COCHRANE— We all know what day it is, don't we? It's the day that article comes out that everyone looks forward to, of course, right? Thursday is finally here folks and it's time for another Thursday Tack and Tale from Stockmen's Memorial Foundation ready to make those eyes work.
This week I'm going to talk about Andrew Sibbald - the loved and trusted friend of the Stoney Nakoda people.
Over a century and a half ago on November 19, 1833 Andrew Alexander Sibbald was born in Ontario. A year prior to Andrew's birth his parents ventured from their native land of Edinburgh, Scotland to Canada. They would have five children together, Andrew being the first.
Growing up on the family farm, there was always plenty of work to be done by a young man, but one day the farm work got the best of Andrew as an unexpected accident caused him to lose his left hand. A few years down the road in 1871, Andrew would have a wood hand crafted, which he would cover up with a glove. Prior to losing his hand, Andrew spent many years training as a master carpenter. Although he lost his hand, it never seemed to phase him and it was said he could do more with just his right hand than many men could do with both.
From 1871 to early 1875, Andrew began to pursue the teaching profession. This was of interest to him and at the age of 42, Andrew was presented with an opportunity to teach at a school in Morleyville. He packed up his wife Elizabeth and their small children in June of 1875 and headed west. After a fair few train rides, blizzards, hungry nights, and travelling roughly ten to fifteen miles a day - resting only on Sunday's - they finally arrived in Morleyville on October 21. A strenuous trip that took them 104 days.
Andrew was the first school teacher in Alberta and turned to his early craft as a carpenter to commence the construction of many establishments in Morley. With helping hands he was able to erect a sawmill, a school, a church and other necessary buildings. Throughout the years Andrew played an instrumental part in designing and supervising the construction of buildings and bridges stretching from Calgary to Banff. He even supplied lumber from his sawmill for the first church built in Calgary. What a sight, planks upon planks floating down the Bow River from Morleyville.
Andrew believed in teaching the students at Morleyville the three R's - Reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic. He always stressed the importance of manliness, honesty, trust in God and respect for one's fellow man. His children also attended the school and learned to speak the Stoney language fluently. Because of all the contributions made by Andrew he brought a sense of integrity to the Stoney people, becoming extremely admired by many. He hung up his teaching hat in 1896, continuing to ranch with his son on Sibbald Flats which was his hayfield in Kananaskis country.
Andrew's brand was a triangle and was placed on the left hip for cattle. It was the 14th brand to be registered in at the time, what was known as the "North West Territories" on June 25 1881.
An iconic piece in Alberta's history, Andrew Sibbalds name has been honoured in more ways than one. The first Elementary school in Cochrane which opened in 1969 would bear his name as well as Sibbald Creek, Sibbald Flats and Andrew Sibbald Elementary School in southeast Calgary.
The mountains always held a special place in Andrew's heart and at the age of 70 he moved out to Banff and spent the rest of his years there. Andrew proved to be a healthy individual both mentally and physically and would be held with great respect on his 100th birthday by friends, family and the community. He passed away on July 13, 1934, and was buried by his wife back in the place where he made a name for himself - Morleyville.
