Dusty Miller (mayor)

Last updated
Eleanor Joan 'Dusty' Miller
3rd Mayor of Thunder Bay
In office
1978–1980
Preceded by Walter Assef
Succeeded by Walter Assef

EleanorJoan 'Dusty' Miller, OOnt (August 3, 1929 - February 14, 2012) [1] was a Canadian politician who served as the first female mayor of Thunder Bay, Ontario from 1978 until the end of 1980 when she was defeated. Miller was married to Lakehead University history professor Tom Miller. The couple was very active in the University community, and they along with other community members pushed for the school to offer degrees. [2] Before her political activity, she was active in community theater. She is a member of the Order of Ontario. She died on February 14, 2012.

Order of Ontario order

The Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Lieutenant Governor-in-Council and is intended to honour current or former Ontario residents for conspicuous achievements in any field.

Canadians citizens of Canada

Canadians are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, several of these connections exist and are collectively the source of their being Canadian.

Thunder Bay City in Ontario, Canada

Thunder Bay is a city in, and the seat of, Thunder Bay District, Ontario, Canada. It is the most populous municipality in Northwestern Ontario with a population of 107,909 as of the Canada 2016 Census, and the second most populous in Northern Ontario after Greater Sudbury. Located on Lake Superior, the census metropolitan area of Thunder Bay has a population of 121,621, and consists of the city of Thunder Bay, the municipalities of Oliver Paipoonge and Neebing, the townships of Shuniah, Conmee, O'Connor, and Gillies, and the Fort William First Nation.

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Early life

Miller was born on August 3, 1929 to parents William and Katherine Faircloth in Fort William Ontario. She was the eldest of seven children. Miller attended Peterborough Normal School for teacher training and taught in Port Hope Ontario for two years. In 1949 she married Tom Miller, and the couple moved to London England. They moved so Tom could attend the London School of Economics for the completion of his doctorate in history. Dusty Miller during this time worked as a school teacher at later at Canada House as a receptionist. [3]

They returned to the Thunder Bay region in 1954 and Miller became interested in the community's local theater scene. [3] She became the Artistic Director of the Port Arthur Community Players (later the Cambrian Players) and held the position for nine years and directed many musicals and plays. Miller assisted Burton Lancaster in establishing Magnus Theater. [1] She served as the theater's manager for the opening season in 1972-1973. [3] She also taught theater in high schools and taught various fine arts courses at Lakehead University and Confederation College. [3] Miller and her husband supported Lakehead University in becoming “a full-degree course university” in the first half of the 60's. [2] She then received a bachelor's degree in Philosophy in 1969 from Lakehead University and won the Chancellor's medal. [4] [5] From 1988 to 1998, Miller was on the Lakehead University Board of Governors. Miller was a founding member of the Lakehead Council for the Arts and Theater Ontario. [5] [4]

Magnus Theatre

The Magnus Theatre - The Dr. S. Penny Petrone Centre for the Performing Arts in Thunder Bay, Ontario was founded in 1971 and is Northwestern Ontario's professional theatre company.

Confederation College

Confederation College is a provincially funded college of applied arts and technology in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1967, and has campuses in Dryden, Fort Frances, Geraldton, Kenora, Marathon, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake and Wawa. The college serves an area of approximately 550,000 square kilometres. It is the only public college servicing Northwestern Ontario.

Political career

Dusty Miller was elected as an Alderman in 1974. [1] She served on multiple committees and was the chair of Thunder Bay's first Arts and Heritage committee. [1] Miller was elected mayor in 1978 and served until 1980. She was the first female mayor after the amalgamation of Thunder Bay. [1] After taking some time away from politics, she returned as a City Councillor in 1985 and served until 1991. [3] Some of the projects Miller worked on during her political career include Marina Park, the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, and the Neebing - McIntyre Floodway. [3]

Marina Park (Thunder Bay)

Marina Park is a local waterfront park and marina located on the shores of Lake Superior in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The park is located in the city's north end near the downtown north core. Aside from pleasure craft docks and a fueling facility, the park also has walking paths and a boardwalk, playground equipment, picnic tables, a Mariner's Monument and the historic CN Rail Station.

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

The Thunder Bay Community Auditorium is a 1,511 seat performance arts centre, located in Thunder Bay, Ontario. It opened on October 16, 1985 and is home to the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. The Community Auditorium hosts 150,000 patrons annually,.

Awards

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Dusty Miller". www.thunderbay.ca. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  2. 1 2 3 "2004 | Lakehead University". Lakehead University. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Legacy.com" . Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Nor'Wester Magazine Summer 1990 Vol.7 No.2 · Archives & Digital Collections at Lakehead University Library". digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  5. 1 2 3 "2004 Convocation Program · Archives & Digital Collections at Lakehead University Library". digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
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