAC Branch 10’s Youth Alliance was established in 1936, four years after Branch 10 was formed. A small amateur theatre ensemble was formed and prepared several performances but, two years later, disappeared for unknown reasons. After reorganizing, the youth group activated itself and became an integral part of PAC Branch 10 in 1942.
In 1954, it established a monthly publication called How’s It Going?, which contained various kinds of accounts of cultural work, colourful illustrations, and texts for youths. The magazine became increasingly popular and soon had subscribers from Brantford, Toronto, St. Catharines, Buffalo, Windsor, Hamilton, Welland, Winnipeg, and even Germany and Korea.
The Youth Alliance also created a weekly radio program, which was broadcast on CKPC AM Radio in Brantford. The radio was sponsored by PAC Branch 10 and many Polish businesses; the radio broadcasts popularized Polish music, provided news, and advertised Polish businesses. A choir was also established, consisted of young people, and held many concerts at various official events.
Interestingly, Youth Alliance members annually visited hospitals, community centres and sick Poles during the Christmas season, bringing Christmas offerings and singing beautiful Polish carols. For many years, PAC Branch 10’s Alliance Hall was the Hall of the Youth Alliances’ Central Board, which also included Youth Alliance members from Brantford. Many sporting events, ski trips and excursions were organized. The annual Miss Polonia Pageant was very popular.
In 1976, the Polish Soccer Club was formed in Brantford as a not-for-profit sporting organization. Its founders were the following PAC Branch 10 members: Z Brzoska, J. Garbaty, S. Szuty, W. Lenda, K. Smolarz, and T. Sliwa. The club was called “White Eagles” and took on the role of running recreational and sporting activities and promoting Polish culture in Brantford. In the first year of its existence, White Eagles entered the Kitchener District Soccer League, and in 1977, the team was moved to the Hamilton District Soccer League. In 1980, the soccer sports club changed its name to “Polonia” and advanced to the II League; in 1984, it advanced to the I League.
Trained by M. Maszala and K. Maslowski, the team won first prize in the I League in 1990 and advanced to the Extra Class. Unfortunately, in 1998, several key players left the fundamental roster, and Polonia left the Extra Class. Determination and willpower guaranteed the team’s stay in the I League for only one year. Trainers J. Nagorski and Z. Wator again led the team to advancement.
In 2005, the Polonia Soccer Club began a new stage in its work. In consideration of the future, soccer activities with children began. The above-mentioned pair of trainers trains two age groups: 2-3 years and 4-7 years. In order to obtain the funds necessary to purchase players’ uniforms, to pay for the training field, and to pay registration fees, the club’s volunteers organize many fundraising events, such as picnics, dance parties, and various sports competitions. They are very grateful to their main sponsors – PAC Branch 10, Polish Brant Credit Union, and D&J Sausage Factory Inc.
Founded in 1958, the Polish Alliance (Brant) Credit Union has been an integral part of the Polish Community in Brantford. The first President was Stanislaw Bednarz. The bank began its low-scale work, mainly offering financial services to those immigrants who had difficulties communicating in English. The great development undertaking was spearheaded by Jan Slawek, who successfully managed the Credit Union for 47 years.
During the 75-year-long existence of PAC Branch 10, there were many members who helped develop this organization. Only a few of them are mentioned here because it would be impossible to name everyone who contributed to the Branch’s accomplishments. However, it would be unfair not to name at least a few people, whose achievements were considerable. One such person was Franciszek Niedziolka, a Polish Army captain who received the Virturi Militari Cross, the highest Polish military award.
For his heroic participation on the war front, he was also given the Golden Cross of Valour. After the war, he immigrated to Canada, settled in Brantford, and became an active member of PAC Branch 10. He was a teacher in the Polish school for many years. He was a very talented steelworker and artist. His sculptures adorned the Alliance Hall. Franciszek Niedziolka’s sculpture of Copernicus continues to be the main decorative element of the Polish School.
A PAC Branch 10 member who deserves special mention is Jozefina Poweska; she participated in all levels of The Polish Alliance of Canada. As a child, she was a pupil and a very gifted student in the Polish School; later, she was an active member of the Youth Alliance, Ladies’ Circle and PAC Branch 10. She filled many positions within the Branch, as well as in the Ladies’ Circles’ Central Board.
Jozefina Poweska dedicated an enormous amount of her time to the Branch by organizing several celebrations. In her youth, she attended a music school and was a member of a theatre and dance ensemble. In the following years, she organized the Theatre Circle with Roza Kalisz. They were both initiators of the Harvest Festival in Brantford, an event comparable to the one organized by the Ladies’ Circles’ Central Board in Grimsby.
For many years, she accompanied artists who prepared wide-ranging theatrical performances by playing the accordion. With her husband Jan, she danced in the Vistula Song and Dance Ensemble. She was often the master of ceremonies during various banquets and harvest festivals.
In 2004, in honour of her achievements and enormous involvement in volunteer work, she received the Tadeusz Glista Award given out by The W. Reymont Foundation. Jozia Poweska continues to be an active Branch member, who eagerly helps others with her advice by sharing her knowledge and experience in volunteer work for The Polish Alliance of Canada.
Zosia Smolarz will also forever remain in the memories of Branch 10’s members; like Jozia Poweska, she belonged to the Youth Alliance, the Ladies’ Circle and PAC Branch 10 and filled various volunteer positions, always distinguishing herself by her great involvement and activity.
