Telling a trailblazer’s story

Volunteer helps keep Nellie McClung’s legacy alive

Volunteers
By: Tiago Resko Posted: 6:00 AM CDT Monday, Aug. 17, 2026

Growing up with ties to the community of Manitou, Gillian Potvin has found great inspiration in the traces of Nellie McClung’s legacy.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Growing up with ties to the community of Manitou, Gillian Potvin has found great inspiration in the traces of Nellie McClung’s legacy.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Growing up with ties to the community of Manitou, Gillian Potvin has found great inspiration in the traces of Nellie McClung’s legacy.

The 39-year-old has spent nearly a decade channelling that inspiration back into the community by being a key part of the Nellie McClung Museum of Canada’s marketing and events planning since it opened at 55 Main St., in the southern Manitoba town in 2017.

Utilizing her skills in marketing and digital design for the museum is her way of thanking the woman who fought for the rights she has today and continuing her legacy.

Gillian Potvin, 39, attends a June 29 fundraiser for the Nellie McClung Museum of Canada at FortWhyte Alive. Potvin has been volunteering doing marketing and events planning for the museum since it opened in 2017. (Nellie McClung Museum / Supplied)

“She helped women to be identified as persons and that’s huge,” she said of the woman born in 1873 and considered one of Canada’s most prominent suffragists. “It’s easy to take for granted some of these rights we now have as women, but there would have been a big fight back in the day to change the things that have always been.”

Potvin grew up in St. Adolphe and inherited her admiration for the author and social advocate from her mom, who came from Manitou, where McClung lived most of her life. The community’s numerous tributes in the form of murals, busts and landmarks left a lasting impression on Potvin’s mother.

“Nellie McClung did such great work, and I think it’s important to share that with younger generations specifically, but also just carry on her legacy here in Manitoba, because she left such a mark in the province,” Potvin said.

McClung was a key member of the woman’s suffragist movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was one of the Famous Five who fought for woman to be recognized as persons in the British North America Act, and was the first woman to serve on the board of governors of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Potvin said finding new and creative ways to help this story reach new audiences is a big reason why she’s kept volunteering the last decade.

“I can sort of play around with different things and home in on some of my skills,” she said.

Potvin has started events at the museum like high tea, which has brought in people from Winnipeg who may not have visited otherwise.

Gillian Potvin holds a mannequin while setting up for a Hidden Attic exhibition that was held in June. (Nellie McClung Museum / Supplied)

Potvin said another favourite event was the museum’s recent June 29 fundraiser at FortWhyte Alive, where she was able to display its collection of antique 1920s dresses. The museum also does this seasonally for the Hidden Attic exhibit, which has led Potvin to discover a new love of vintage items.

“Being a part of the museum has really increased my appreciation for older things. Working with the vintage clothing we have and being able to showcase that to the public, while connecting it back to the museum and helping people engage and learn about Nellie McClung has been a really rewarding thing to work on,” she said.

During the 1920s women starting to gain more independence, which led to the fashions of the time taking a more rebellious direction, Potvin said.

“It’s been really fun to tell the story of history and women’s rights through clothing, which I don’t think is a natural connection most people make,” she said.

Last June, Potvin opened a vintage furniture company called Nellie’s Parlour, which allows people to rent vintage furniture for events. She plans to donate a portion of her revenue to the museum every year.

She said she’s excited to remain focused on the Hidden Attic exhibit which runs until the end of September, as well as a refreshed website and logo for the museum.

tiago.resko@winnipegfreepress.com

Volunteer opportunities

The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to wfp.to/volunteers or call 204-477-5180.

Prairie Strides is looking for volunteers for Horse Leading and Side Walking roles in their Fall 2026 session. Volunteers must be able to commit to a 12-week program, assisting with classes on Monday and/or Wednesday evenings at West Wind Stables near Winnipeg. Leaders should have horse experience and arrive early to groom and lead horses. Sidewalkers provide support and encouragement to riders. Both positions require the ability to walk and jog in sand for 60 minutes. Volunteers will gain rewarding experience working with children of varied abilities. Training and orientation are provided before the program starts. Apply online: http://wfp.to/iRl or by phone: 204-995-7932. Deadline is Aug. 26.

Independent Living Resource Centre is seeking a friendly, outgoing office volunteer to assist with filing, organizing, data entry, and front desk shifts. Candidates should have basic computer skills and be adaptable and willing to take initiative. Hours are flexible and during the daytime office hours. Apply by email: nataliep@ilrc.mb.ca or by calling 204-947-0194. Deadline is Dec. 1.

Urban Wagons is looking for volunteers to assist with distributing clothing, food, and snacks to unsheltered individuals in downtown Winnipeg. Every Monday at 6 p.m., volunteers gather behind the Tim Hortons at Fort and Graham to load wagons with essentials. They then spend 1.5 to two hours walking and distributing these items. Regular volunteers are especially welcome, but monthly or occasional help is also appreciated. Join them to make a difference in the community. Apply by email: llesliecole@gmail.com. Deadline is Nov. 20.

The Winnipeg Singers are looking for people with experience in planning and carrying out fundraising activities to help on their committee. This is a professional choir that fundraises to help with operating costs and with international touring. Strong communication skills are important. Most fundraising events occur on weekends or evenings, but the planning could take place remotely and whenever volunteers are available. Apply by email: info@winnipegsingers.com. Deadline is Sept. 1.

The Marlene Street Community Resource Centre needs a talented henna artist to volunteer at its Unity in the Community barbecue, expected to welcome approximately 150 attendees. The artist will apply small, simple designs in a safe and timely manner, manage participant flow, and maintain a tidy workstation. Candidates should have henna application experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to work in a busy outdoor environment. Apply by email: mscrc123@outlook.com. Deadline is Aug. 21.

The Manitoba Genealogical Society is looking for volunteer family history researchers to help with research requests and support their genealogy community. A volunteer genealogical researcher locates records across archives, databases, and public documents, critically evaluates source reliability, maintains organized research logs, and presents findings clearly as family trees, reports, or narratives. Apply by email at volunteer-recruitment@mbgenealogy.com. Deadline is Aug. 21.

Theatre Projects Manitoba is currently seeking passionate, self-motivated members with experience in finance, board governance, and marketing; but they encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply. Board members are expected to attend meetings, review financial reports, participate in strategic planning, and maintain confidentiality. They play an active role in fundraising, community engagement, and enhancing TPM’s public image. Board meetings are held every one to two months and typically last one hour, with flexible scheduling and remote volunteering options available. Apply by email: board@theatreprojectsmanitoba.ca. Deadline is Oct. 1.

The Manitoba Fibre Festival is looking for volunteers to help with setup, greeting guests, and supporting vendors and workshops at Red River Exhibition Hall from Sept. 10-12. Head to http://wfp.to/iMy and fill out the short online form to apply. Deadline is Sept. 1.

The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Apply at wfp.to/0pE, volunteer@redcross.ca or 1-844-818-2155.