The fonds consists of textual records which include correspondence, newspaper and magazine articles and typed and handwritten notes. The correspondence is primarily letters to and from Ruth Gorman and is mainly related to her time working with Aboriginals for them to obtain the right to vote in Canada and her involvement with the Western Canada Concept party. Newspaper and magazine articles topics include, among many things, recipes, Aboriginal issues, constitution issues and prominent women. The majority of Ruth Gorman's typed and handwritten notes are related to her book about John Laurie, however, she does have notes about My Golden West, her cookbook, the Western Canada Concept party and the Local Council of Women. The audio materials include recordings of speeches given by Ruth Gorman to numerous groups in the province of Alberta mainly for the Western Canada Concept party. Graphic materials include photographs, negatives and transparencies, the majority of which pertain to the publishing of My Golden West magazine. Some photographs pertain to Ruth Gorman's personal life, her time on the Local Council of Women and her work with John Laurie. Artifacts in the fonds include plaques and trophies belonging to Ruth Gorman and the electronic records are mostly draft copies of Behind the Man: John Laurie, Ruth Gorman and the Indian Vote. The fonds consists of six series: My Golden West, 1912-1991; John Laurie, 1861-2006; Cookbook, 1929-1997; Western Canada Concept, 1949-1988; Personal Records, 1833-1999; and Local Council of Women Calgary Branch, 1833-1995.