An Inventory of her Papers & Diaries at the University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections

Collection Summary

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Biography of Susan Goyer

Residing in the Rural Municipality of Ritchot, located immediately south of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Susan Goyer was a volunteer, grassroots organizer and victim’s advocate during the 1997 Red River flood, often referred to as the “Flood of the Century”. Active as a volunteer during the flood, Goyer continued to contribute to flood relief after the waters had receded, serving as the executive coordinator of the North Ritchot Restoration Committee. As the municipal, federal and provincial governments were largely unprepared for a disaster of the magnitude that struck the Red River Valley, Goyer was quickly required to fill a number of positions, though she too had been rendered homeless by the flood. In her role as executive coordinator Goyer organized fundraising and relief efforts, while also acting as an intermediary between the people of her municipality and various governmental and non-governmental agencies. She also worked as a re-entry coordinator, assisting families with moving back to their flood damaged properties and seeking financial compensation.Goyer and the N.R.C.C. were instrumental in obtaining an independent review of Manitoba’s flood preparedness and the government’s response to the 1997 flood. As well, they were succeessful in organizing and holding a series of community conversations for residents in the R.M.of Ritchot to voice their concerns about flood preparedness, the government’s handling of the flood and have a chance to discuss and plan the municipality's futuredevelopment.

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Scope and Contents of the Collection

The fonds is divided into seven series: 1) Susan Goyer’s correspondence, notes and reports 2) Reports and minutes of the North Ritchot Restoration Committtee & North Ritchot Action Committee, community organization projects, and assistance and relief efforts in the R.M. of Ritchot 3) Government publications 4) Reports by the International Joint Commission 5) Newspaper clippings and magazine articles 6) Other research materials &notes transferred from binders 7) Video cassettes, photos, audio CDs

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Restrictions on Access

Box 2, folder 8 contains personal information and is thereforerestricted.

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Restrictions on Use

Box 2 Folder 8 contains personal information and is thereforeresticted.

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Custodial History

The fonds was donated to the University of Manitoba in 2008.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

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