Valentine's Day: The Excuse for Eating Chocolate in February

Valentine’s Day is just a few days away and regardless of whether your relationship status is single or taken, February 14th is the perfect occasion to indulge in chocolate! In fact, it's practically impossible to resist the temptation when all the store shelves are filled with chocolates in all shapes and sizes. 

Why is that, anyway? Why is Valentine's Day associated with chocolate? What is the history behind the tradition of providing sweets to your sweetheart?

In 1861 Richard Cadbury, of the famous confectionary company, began selling chocolates in heart-shaped boxes.  The boxes also featured designs of cupids and rosebuds and were marketed as the ideal storage for love letters and mementos. This is how Valentine's Day and chocolate officially becoming a couple.

Over the years, the relationship continued to flourish. In 1907, chocolate pioneer Milton Hershey produced one of the the most popular Valentine's Day treats: Hershey Kisses (apparently so-called because of the "smooching" sound the chocolate made as it was being manufactured).

The commercialization of Valentines Day continued with the founding of the Russell Stover Candies Company. What began with Clara Stover wrapping candies in her kitchen in 1923, grew into one of the most successful commercial chocolate companies. The Stovers opened several companies to mass produce chocolates in heart-shaped boxes, which were then sold to department stores.

No matter what brand of chocolate you buy, be sure to enjoy the rich history that went into bringing them to you for Valentine’s Day!

Information for this article was found on the following sites: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

and http://www.history.com/.

Royal Alberta Museum Looking for Content Researchers

Job description: In support of the development of the new Royal Alberta Museum, slated to open in downtown Edmonton, the Royal Alberta Museum is seeking to contract content researchers to undertake directed research for the completion of individual displays for the history galleries.

Under the direction of the Interpretive Planners and the Human History Wing Lead, researchers will develop content for object-based exhibits that will tell the story of 20th century life in Alberta.

The RAM intends to assign up to twelve stories to contractors. At this time, the Museum is looking for an expression of interest from potential researchers.

If interested, please download the attached document. All submissions must be sent to Linden Roberts (linden.roberts@gov.ab.ca) by Friday, September 5, 2014. 

Background
The Royal Alberta Museum, in Edmonton, Alberta, is undergoing capital redevelopment, with a new facility now under construction. Included in the development is a suite of approximately 30,000 square feet of human history galleries.

In planning the new galleries, the museum has developed an interpretive strategy that is story-based, object-focused and developed around a defined audience strategy. The human history wing of galleries is organized according to the following principles:
• There is a key message to define the overarching narrative for the wing, setting the tone for the wing and defining the elements important in our storytelling.
• Within the wing, the galleries each define a key message and narrative that characterizes and defines the approach to the history covered by that period. Among the characteristics for the galleries are:
o Each gallery will be self-contained. There will be no sense of historical themes that will stretch from one gallery to the next.
o Each gallery will tell a complete story. 

Within each gallery, a series of story displays will deliver the gallery message and narrative. These story displays each share the following characteristics:
• They are object focused.
• There is a key message.
• There is a defined target audience for each.

Services Required
The Royal Alberta Museum is looking for qualified researchers to develop 20th century Alberta history stories identified for the galleries. Researchers will be considered for one or more story. The topics are:

• First Nations ranching and rodeo
• Winter sports
• Banking
• Modern farming and ranching
• Labour history
• Equality issues
• Renewable energy
• Medicine and Health
• Railway
• Residential Schools 
• Metis culture and history

Specific topics will be identified with the successful candidates, and candidates will be given a topic title, a brief description and our intention for the story.  


Researchers will be expected to meet with the Museum’s Interpretive Planners, then prepare the following for each assigned story:

• Key Message (~75 words)
• Final Story description (~1000 words)
• Suggested objects to illustrate the story and key message (~10)
• A description of each object and how it supports the key message (~25 words)

Note: The use of Royal Alberta Museum objects is preferred, so each researcher should allow one full day for a discussion of the museum’s collections with a curator to be assigned to each contracted story.

