The poet Andrew Suknaski was born in 1942 in a homestead near Wood Mountain, Saskatchewan. His mother was Polish and his father Ukrainian; English was not his first language. Suknaski attended Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia as well as the Kootenay School of Fine Arts and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts School of Art & Design. He worked a series of menial jobs across the Prairies and in 1976 referred to himself as a ‘migrantworker.’
Much of Suknaski's early poetry is self published in pamphlet form by his own Elfin Plot Press. The work is visual in nature: concrete poems based on East Asian characters and collage. His emergence as a major voice in Western Canadian poetry can be traced to the publication of Wood
Mountain Poems , by MacMillan Canada in 1976. This ground breaking work was followed by The Ghosts
Call You Poor , in 1978. Suknaski's first two books have a mythological feel, with references to Sitting Bull, Chinese coolies in British Columbia and the Wood Mountain of his boyhood. That same year Suknaski was the topic of “Wood Mountain Poems,” a film by Harvey Spak for the National Film Board of Canada. The following year Suknaski published East of Myloona, a book about the people of the North. Over the next six years Suknaski produced three more books of poetry and an anthology. In the
Name of Narid , 1981, tells of political suffering in other countries. The following year a volume of selected poems, The Land
They Gave Away , was published as well as Montage to
an Interstellar Cry .
At the beginning of the 1980s, Suknaski embarked on his most ambitious project to date, a work entitled “Celestial Mechanics”. The first phase of the project resulted in Montage to
an Interstellar Cry . The second portion was entitled “Divining the West,” and never reached fruition. The third installment of the work resultedin the publication of Silk Trail in 1985, while the fourth component, “Ussuri Line,” remains unfinished. He also wrote a history of the Roumanians in Western Canada which was never published. Suknaski did not limit himself to poetry; he worked as a researcher on a number of National Film Board projects like “Grain” and “The Disinherited.” Poor health has prevented him from writing in recentyears.
In 1987, having wearied of transporting his personal papers during his frequent moves, Suknaski burned twenty years of records in a bonfire in his backyard. What remains of his papers encompasses the years 1977-1992. The collection comprises 15 linear feet. There are drafts of many of his published works as well as correspondence with literary figures like Eli Mandel, John Newlove, Robert Kroetsch and Kristjana Gunnars. The fond contains many unpublished poems and several drafts of the films that Suknaski worked on for the National Film Board And C.B.C. Perhaps the most valuable portion of the collection are the unpublished manuscripts that Suknaski worked on during the 1980s, including Divining
the West , Ussuri
Line and In Search
of Parinti/History of the Roumanians in
Western Canada .
The Suknaski fonds arrived at the University of Manitoba in very poor condition. The task of putting it into some semblance of order has been daunting. The material was separated into correspondence, published material & unpublished material.
There are no restrictions onthis material.
In-Depth Correspondence 1949-1992
BoxFolder
21Access Network - Alberta Educational Communications correspondence, 1982-1987.
2Alberta Foundation for the Literary Arts, 1986.
3Amnesty International, 1981.
4Arnason, David, correspondence, 1982.
5Balan, Anna & Jars, correspondence, 1978-1988.
7Barclay, Byrna, correspondence, 1977.
8Bartlett, Jim, correspondence, 1977-1984.
9Belarus Equipment of Canada - Re: Tutoring in Russian, 1981-1982.
10Book reviews by Suknaski, 1974.
11999 Bookshop New York orders, 1981.
12Boyce, Pleuke, correspondence Re: reading in British Columbia, 1986-1987.
13Brinton, Jan, correspondence, 1977-1989.
14Burrs, Mick, correspondence, 1986-1992.
15Canada Council, 1976-1983.
16Canada Council 1984-1992.
17C.B.C. correspondence, 1976-1990.
18 Canadian Literature
correspondence, 1977-1988.
19Christensen, Peter, correspondence, 1978-1989.
20Commcept Publishing Ltd., 1977.
21Conference call letter to several friends, 1985.
22Coteau Books Ltd. correspondence, 1985-1988.
