“Peter the Great” Born in Helsinki, Finland, Peter Nygård, with his parents and family, immigrated to Deloraine, Manitoba, to escape the ever-impending post World War II threat of communism in his native land. Called “... the greatest designer [of fashion] in North America” by Ed Bodde, General Manager, Saks Fifth Avenue, this "Prince of Fashion” and “King of Polyester” is, today, Founder and Chairman of Nygård International, Canada’s largest manufacturer of women's apparel. With manufacturing facilities in Winnipeg, research and design quarters in New York, Montreal, Europe, and Hong Kong, a production and distribution centre in Los Angeles, and world headquarters in Toronto, “Peter the Great,” a member of the 1976 Canadian Olympic Yachting Team, was awarded Canada's 125th Anniversary Medal in 1992. [Photo, courtesy Lance Thomson/Manitoba Business]

Furthering Rights of Canadian Artists Paul Siren traces his roots to Finnish-born parents who settled early in the 20th century near present-day Thunder Bayin northwestern Ontario. Born, 1917, in a two-room log house, Paul Siren was largely self-educated. Active in the labour movement, first, with the United Automobile Workers Union (1942-1960), then with ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) when he was appointed General Secretary, 1965, with responsibility for its administration and the recognition of collective bargaining agreements. When he retired in 1986 the Hon. Pierre Juneau, right, President of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, congratulated Paul Siren, left, for his 21 years of service to further the rights of Canadian artists as both a mentor and as advisor. One of Paul Siren’s most outstanding contributions was his instrumental work on the Status of the Artist. Co-Chair with Gratien Gélinas on the Federal Task Force on the Status of the Artist, 1986, and, until 1991, Co-Chair on the subsequent Canadian Advisory Committee on the Status of the Artist, this committee promoted and strengthened the position of professional artists in Canada. Paul Siren was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada, 1987, and received a "Nellie” from ACTRA, 1985, and Diplôme d’Honneur, 1992. [Photo, courtesy Paul Siren]