Building Community
In this episode of A Little Bit Ritchie, we look at three community transitions, each shaped by the community’s needs and desires and marked by a collection of buildings: the shantytown of Ross Acreage, Wartime Housing Limited homes, and Redeemer Lutheran Church. A key theme throughout is the movement towards modernization, which so often occurs after periods of upheaval. This episode was produced in collaboration with local popular historian Dane Ryksen, who shares the history of a Redeemer Lutheran Church.
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Show Notes
"Solves Housing Problem for Many War Workers in Canada," Edmonton Journal, 1942 Nov. 28, 6.
A home that appears to fit the layout and profile the WHL homes that were built in Ritchie. Photographed by Afternoon Bloom during the September 17, 2022, Centennial Celebration walking tour.
1955 architectural plan for Redeemer Lutheran Church from Blakey, Blakey & Ascher architectural firm. “Churches - Redeemer Lutheran Church, Edmonton,” 1955, Howard and Robert Bouey Architects fonds, PR0201, Reel 4, Provincial Archives of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta.
“Redeemer Lutheran’s New Pipe Organ,” Edmonton Journal, 1963 Nov. 23, 29.
“Sod Turned for New Redeemer Lutheran Church Sunday,” Edmonton Journal, 1953 August 10, 13.
Goertz Studios, “History in Pictures – Mrs. Louis Sievers…,” Edmonton Journal, 1960 March 25, 17.
Additional Resources
Read more of Dane Ryksen’s work on his blog, Forgotten Edmonton. Follow Dane on Instagram @_citizen_dane_.
Through a series of building profiles, Sunday Modernism “attempts to examine the relationship between Edmonton’s post-war churches, the city, and religious practice.” Also see Tai Ziola’s ECAMP article, “Edmonton’s ‘Sunday Modernism’ – Modernist Churches in the Post-War Era.”
As a companion to the Capital Modern: Edmonton Architecture and Urban Design 1940-1969 publication, Capital Modern Edmonton is “an interactive reproduction” of the material included in the publication.
For more information about Camp Pekiwewin, listen to episode one of the Dignity During a Pandemic: No One Left Behind produced by the John Humphrey Centre for Peach and Human Rights
Learn more about the building of the Alaska Highway in this ECAMP article by Katherine Koller, “The Year of the Alaska Highway: 1942.”
Learn more about the Ritchie Community League’s involvement with the Mustard Seed.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND RECONCILIATION RESOURCES
Reconciliation Committee: A Little Bit Ritchie is more than entertainment and celebration. It is also a mutual learning method. The league has developed a Reconciliation Committee to foster this learning, which aims to work with the community to understand the history of the lands we call home. We hope to learn more about the rich indigenous history of the area and build stronger relationships with today's communities and residents. The committee hopes to explore what these lands mean to us and develop a deeper appreciation with bi-weekly meetings, which will create educational opportunities for the community through readings, discussions, and guest speakers.
In an effort to re-structure how we perceive and interact with the community we serve, the League would love to hear lesser-known stories about the lands currently known as Ritchie. These stories can help shape how we acknowledge these lands and support our goals of building an equitable, welcoming community for all through reconciliation and local action. Let us know how you show gratitude for the lands you call home or what brings you joy in your community. If you want to share a story, please contact the committee at civics@ritchie-league.com.
LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
The Indigenous Sport and Recreation Graduate Certificate is designed to help working professionals better understand Indigenous communities through sport and recreation.
The podcast “Our Foods: Chatting about Métis food Sovereignty” from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Native Studies explores many aspects of food sovereignty in the Métis community.
The University of Alberta offers a free online course about Indigenous history in Canada.
Turtle Island Safer Spaces works with local businesses to facilitate learning and proactive allyship for Indigenous youth.
Mâmawô ayâwin at Edmonton Public Library is a platform for gathering and learning, developed from Edmonton Public Library’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's calls to action.
Alberta Labour History Institute shares the stories of working folks across Alberta.
CORRECTIONS
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NEXT TIME
Join us on the next episode of A Little Bit Ritchie, where we’ll take you on a neighbourhood tour and recount the people, places, and history that have defined the community.
CALL TO ACTION
To show your support for the Ritchie Community League, consider The Ritchie Crew Subscription Service.
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If you have a story you would like to share in a future episode of A Little Bit Ritchie, send us an email at community-planning@ritchie-league.com.
CREDITS
A Little Bit Ritchie is brought to you by the Ritchie Community League Centennial Celebration Committee. Erin Fraser and Seghan MacDonald chair the committee. Our primary researcher is Linnea Bell. Elyse Colville wrote this episode. A special thanks to Dane Ryksen for researching and writing the segment about Redeemer Lutheran Church.
A Little Bit Ritchie is edited by Castria Communications and Media Solutions and hosted by Lydia Neufeld. This project is supported by the Edmonton Heritage Council and the City of Edmonton. Thank you to Tierra Connor for creating our artwork. Our theme music is “Twin Ponds” by Hemlock.