The work is to be undertaken in the period September through November 2014.

Qualifications
Interested researchers should provide the following information, in no more than three pages and in PDF format:

• Name to be contracted under (either personal or business)
• Contact information
• Relevant academic qualifications
• Relevant work history (with a particular focus on projects)
• Hourly or daily rates for professional services

Information should be sent to:

Linden Roberts
Director of Capital Exhibit Development
Via email at linden.roberts@gov.ab.ca


Next steps
Successful candidates will be contacted to bid on the development of one or more stories.

#Throwback Thursday @ Canada's History

If you are an active Twitter or Facebook user, you've probably seen Throwback Thursday photos of your friends from years gone by.  You've probably even posted one of yourself sporting that rat's tail or mullet hair due wearing an acid washed jean jacket and holding a Sony Walkman with your favorite mixed tape inside. Well, Canada's History Magazine has put a twist on Throwback Thursdays using historical photos of Canadian events and places.  Each week, an archival photo is posted on Canada's History Magazine Twitter account and people can tweet an answer.  One person is chosen weekly as the winner and given a free magazine subscription.  When the winner is announced, details of the photo are also released as well as links to events and occurrences that relate to the photo.  The latest Throwback Thursday photo showcased the CANOL Project at Fort Fitzgerald in 1942.  During the Second World War,  a pipeline and road were to be constructed that spanned from Norman Wells, Northwest Territories to Whitehorse, Yukon that would secure an oil supply during the war.


Although an American Initiative, the CANOL Project has its own place in our local history.  In 1942, American soldiers arrived in Waterways by train and established a military base where Keyano College is currently located.  The base, known as The Prairie, extended to the Clearwater River.  This base became a staging ground to support the CANOL project and every available local boat and barge was used to transport cargo and equipment to Norman Wells from The Prairie.

The Throwback Thursday, Canada's History Magazine contest is a really neat way to share history and have fun at the same time.   Follow Canada's History Magazine on twitter for your chance to win a free magazine subscription.  And while your having fun guessing the photo, indulge in the historical information that's presented with each photo from the week prior.


Twitter.com/Canadashistory   #throwbackthursday

This is the photo that Canada's History Magazine tweeted during Throwback Thursday contest on June 19th 

Natural History Education and Interpretation Program Coordinator

Liliaceae, Ficus Benghalensis, Python Daudin and Bunnies!

Do words like these excite you? Are you looking for a budding career? You've come to the right place! The Community Services Department is seeking an enthusiastic individual to join our dynamic team of programmers and interpreters to be a Program Coordinator at the Muttart Conservatory and John Janzen Nature Centre. This supervisory role will allow you to exercise your knowledge of natural history and education as you will lead these centres in developing and implementing educational programs to engage visitors in learning about horticulture and nature. You will be required to create and coordinate educational programs, hire, train, supervise and provide support to your staff team and liaise with a variety of other City of Edmonton units and staff to ensure these quality programs go off without a hitch.

Some of your exciting responsibilities are to:
-Plan and organize the implementation of education and interpretation programs for the Muttart Conservatory and John Janzen Nature Centre
-Coordinate the development of new programs for the Muttart and John Janzen Nature Centre and in response to changing curriculum, customer requests, and new exhibits
-Recruit, hire, train and supervise program staff and provide support with scheduling, timesheet submission and evaluation
-Liaise with Communications personnel for promotional needs and prepare and submit information for brochures
-Liaise with bookings staff to ensure facilities are booked efficiently and programs are booked correctly. Set up, monitor and evaluate programs in CLASS
-Coordinate supply purchasing for programs at the Muttart and Nature Centre
-Fulfill supervisor roles and responsibilities in the city-wide safety program
-Coordinate and assist with special projects as they relate to education programs
-Represent Education and Interpretation Programs on facility-based committees
-Work collaboratively with other units, including Special Events, Operations and Bookings
-Other related duties as required
-To visualize what it is like to be on our team, visit The City of Edmonton Talent Hub.

