Wander ‘Round Ritchie
On September 17th, 2022—Edmonton’s Community League Day—Ritchie celebrated its centennial anniversary with live music, food trucks, and historical walking tours. On this special episode of A Little Bit Ritchie, we’ll introduce you to 13 of Ritchie’s historical hotspots. Tie on some walking shoes, grab a pair of headphones, and join us on a two-hour adventure to Wander ‘Round Ritchie.
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Show Notes
Wander ‘Round Ritchie Walking Tour Map designed by Scott Carmichael, 2023
Wander ‘Round Ritchie Walking Tour Map designed by Scott Carmichael, 2023
Centennial Celebration Walking tour group at the second stop, Ritchie slide, September 17, 2022. Photographed by Afternoon Bloom.
Photographed by Afternoon Bloom during the September 17, 2022 Centennial Celebration.
Stop 2, the Ritchie Slide in 1965 while teens burned effigies of local politicians.
"Mayor And Ald. Kiniski 'Hanged' At Playground," Edmonton Journal, 1965 July 28, 3.
Stop 5: A view down the Edmonton, Yukon & Pacific Railway bridge crossing Mill Creek Ravine. Photographed by Afternoon Bloom during the September 17, 2022 Centennial Celebration.
“Edmonton, Alberta,” ca. 1913-1939, A4772, in the William A. Cannon fonds (PR2457), appears courtesy of the Provincial Archives of Alberta.
A quick stop before crossing the Edmonton, Yukon & Pacific Railway bridge crossing Mill Creek Ravine. Photographed by Afternoon Bloom during the September 17, 2022 Centennial Celebration.
Stop 8: Walking the path from Mill Creek Ravine up to the Mill Creek Gainer’s site. Photographed by Afternoon Bloom during the September 17, 2022 Centennial Celebration.
The active Gainers Packing Plant, photographed approaching the main office from the east at the top of the ravine.
Photograph included alongside article: Jac MacDonald, “Founder and namesake of Gainers started with $250,” Edmonton Journal, 1989 Nov. 12, 14.
Stop 9: the Ritchie Tri-plex now stands empty, but from the early 1900s until about 50 years ago, the building was home to many Ritchie residents. Photographed by Afternoon Bloom during the September 17, 2022, Centennial Celebration.
Photographed by Afternoon Bloom during the September 17, 2022 Centennial Celebration.
The J.B. Allan house, just north of the Ritchie Community Hall, is the final stop of the tour and represents a key figure in the League’s history. Photographed by Afternoon Bloom during the September 17, 2022 Centennial Celebration.
Additional Resources
To listen to another Ritchie walking tour, check out Episode 42 of the Let’s Find Out Podcast.
To learn more about SCTV’s run in Edmonton, read InfoEdmonton's article “SCTV: When Edmonton Was Melonville.”
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 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 Seghan at civics@ritchie-league.com.
LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
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
In our final episode, we’ll chat with community members about their perceptions of 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 Little Bit Ritchie is produced 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. A special thank you to Scott Carmichael for designing the Wander ‘Round Ritchie Walking Tour Map.