RETROactive

Adaptability and modern amenities: Laundry in Pakan at the turn of the twentieth century

January 18, 2024January 17, 2024Jared

Written by: Julia-Rose Miller, Honours Undergraduate, U of A Department of History, Classics and Religion

Laundry has always been among humanity’s greatest burdens. In the past, much like today, clothing had to be washed, bleached, starched, ironed and dried. However, historically, a household’s clothing was by far their most expensive and precious domestic possessions. This meant that the maintenance and laundering of clothing was even more crucial, even though households were likely not in possession of all of our modern cleaning chemicals and detergents. Laundry in Pakan was no different from other areas of Canada at this time as they had access to all the ‘modern amenities’ (hand cranked washing machines, wringers, mangles, irons, clothes lines, laundry tubs, washboards, wash boilers, ironing boards and clothes horses) via catalogues.

*Catalogue and Buyers Guide Spring and Summer 1885 no. 57*. Source: Chicago: Montgomery Ward & Co. 1885.

Studying domestic labour is at times rather complicated, because, like many other pieces of women’s work, there are few written records detailing laundry activities. To deal with the lack of Pakan-specific sources, my examination of laundry centered on images from Pakan in conjunction with other resources from different parts of Canada like the Eaton’s catalogues and household manuals. Images from Pakan established that residents were wearing western-style, cloth-based textiles, suggesting that they would likely also be using European laundering techniques developed for these articles of clothing. Annie B. Juniper’s Girls’ home manual of cookery, home management, home nursing and laundry provided a comprehensive explanation of numerous laundering techniques and materials popular at the turn of the century. This book, published in Victoria, B.C. in 1913, was given to school girls to instruct them on proper methods for home maintenance.

Christmas at Dunvegan

December 20, 2023December 20, 2023Jared

What makes your holiday season complete? Is it fruit cake, latkes or bannock? Lighting a menorah, Christmas tree or a kinara? How old or new are the traditions you participate in? Where did they originate?

The Beaver people who first inhabited the areas bordering the Peace River have been gathering at Dunvegan for thousands of years. Like other Indigenous peoples, before the arrival of the fur traders and missionaries, it’s possible they may have celebrated the Winter Solstice while camping in the area.

When Northwest Company fur traders arrived in 1805 and established Fort Dunvegan, they brought with them the customs of European Christians, particularly those of the Scots. You’ve probably heard of Kwanzaa, but have you ever heard of Hogmanay? In Scotland, Christmas was celebrated quietly, while Hogmanay or New Year’s Eve, was well…a party! Being as many fur traders originally hailed from Scotland, those traditions came with them over to what is now known as Canada.

By the time this photo was taken in 1909 by A.M. Bezanson, the St. Charles Mission at Dunvegan had been shut down for six years. Source: South Peace Regional Archives

Indeed, this is reflected in the journals left by the men in charge at Fort Dunvegan through the 1800s. In some cases, Christmas isn’t even mentioned at all on December 25. When it is mentioned it’s often to say that nothing of importance happened. But every entry that was made on January 1 (at least between 1822 and 1844) mentions everyone gathering at the fort for their usual treat of a ration from the store. This included gifts of tobacco, rum, meat or biscuits. Even lime juice has been mentioned as a special treat given to visitors.

Designation and protection: 50 years of the Historical Resources Act (Part 2)

December 13, 2023December 15, 2023Jared

Editor’s note: Catch up with part one of 50 years of the Historical Resources Act. The banner image above is courtesy of the Royal Alberta Museum.