23Crusz, Rienzi, correspondence, 1983-1985.
24Cuelho, Art, correspondence, 1983-1984.
25Cypress Hills Summer School Course, 1984.
26Demjanew, Sophie, (Suknaski's sister) correspondence, includes letters from nieces, 1949-1991.
BoxFolder
31Di Michaele, Mary, correspondence, 1985-1987.
2Donna _ correspondence, 1985.
3Doyle, Erin, correspondence, 1987-1990.
4Eastern European Programs Division for the U.S.S.R. correspondence, 1985.
5Ethnicity & Identity coconference, Author's Literary Passport, [ca.1982].
6Gunnars, Kristjana, correspondence, 1983-1991.
7 Harper's
Magazine correspondence, 1979-1980.
8Harras, Tony, correspondence, 1989.
9Health Problems, 1988-1991.
10Hillis, Doris, correspondence, 1985-1988.
11Hylund, Gary correspondence, 1977-1989.
12"Indeo - Wood Mountain Stampede - Intertribal" - agreement, 1990
13Ivanocko, Bob & Liz, correspondence, 1981-1991.
14Kroetsch, Robert, correspondence, 1979-1986.
15Kuchmij, Halya, correspondence, 1980.
16Lane, Patrick, correspondence, 1981.
17Lakir, Vicki, correspondence, 1985-1988.
18Laurence, Margaret, correspondence to, 1977-1986.
19Lee, David, correspondence, 1983-1990.
20Lee, Dennis correspondence, 1978-1985.
21Lee, Pauline, (sister), 1983-1992.
22Letters to the editor 1969-1982.
23Literary agent correspondence, 1989.
24Little, Herbert, correspondence, 1989-1990.
25Livesay, Dorothy, correspondence to, 1977.
26Longview, Ian, correspondence, 1985.
27 Lunatic
Gazette , correspondence, 1982.
28MacMillan of Canada, 1977-1981.
BoxFolder
41Mandel, Eli, correspondence, 1978-1991.
2Marty, Sid & Myrna, correspondence, 1977-1983.
3Marty, Sid & Myrna, correspondence, 1984-1992.
4McKinnon, Barry, correspondence, 1977-1989.
5Melnyk, George, correspondence, 1977-1988.
6Mende, Gunter, correspondence, 1981-1990.
7Mecredi, April, correspondence, 1978.
8Morgan, Dawn, correspondence, 1982-1989.
9Morrissette, George & Hunter, Catherine, correspondence, 1980-1991.
10 Mum's the Word , submissions for a proposed book of poem recipes, 1989.
11National Film Board correspondence, 1977-1985.
12Newlove, John correspondence, 1982-1988.
13NeWest Press correspondence, 1982-1985.
14Third Annual NeWest Art Forum, 1982.
15Noble, Charles correspondence, 1984-1985.
16Olito, Mike, correspondence, 1979-1985.
BoxFolder
51Olito, Mike, correspondence, 1986-1991.
2Permission to copy correspondence, 1977-1991.
3Personal poverty, 1991-1992.
4Piffer, Phil, correspondence, 1982-1991.
5 Prairie Fire , correspondence, 1984-1987.
6Purdy, Al, correspondence, 1977-1985.
7Reading tours, 1978-1990.
8Reid, Monty, correspondence, 1984-1985.
10Sapergia, Barbara, correspondence, 1980.
11Saskatchewan Arts Board, 1987-1990.
12Saskatchewan Talent Program, 1988-1989.
13Saskatchewan Writers' Guild, 1983-1991.
14Social Services Moose Jaw, 1988.
15Soparlo, Lee & Marie, correspondence, 1977-1991.
16Sorestad, Glen, correspondence, 1977-1984.
17Sorestad, Glen, correspondence, 1985-1991.
BoxFolder
61Spak, Harvey, correspondence, 1977-1983.
2Spak, Harvey, correspondence, 1984-1991.
3Sproxton, Birk, correspondence, 1977-1985.
4Stapleton, Steve, correspondence, 1983-1985.
5Stephan, (Scobie ?), correspondence, 1980.
