Memorable Manitobans: Shirley B. Olson (c1944-1990)

Lawyer, Indigenous rights activist.

Born on the Peguis First Nation around 1944, daughter of Gordon Olson and Mable Agnes Olson, she was educated at residential schools in Brandon, Birtle, and Dauphin; University of Manitoba (where she studied Arts), and University of British Columbia (where she studied Law). She was called to the Manitoba Bar in 1986 and specialized in family law. Always concerned for Indigenous rights, she became Executive Director of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in 1989. She collapsed during a demonstration on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislature and died the following day at the St. Boniface Hospital, on 11 September 1990.

See also:

Woodsworth House Honours Shirley Olson and Phil Fontaine by Karen Botting and Ruth Swan
Manitoba History, Number 22, Autumn 1991

Sources:

“Work-related stress linked to death of native activist,” Winnipeg Free Press, 12 September 1990, page 4.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 13 September 1990, page 43.

Dictionary of Manitoba Biography by John M. “Jack” Bumsted, Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press, 1999.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 27 June 2022

Memorable Manitobans This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations. Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text: Custom Search Browse surnames beginning with: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z Browse deaths occurring in: 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Send corrections and additions to this page to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements Help us keep history alive!