The Grand Council of the Crees says the Grande Alliance, a $4.7 billion economic development project announced Monday, is the Cree vision of development and represents a 'clear break from the past colonial and paternalistic government policies' that kept their communities undeveloped.
When asked about my favourite experience in Manitoba, York Factory was it.I likened it to being in a National Geographic documentary, and it really wasn’t that far off.
Members of the Lougheed family and friends in a car, likely in the foothills of Alberta.
We have a new National Endowment for the Humanities app under development, not even in the Alpha stages of coding yet, but I wanted to share the prototype progression of the main interface. This app is being designed specifically for tablet computers (Apple and Android), and our idea was to use a historic map of Fort Vancouver to enable users to access content about the fort by simply touching different parts of the map. Because of the perspective needed, though, and the details to be included, no historic map would work, so we brought in star multimedia designer Marsha Matta to build a new map, based on historical styles, to serve this purpose. Here are some of the examples we gave her: And here is the amazing interface she has been building: The final version will be available in the app, when it is released. So if you want to see the last few stages of development, check back.
HARDISTY, ISABELLA CLARK (Clarke) (Lougheed, Lady Lougheed), society leader and patron of the arts; b. probably 18 April 1861 in Fort Resolution, N.W.T., daughter of William Lucas Hardisty* and Mary Anne (Ann) Allen; niece of Richard Charles Hardisty* and, by marriage, of Donald Alexander Smith*; m. 16 Sept. 1884 James Alexander Lougheed* in Fort Calgary (Calgary), and they had four sons and two daughters; grandmother of Alberta premier Edgar Peter Lougheed*; d. 13 March 1936 in Calgary.
April 5 – June 30, 2024 Restore & Revive: Featuring 10 Alberta Old Buildings is an exploration of Alberta’s historical buildings through a new lens. Using the themes of restoration and built heritage preservation, this exhibition features Aeris Osborne’s 10 Alberta Old Buildings painting series. It highlights connections between people, places, and the past to emphasize the importance…
With B.C. day coming soon ( the August long weekend) I have sought to put together some rather interesting facts ( 10 to be precise) on our early history and how we came to be what we are today (as well as some extra trivia) . So sit down for 5 minutes and read about where we came from and why we are so fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet! #1 The Pacific Northwest Native Peoples Due largely to the mild temperature and abundant food supply, the Pacific North West was home to one of “the most rich and complex Native Societies”. Unlike many other Native groups (including other B.C. Native groups like the Salish and Kutenai), the Pacific North West Indians practiced private ownership of property and even social classes. They also produced professional and brilliant artists who were taught by the masters down through the years. #2 Captain George Vancouver In 1778 Captain Cook , after recently discovering Hawaii, was sent by Britain ( in the midst of the American Revolution no less) to explore the west coast of Canada. Captain Cook and his crew were warmly greeted by the Mowachaht people on the west coast of Vancouver Island and, asking them what they called the place, they misunderstood each other and he named it “Nootka” . They traded for otter pelts that eventually made their way to China. Captain George Vancouver would later come along as well thus the name “Vancouver Island”. Captain George Vancouver #3 Spain & Russia Too Have you ever wondered where B.C. got such Spanish sounding place names as “Juan de Fuca” , “Cortes” and “Quadra” ? What many people don’t realize is that the Spanish were the first Europeans to explore the Pacific North West (The Russians had already laid claim to Alaska) – in fact they had claimed the entire Pacific Ocean for themselves! Upon hearing of Cook’s ventures they sent their own entourage to Vancouver Island and captured many British ships who had brought Chinese workers over. In fact, at one point there were “ British prisoners, Spanish swashbucklers, Chinese workers…Natives (and) American traders …all jostling for position on a remote cove on the far side of Vancouver Island.” And to add to all that, Juan de Fuca was actually a Greek sailing under Spain whose real name was Ioánnis Phokás. Juan de Fuca (Actually a Greek named Ioánnis Phokás who sailed under Spain) #4 The Columbia River and District We all know where the “British” part of B.C.’s name came from but it was the Columbia River and its massive basin that lends its name to the other half of “B.C.”. At the time the entire territory from present day California to Alaska was referred to as "The Columbia District" by the Hudson's Bay Company and “The Oregon Territory” by the Americans. It was coveted by both the Americans and the British - largely because of the Columbia River trade route that began in the interior of the territory and flowed all the way into the Pacific. Two Scotsmen and a Welshmen , all intrepid explorers opened up the Interior of B.C. – Alexander Mackenzie, Simon Fraser and David Thompson. You will recognize their names by the mighty rivers they discovered or had named after them. The most famous “graffiti” in Canadian history was etched into a boulder by Mackenzie just before he took off from the Bella Bella territory “Alex Mackenzie, from Canada, by land, 22nd July 1793”. Another interesting note on the Columbia River – it has a total of 14 dams built on it and produces more hydroelectricity than any other river in North America. #5 James Douglas Saves Victoria James Douglas, a senior manager in the Hudson Bay Company and the governor of Vancouver Island has become known as “the Father of British Columbia” . He was born in British Guyana to a Scottish father and a Creole mother from Barbados. The border between America and Canada was about to be drawn as a straight line along the 49th parallel - the only problem was that Vancouver Island dipped below the 49th! James Douglas founded Ft. Victoria on the south of the island and, in doing so, ensured its inclusion (and some say all of the northern Pacific Coast) in Canada. James Douglas #6 54.40 or Fight In 1844, James Polk was elected as the U.S. president. One of the slogans that became popular during the election was “54.40 or Fight”. 