Written by: Valerie Knaga, Indigenous Heritage Section, Ronald Kelland, Historic Places Research Officer and Fraser Shaw, Heritage Conservation Adviser, Southern Region

Indigenous heritage

Indigenous heritage has existed long before Indigenous Peoples had first contact with European settlers, long before the establishment of Alberta as a province in 1905 and long before the Historical Resources Act was enacted. While Indigenous people have been subject to legislation and policies that sought to undermine their connection to their culture and heritage, they have retained a powerful connection to their historic places and the rich repository of cultural meaning they embody. While Indigenous heritage was not explicitly referenced in Alberta’s Historical Resources Act when it was passed in the 1970s, the Act has played a key role in helping to preserve Indigenous heritage sites. That is not to say that some Indigenous voices were not present during the development of this legislation. The Public Advisory Committee on the Conservation of Archaeological and Historical Resources which advised on the creation of the legislation included representative Chief John Snow and one of the briefs presented at the public hearings was from Allan J. Wolf Leg of the Calgary Native Development Society.

A historic settlement site south near Muskwa Lake was documented in February 2020 during field work with Bigstone Cree Nation. Source: Laura Golebiowski.

Designation and protection: 50 years of the Historical Resources Act (Part 1)

December 8, 2023December 13, 2023Jared

Editor’s note: The banner image above is courtesy of the Royal Alberta Museum.

Written by: Todd Kristensen, Archaeological Survey of Alberta and Dan Spivak, Head, Resource Management Program, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology

This year, the Historical Resources Act (HRA or the Act) in Alberta celebrates its 50^th anniversary. When it was passed in 1973, the Act provided a range of tools to manage historic resources across the province. This now includes archaeological sites, historic buildings, Indigenous traditional use sites of an historic character and palaeontological sites. It was a landmark achievement on a national scale because it stimulated the first stand-alone provincial department whose purpose was to ensure site protection during industrial development. Since inception, the Act has led to the documentation of over 42,000 archaeological sites, 110,000 historic structures, 7,200 palaeontological sites and 2,400 historical Indigenous traditional use sites. While the goals of heritage management in Alberta have evolved along with the Act, it continues to protect the past.

To recognize this milestone, RETROactive contributors will look at the legacy of the Act in managing historic resource sites, including archaeological, palaeontological, historic building and Indigenous traditional use sites. They will also explore the role of the Act in establishing the names of geographical locations across the province.

*A map of heritage legislation and preceding acts or policies across Canada. Source: Todd Kristensen.*

Archaeology on the Brink: The Occasional Paper Series in 2023 (Part 2)

December 6, 2023December 6, 2023Jared

Editor’s note: The Archaeological Survey of Alberta is proud to release the complete volume of Occasional Paper Series No. 42, available for free download. The volume is dedicated to Alberta archaeologist Jack Brink and the initial blog featured the first five articles. This post features the remaining seven articles, which focus on a variety of archaeological topics.

Written by: Todd Kristensen, Archaeological Survey of Alberta

In the sixth paper of the volume, staff of Lifeways of Canada Limited summarize three seasons of excavation at an important archaeological site in southern Alberta. The Junction Site has produced a number of interesting pit features associated with Late Precontact Period bison kills, processing areas and winter camp activities.

A boiling pit feature and profile from the Junction Site. Source: Vivian and Blakey, 2023.

Archaeology on the Brink: The Occasional Paper Series in 2023 (Part 1)

November 30, 2023November 30, 2023Jared

Editor’s note: The Archaeological Survey of Alberta is proud to release the complete volume of Occasional Paper Series No. 42, available for free download.

Written by: Todd Kristensen, Archaeological Survey of Alberta

Archaeology on the Brink: Papers in Honour of John W. Brink

Cover of the 2023 Occasional Paper Series. Artwork by Shannon Ford.

Unlike previous volumes, in which papers are published and released throughout the year, the current volume is based on an archaeology conference session dedicated to the widely respected Alberta archaeologist Jack Brink, and all articles are here released concurrently. This blog features five articles (out of 12 in the issue) that focus on archaeological work at the famous Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Alberta. The rest of the 12 articles will be published next week.

The Archaeological Survey in Numbers – 2022 Update Part Two

November 23, 2023November 23, 2023colleenhaukaas

Written By: Colleen Haukaas, Archaeological Survey

This post looks at archaeological sites recorded in Alberta under 2022 archaeological permits issued by the Archaeological Survey. Part One of this post has more information about archaeological permits, field activities, and professional activities.

