Series consists of papers relating to the conferences of the Synod of Bishops, primarily in Canada, to discuss issues arising from larger discussions at Vatican II level. Metropolitan Maxim's papers were generated to a great extent at the gatherings of the Western Canada Bishops' meetings, though some of the material covers meetings of bishops from across Canada, from the US, and other countries. The material is correspondence, meeting agendas, minutes, and reports from the Western Canadian Conference of Bishops, the Canadian Catholic Conference of Bishops, and Synods Episcoporum.

The fonds is separated into 13 series. They include: C.V., articles, MSS chapters ; book reviews, University of Manitoba Committees, University of Manitoba material, research grants, manuscript assessments, conferences, publisher's correspondence, correspondence, student correspondence, Royal Society of Canada , research material, photographs & electronic records.

The fonds is kept in the donor’s original order & constitutes one series. The second accrual A.11-17 is again maintained in the donor’s order. However, the material pertaining to her aunt Elizabeth Brown constitutes a second series. The third accrual A.11-28 contains five series. They include HBC fur trade research material, correspondence, student files & administration, First Nations and Metis research & course material, and oversized material.

The fonds consists of Dr. Joan Finkle de Peña’s manuscripts, articles and lecture notes pertaining to her academic teaching career at St. Louis University, and the University of Manitoba. The fonds also consists of material pertaining to her research in Puerto Rico when she was a graduate student, as well as a her academic research work with her studies of the Inuit of the North, during her tenure as a faculty member with the Department of Anthropology, University of Manitoba. In addition there are textual records pertaining to her involvement with various national and international professional associations, including the Sigma Xi Scientific Society. The collection also contains a total of 4624 photographs, 90 negatives, and 1,125 photo slides.

This collection contains textual records relating to various issues and information on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Two-Spirit and Queer history including: Comprehensive Works, Bibliography, Reference; Gay/Lesbian Life, Lifestyles & Concerns; Literature & Language; Visual & Performing Arts; History & Gay/Lesbian Liberation Movement; Behavioral Sciences; Social Sciences; Philosophy & Religion; Physical & Natural Sciences; and AIDS-Related Information. It also includes an extensive moving image and sound collection, including oral histories and episodes of the cable access program "Coming Out."