6Suknaski, Julia (mother), coreespondence, 1964-1978.
7Suknaski, Louis, correspondence, 1987.
8Suknaski, Michael, correspondence, 1987.
9Suknaski's proposed trip to Ukraine, 1990.
10Taras Shevchenko Foundation, 1985-1986.
11Teichut, Valcorrespondence, 1983-1985.
12Thistledown Press Ltd. correspondence, 1983-1991.
13Turnstone Press Ltd. correspondence, 1983-1990.
14Tyson, Ian, correspondence, 1985.
16Ukrainian Opera Association correspondence, 1987.
17Ukrainian Poetry Symposium, Ottawa, 1985.
18University of Manitoba, 1989.
19Ursell, Geoffrey, correspondence, 1977-1987.
20"Working Dreamer", Wood Mountain, Saskatchewan, C.B.C. Achievers Show Collaboration with Pat Cook, 1980-1982.
21Writer-In-Residence at St. John's College, 1977-1978.
22Wolfenden, Lianne, correspondence, 1970-1975.
Published Manuscripts 1971-1985
BoxFolder
111 In Mind or Xcrossroads
& Mythologies , Cover for Anak Press, 1971.
2 Roseway in the
East , Ganglia Press, 1972.
3"The Nightwatchman", Anak Press, 1972.
4Suicide Notes Book One, Sun Dog Press, 1973.
5 The Shadow of
Sound , Andrei Voznesensky poetry translated by Suknaski, 1975.
6Review of Shadow of
Sounds , 1976.
7 Sea Gull - God's Bikini
- Suknaski's translations of Voznesensky, Bleointment Press, 1976.
8Reviews of Suknaski's work, 1976.
9 Wood Mountain
Poems , Anak Press, 1973.
10 Wood Mountain
Poems , original manuscript, 1972.
11 Wood Mountain
Poems , edited version, 1973.
12 Wood Mountain
Poems , 1973.
13 Wood Mountain
Poems , Black Mountain version, 1973.
14Contract for Wood Mountain
Poems with MacMillan Canada, 1975.
15 Wood Mountain
Poems , draft forMacMillan.
BoxFolder
121 Wood Mountain
Poems , edited by Al Purdy, 1975.
2Wood Mountain Poems, printer's proofs, 1976.
3Reviews of Wood Mountain
Poems , 1976-1977.
4 Octomi , Thistledown Press, 1976.
5Reviews of Octomi, 1976-1977.
6 Almighty Voice , Dreadnaught Press, 1977.
7 Two for Father , (with George Morrisette), Sundog Press, 1978.
8 The Ghosts Call You
Poor , original manuscript MacMillan Canada, 1977.
9 The Ghosts Call You
Poor , MacMillan's selections, 1977.
10 The Ghosts Call You
Poor , final edit notes, 1977.
BoxFolder
131 The Ghosts Call You
Poor , corrections, 1977.
2 The Ghosts Call You
Poor , master version, 1978.
3 The Ghosts Call You
Poor , galleys, 1978.
4Reviews of The Ghosts Call You
Poor , 1978.
6 East of
Myloona , Thistledown Press, Glen Sorestad's edited version, 1979.
7 East of
Myloona , proofing version, 1979.
8 East of
Myloona , corrected version, 1979.
9 East of Myloona
Reviews, 1981.
10 In the Name of
Narid , early draft, 1980.
11 In the Name of
Narid , correspondence, 1980.
12 In the Name of
Narid , second last version edited by Dennis Cooley, 1980.
BoxFolder
141 In the Name of
Narid , final draft, 1980.
2 In the Name of
Narid , first corrected galleys, 1981.
3 In the Name of
Narid , second corrected galleys, 1981.
4 In the Name of
Narid reviews, 1981.
5 Montage for
Interstellar Cry , Turnstone Press,3rd & 5th versions, 1979.
6 Montage for
Interstellar Cry , 1980.
7 Montage for
Interstellar Cry , notes, 1980.
8 Montage for
Interstellar Cry , 1981.