The majority of sites each year are recorded during CRM projects in response to potential impacts from proposed developments. Researchers in universities, museums, and other research facilities also record sites each year. Together, archaeologists record and re-record (revisit) 500-700 sites annually.

There are more than 40,000 known sites recorded in Alberta, ranging from small scatters of a few artifacts to complex sites like the Quarry of the Ancestors, Áísínai’pi, and Cluny Fortified Village sites. The infographic below shows basic categories of information about sites recorded in 2022, including site class and type.

You can explore previous Survey in Numbers to compare statistics year over year

The Archaeological Survey in Numbers – 2022 Update Part One

November 15, 2023November 15, 2023colleenhaukaas

Written By: Colleen Haukaas, Archaeological Survey

This week’s post is an update on 2022 archaeological permits from the Archaeological Survey of Alberta. All archaeological field research in Alberta must be carried out under a permit issued by the Archaeological Survey by a qualified professional archaeologist. In 2022, the Archaeological Survey issued 209 permits to 53 professional archaeologists at 19 companies.

As in previous years, the majority of permits were issued for mitigative assessments, or assessments to determine if a proposed development may impact a known of potential archaeological site. The majority of assessments were Historical Resources Impacts Assessments (HRIAs), which are generally preliminary examinations intended to determine whether a development will impact archaeological sites. More detailed site excavations are less common in mitigative archaeology, but do occur when sites cannot be avoided by a development. In 2022, mitigative archaeologists carried out 194 assessments, which included the excavation of more than more than 27,000 shovel tests and 476 square meters of formal site excavation.

The infographic below includes details about archaeological permits and assessments, based on information provided to the Archaeological Survey in permit applications, reports and other reporting materials.

Part two of this post will discuss the archaeological sites recorded in 2022.

You can explore previous Survey in Numbers to compare statistics year over year.

Métis Week 2023

November 8, 2023November 9, 2023Jared

Editor’s note: Banner image of a Métis sash courtesy of Laura Golebiowski.

Written by: Laura Golebiowski, Indigenous Consultation Advisor

On November 16, 1885, Métis leader and Manitoba founder the Right Honourable Louis Riel was executed in Saskatchewan, after he was charged with six counts of high treason. Now, annually, Albertans are invited to mark the sombre anniversary of Riel’s death and recognize the broader histories, sacrifices and accomplishments of the Métis Peoples. This year, Métis Week takes place November 12 – 18, 2023.

Canadian Pacific Railway Survey. Fort Edmonton, from point below the Wesleyan Mission, December 1871. The York boat and red river cart, both pictured, are important historical contributions and symbols of Métis material culture. Source: Charles Horetzky/Library and Archives Canada/e011183607-v8.

Youth, educators and the general public are encouraged to further their learning through Rupertsland Centre for Teaching and Learning resources, which include live online events most days of Métis Week. The live program includes jigging, red river cart stories and Michif language learning—in addition to the interactive resources, printables and videos accessible year-round.

The St. Albert-Sturgeon County Métis Local and the City of St. Albert will be holding a flag raising and proclamation ceremony on November 16 at 2:00pm at St. Albert place. On November 13, Métis Week opening ceremony activities will take place at Calgary City Hall all morning and early afternoon.

Visit the Métis Nation of Alberta or the Métis Settlements General Council (did you know that the eight Alberta Métis Settlements are the only collectively-held Métis land base in Canada?) websites to learn more about Métis heritage, contemporary initiatives and cultural events held throughout the year.

If your community has a Métis Week 2023 event you’d like us to know about, please leave a comment with the details.

From Ghoulies, Ghosties and Long Leggety Beasties

October 31, 2023Jared

On behalf of everyone at RETROactive, have a safe, fun and spooky Halloween! Take a look below at how Albertans celebrated the occasion decades ago. All images courtesy of the Provincial Archives of Alberta.

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