The Alberta Labour History Institute collects, preserves, and disseminates the stories of Alberta’s working people and their organizations. This website includes full transcripts, podcasts, and profiles of our interviewees. It also includes videos, booklets, themed essays, annual calendars, and a link to a book created by ALHI. To learn more about us, visit About. For help with navigating the site, visit How To Use This Site.
What’s New?
New and updated worker profiles: Ben Swankey; Sandra Macdonald; Jacqueline Preyde; Orval Griggs; Graham “Brent” Gawne; May Fingler
New theme: Precarious Workers in Alberta; Hunger March (1932)
Booknotes: A Fight for Justice: The compelling story of temporary foreign workers & human rights by Joe Barrett
Great Western Garment Company (GWG) in Edmonton
Website Link: Piece by Piece – The GWG Story
Conducted between 2004-2012, the Piece by Piece: GWG project was a large, interdisciplinary study of Edmonton’s Great Western Garment Company. The GWG project acknowledges the contributions of working women – largely immigrant women – who initially manufactured workwear for working men, building the west, and later casual clothing for all.
In addition to this virtual exhibition, the project, led by Catherine C. Cole, Don Bouzek and Maria Dunn, incorporated:
- The compilation of extensive collections of oral histories, related artifacts and archival materials
- A book by Catherine C. Cole
- A CD of original songs written and performed by Maria Dunn
- GWG: Piece by Piece Video Ballad – Full show link on Youtube
- Two travelling displays
- An archival exhibition
- Curriculum-based education materials, and
- The designation of the founding of Local 120 UGWA as an event of National Historic Significance.
Website Link: Piece by Piece – The GWG Story