9Montage for Interstellar Cry, draft & contract 1982.
10 Montage for
Interstellar Cry , reviews, 1984.
BoxFolder
151 The Land They Gave
Away , NeWest Press, drafts, 1982.
2 The Land They Gave
Away , correspondence & contract, 1982.
3The Land
They Gave Away, galleys, 1982.
4 The Land They Gave
Away , galleys & some drafts, 1982.
5 The Land They Gave
Away , reviews, 1984-1986.
6 Silk Trail , Blewointment Press, Winnipeg version, 1983.
7 Silk Trail , contract, 1984.
8 Silk Trail , version with correspondence with editor David Lee, autumn 1984.
9 Silk Trail , John Newlove edited version, 1985.
10 Silk Trail , galleys, 1985.
Unpublished Poetry & Early Drafts of Published Works 1973-1990
25"Fourteen Ways of Looking at Christmas", 1977.
26"Blackfoot Crossing, Reliving Treaty 7", 1977.
27"The Nursing Home", 1978.
28"Dresden/ Photo by Sovfot", Ft. San writers' retreat, 1979.
2"For the Love of Coyote Lady", 1980.
3"What is Remembered", 1980.
4Poem written while in Regina hospital, 1980.
5Post-operation poems, 1980.
7"Galloping Cosmic Chef", 1981.
9Poetry fall/winter, 1982.
10Poems & notes Winnipeg, 1982-1984.
11"Transylvanian Myth/Carpathian Reality", [ca.1982].
BoxFolder
231"Take Seven", [ca.1982].
5"Louis Morin", [ca.1982].
6"The Coke Bottle Picker", [ca.1982].
7"Indian Summer", Gunnars/Suknaski collaboration, 1984.
8"Racists of the Soul", 1985.
9"Celestial Mechanics & Worlds in Reverse", 1985.
10"Beyond Tradition", 1985.
11"Rambler at the Old Post", 1985.
13"One for Myrna Marty & Metonymy", 1985.
14"A Very Ordinary Life", 1985.
17"Wood Mountain Revisited", 1987.
18"Haiku on Being a Poet", 1987.
3Poems submitted to West Magazine , 1990.
6"Along the Road to the Prairie", 1990.
7Christ Has Arisen, Mikhail Sergeyevich!", 1990.
8"Gus Lecaine Telling About...", 1990.
Journals Edited or Contributed To 1969-[ca.1990]
BoxFolder
251 Elfin Plots , nos. 1-4, 1969-1970.
2 Elfin Plots , nos. 5-11, 1970-1971.
3 Warm Poets for Cold
Nights , poetry sheets, nos. 3-8, 1975-1977.
4 Sun Dog , Nos. 4-5, 1975-1976.
5 Three Legged
Coyote , Peace Issue, 1982.
6 Three Legged
Coyote , Process Issue, 1985.
7 Wood Mountain
Review , 1985.
8 Grain Elevator , Charles Konowal, National Film Board, 1981.
9 Looking for
Stephansson , National Film Board proposal with Harvey Spak, 1981.
BoxFolder
261 Pamiat/Memory of
Ancestors , National Film Board project with Harvey Spak, 1981.
2 Pamiat/Memory of
Ancestors , 1981.
3 Passing the
Shadows , film with Charles Konowal, 1982.
4 Passing the
Shadows , 1982.
5 Passing the
Shadows , 1983.
6 Passing the
Shadows , correspondence, 1983.
7 The
Disinherited , film with Harvey Spak about the Regina Riot for the National Film Board, 1985.
8 The
Disinherited , 1985.
BoxFolder
271 The
Disinherited , 1985.
2 The
Disinherited , heavily edited version May 1985.
3 The
Disinherited , third draft, 1985.
4 The
Disinherited , edited version, 1985.
5 The
Disinherited , final version, 1985.
BoxFolder
281 Gypsy Winds - Suknaski
Family Reunion , submission to C.B.C. literary competition, 1983.
4 Wood Mountain
Intertribal , submission to the C.B.C about the Wood Mountain Stampede, 1990.
