In March of 1919, students at Nutana Collegiate (called Saskatoon Collegiate Institute until 1923) announced they would establish a memorial for the 29 alumni soldiers who died in the First World War. Principal Alfred J. Pyke instead suggested creating a Memorial Art Gallery that consisted exclusively of paintings by Canadian artists. They purchased one painting by a different artist for each fallen soldier.

George Agnew Reid's Golden Rod was acquired between 1921 - 1924 and dedicated to Lieutenant Clifford McConnell. Clifford attended Saskatoon Collegiate Institute from 1908 to 1912. He enlisted on 2 March 1916 and was wounded at Hill 70 near Vimy Ridge on 6 August 1917 and died as a prisoner of war, two days later.