54.40 was the latitude of the border of the Russian territory – in other words, the Americans were bent on owning most of B.C. If this had happened, Canada would have no Pacific Coast and we would be a very different country. You may recognize the term “54.40” – it’s the name of a B.C. rock band (named intentionally for that slogan and its failure to happen). #7 James Douglas Saves the Mainland As an emergency response to the influx of American gold miners , James Douglas tightly controlled who could enter the mainland. He actually bluffed his authority over the mainland but was later granted that authority by the British ( easier to attain forgiveness than permission?) . As a result, Mainland B.C. was founded ( by coincidence) on August 2nd , 1858. Vancouver Island later joined officially with the mainland B.C. as “British Columbia” in 1866. "Splendour without Diminishment" #8 The Cariboo Road The Cariboo Road (connecting Yale to Barkerville near Prince George) was the result of B.C’s second gold rush. It was a marvel of engineering and a danger to ride – at one point Camels – yes Camels – were imported for the trek. Also worth noting during this time period is judge Matthew Begbie – “the hanging judge”. It was his relentless and fearless pursuit of law and order that prevented the B.C. interior from becoming the “free-for-all” that California had become to the south. #9 Cosmos, Robson, Seymour & Democracy Although James Douglas was the “Father of British Columbia” he was not much for democracy and Responsible Government. Enter two newspaper men , Amor de Cosmos (real name: Bill Smith) and James Robson who led the charge for these two rights. With these two rallying the crowd, the next governor, Frederick Seymour ushered in Responsible Government ( British Columbians governing British Columbians) and democracy. James Robson #10 The Last Spike Canada was forming as a Country in the East. It now included Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Manitoba. Although there was a very small contingent in B.C. who were rallying to join the Americans, the majority decided to join Canada as the 6th province July 20th, 1871 thus creating a country from “sea to sea”. Later, on November 7th, 1885, Lord Strathcona drove in the last spike of the transcontinental railroad (The Canadian Pacific Railroad which was part of the promise that attracted B.C. to join Confederation) at Craigellachie –between Sicamous and Revelstoke. "Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son... He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth." A Psalm for Solomon (Psalm 72 - This passage inspired the official motto of Canada "From Sea to Sea". ) ***Sources: Canadian History for Dummies , Wikipedia, gov.bc.ca You May Also Like: 12 Fascinating Facts About the History of Canada 8 Fascinating Facts About Mount Robson: Monarch of the Canadian Rockies (B.C.) 5 Fascinating Facts About Kalamalka Lake: Treasure of the Okanagan ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Interesting British Columbia Facts: Expo 86 was B.C's first major global event and spurred on the construction of the Coquihalla Highway and the Vancouver Skytrain system The 2010 Winter Olympics held in Vancouver / Whistler became the first Olympic games where Canada won gold on its home soil. These games are also credited with giving a massive boost to Canadian patriotism and Canada's place on the international stage. British Columbia geographical and climate ranges vary from temperate rainforests to Boreal forests, from desert to sub-arctic prairie and from massive mountain ranges to the ocean shore! Official Flower: Pacific Dogwood Official Tree: Western Red Cedar Official Bird: Stellar's Jay The white Kermode Bear ( also known as the spirit bear) is only found in B.C. With its film industry known as Hollywood North, the Vancouver region is the third-largest feature film production location in North America, after Los Angeles and New York City. Largest B.C. cities (metropolitan area 2006): 1) Vancouver 2,313,328 2) Victoria 344,615 3) Kelowna 179,839 4) Abbotsford 170,191 5) Kamloops 98,754 6) Nanaimo 98,021 7) Chilliwack 92,308 8) Prince George 84,232 9) Vernon 58,504 10) Courtenay 55,213
Maps of Alberta showing major cities, terrain, national parks, rivers, and surrounding countries with international borders and outline maps. Key facts about Alberta.
Lougheed house and gardens, Calgary, Alberta
A birds-eye view of Banff Townsite, the Bow River Valley, and the surrounding mountains.
Comcomly was a leading figure among the Chinook Indian bands who lived along the lower Columbia River during the period of contact between Native American tribes and Euro-American fur traders. Comcom
View of the old Hudson's Bay Company fort near Edmonton, Alberta along with surrounding landscape.
A view of Mount Norquay, the town of Banff and the Bow River Valley from Tunnel Mountain in Banff National Park.
a rare foray east of the rockies for me... just read about this situation in silversides' book about fort edmonton. there was talk of 'restoring' the fort into a museum even in the 1910s, but nothing came of it and the old structures were demolished. today's fort edmonton is a simulation or replica of the original
It was a time when Killarney was Prairie, Elbow Drive was a cattle trail and Stephen Avenue was the city’s main drag: Listen to these short audio files and you'll never look at Calgary the same way again.
As Canadians celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, this is a fine time to recall the unique role played by this country’s fur trade history.
View of the old Hudson's Bay Company Fort Edmonton buildings.
View of Banff Avenue looking north toward Cascade Mountain with Dave White Block left foreground.
View of the intersection on which resides the Sherman Grand Block in Calgary, Alberta. The Sherman Grand Theater was located in this building.
View of Banff Avenue looking north toward Cascade Mountain.