The Polish Alliance of Canada’s Centennial and the 75th anniversary of PAC Branch 10 was an excellent event to underline that this organization’s members were also enlightened by the PAC Constitution’s motto: Brotherhood-Tolerance-Education. The following people have been presidents of PAC Branch 10 in Brantford:
The Ladies’ Circle’s history began in April 1934, when 16 women gathered together in hopes of uniting in joint work within an organization reserved for women. Mrs. Konefal was the initiator of this meeting. The establishment of a well-organized group was a difficult and time-consuming process; it was only five years later, thanks to the efforts of Sabina Klys, that PAC Branch 10’s Ladies’ Circle officially began its work. The Ladies’ Circle’s members, along with the Youth Alliance, have their place in the Polish Alliance of Canada Hall at 126 Albion Street, participating in all undertakings organized by the Polish community in Brantford.
In the first years of its existence, Branch 10’s Ladies’ Circle modelled the work of Branch 2’s Ladies’ Circle in Hamilton, adopting its objectives and tasks to their own needs. The most important issue was the collection of funds for its own development and to help Branch 10. Therefore, organized were dance parties, great balls, picnics, tea soirées, bazaars, and many other events that popularized Polish culture and maintained Polish traditions and customs, which were passed down to subsequent generations.
The Ladies’ Circle actively joined in all actions led by Brantford’s residents. During World War II, it worked closely with the Canadian Red Cross. Its members were responsible for sewing clothing for their close ones fighting on various fronts; they also organized campaigns called “Tag Days.”
For years, the Ladies’ Circle developed, and the number of members ready to dedicate their time and energy to the organization increased. At monthly meetings, work plans and participation in charitable actions are regularly planned; the women take care of the delicious cuisine and esthetic of the Alliance Hall. They cooperate with PAC Branch 10 by joining all above-mentioned actions from the get-go. Many members work in the Branch’s board and are involved in the organization of cultural events, while their culinary talents are well known in Brantford and elsewhere.
The Ladies’ Circle’s enormous input into the organization of annual Harvest Festivals and International Village Festivals must be mentioned. Both of these events are attended by hundreds of people annually and bring in significant financial gains.
Between 1980 and 1988, Ladies’ Circle Vice-president Roza Kalisz established a theatre club called “Amateur Circle.” The club debuted with a successful performance called “Rewia Humoru i Spiewu,” and later, a few other performances were prepared and called “Wesele Podhalanskie” and “Diabel na Podhalu,” among others. The first performance’s income was donated to the Pilgrim’s Hall in Rome.
The Ladies’ Circle warmly supports the popularization of Polish culture among young Polish-Canadians. For this reason, it sponsors the Copernicus Polish School. As an early childhood teacher, Stanislawa Krukowska dedicated 30 years of her life to working in the school. She also directed dance classes with the youngest group of dancers. The Ladies’ Circle financially supports and helps in the annual “Jaselka” exposition, prepared by the school’s students. “Oplatek” and “Jaselka” have been popular for years, and Polish organization members, parents and honoured guests participate in these events.
The Ladies’ Circle’s members take care of the food, so that the young artists can concentrate on the shows. From the establishment of the dance ensembles onwards, the Ladies’ Circle has been helping them. The women helped to make the costumes for Torrent’s dancers and, in 1983, purchased materials to sew mountaineer costumes for the boys. During this entire time, they have helped the ensembles as much as possible, both financially and voluntarily.
The Ladies’ Circle also serves youths with its support. Every year, a newly-elected Miss Polonia Brantford and a Miss Village Ambassador receive scholarships. The Ladies’ Circle’s members annually donate to PAC Branch 10’s scholarship fund at The W. Reymont Foundation.
Supporting many undertakings of Polish community groups and organizations, the Ladies’ Circle consequently helps the Alliance Hall financially as well as voluntarily. The kitchen’s equipment is regularly updated; the banquet hall’s beautiful decorations are purchased and prepared. The women help anyone in need of any kind of help, such as Polish orphans, organizations caring for sick children, or victims of worldwide cataclysms.
In 1995, the Circle participated in a concert called “In homage to Poland,” which took place in Brantford’s Sanderson Centre; later, a party for the artists and invited guests was organized. In 1998, a moving celebration dedicated to war veterans entitled “We Thank You, Veterans” took place in Brantford. The women gave a “delicious” donation of 800 homemade cabbage rolls. Help is also given to local institutions and organizations like Brantford General Hospital, The Willet Hospital, The United Way, and Operation Lift Program of Brantford.
Brantford’s Ladies’ Circle has been fortunate enough to have such wonderful women in its ranks; they have helped to dynamically develop other local organizations through their involvement, dedication and devotion. A natural change of generations, and the participation of old and young members in many joint undertakings, has cemented this group and has allowed for unity and for joint work to achieve outlined goals. During the near 70 years of its existence, the Ladies’ Circle has realized the objectives and tasks assigned at the very beginning of its work. Continuously growing needs and changing political situations worldwide have led to new measures, which have always been successful. It is impossible to name all of the women who actively participated in volunteer work for the Polish community, Poland and Canada, and who contributed to the fact that this organization is not only known in the local Brantford community.
The following women have been Ladies’ Circle presidents: J. Pieprzak, S. Klys, A. Joniec, M. Zatonska, M. Peycha, H. Szuty, A. Krzyzanowska, A. Kwasnik, M. Iwan, M. Baran, T. Soron, W. Pilat, N. Kowal, J. Kuczejko, M. Dziuba, B. Bednarczyk, J. Blaha, J. Poweska, R. Kalisz, J. Andruszkiewicz, J. Malota, B. Kukielka, J. Zolnierowicz, I. Konikowska, K. Wrona.