Qualifications:
-Degree/diploma in Recreation/Leisure Studies, Education, Science, History, or other related discipline with training in program development
-One year of program delivery experience in an interpretive or recreation environment and at least six months of supervisory experience
-Knowledge of all aspects of program development and delivery including approaches to youth education
-Demonstrated ability and experience necessary to perform supervisory responsibilities
-Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and train others
-Solid knowledge of local natural history and/or horticulture
-Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
-Experience using Microsoft Office (Word), Google (Mail, Calendar) and other computer software programs
-Current Standard First Aid and CPR
-Possession of a valid Class 5 Alberta Motor Vehicle Operators License and eligibility to obtain a City driver's permit
-Applicants will be required to arrange their own transportation and where appropriate will be reimbursed in accordance with the City of Edmonton policy. This may require the applicant to obtain business use auto insurance
-The successful candidate will be required to obtain a satisfactory Police Information Check Certificate including a Vulnerable Sector Check from the police agency in the jurisdiction in which they reside. Residents of the City of Edmonton can usually obtain a Police Information Check Certificate including a Vulnerable Sector Check with a single visit to the Police Information Check Section located at #108, 14315 118 Avenue. Candidates residing outside the City of Edmonton will be required to obtain a Certified Criminal Record Check including a Vulnerable Sector Check from their local RCMP detachment
-Hours of Work: 33.75 hours per week

Please apply online at: https://edmonton.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=18538&src=JB-10700

Job Opportunity with the Glenbow Museum

The Glenbow Museum is seeking a Membership Coordinator to join their team! The Glenbow Museum is an art and history museum located in Calgary, Alberta. You can learn more about the museum by visiting their website.

Position Details:

Reporting to the Director of Development, this position is responsible for the development, 
implementation/management & evaluation of an effective membership relations/stewardship 
program for members at all levels. This is achieved by providing the highest level of service and stewardship for members; developing customized stewardship plans and reports; and providing meaningful and consistent donor communication that creates awareness of Glenbow’s core activities and recognizes each stakeholder’s unique involvement/motivation for supporting Glenbow Museum. This position will also be responsible for providing some administrative support to the VP of Development and the other members of the development team providing timely assistance for all fundraising and revenue generation activities. 

For more information about this position, please  click here. The deadline to apply is Thursday, May 29, 2014. 

Get your copy of the Heritage Calendar Today

April has arrived, the snow is melting, the sun is out (on most days) and spring is officially in the air.  I hear some of my co-workers saying "where has the time gone?  Its April already!!"  

To help keep track of your time and all those busy days, why not download the Heritage Calendar. The Heritage Calendar highlights the Region's history and in particular for 2014, the history of the fur trade.  Each month listed in the calendar features a historic photograph with a related description.  The calendars help promote the rich cultural heritage that the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has to offer.

You're probably wondering why you would want a calendar this late in the year.  well, please think about this; the Heritage Calendar makes for a lovely keep-sake and is available as a full size, gloss finish wall calendar at Heritage Park's gift shop for a minimal cost.  Purchasing a calendar will help off-set costs at Heritage Park for flood relief efforts.

Please visit www.Woodbuffalo.ab.ca to download your copy today - found under the Living/Arts and Culture/Heritage Calendar tabs.

To purchase a copy, visit Heritage Park at 1 Tolen Drive, Fort McMurray.


 

Today is Vimy Ridge Day

Did you know that April 9th is Vimy Ridge Day in Canada?

The Battle of Vimy Ridge began on April 9, 1917, during the First World War. This marked the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Corps, men from across Canada, went into battle together. 

At Vimy Ridge, the Canadians did what no other Allied forces could not: they took Vimy Ridge. Previous assaults on the area had failed with over 100 000 casualities. To capture this difficult position, the Canadians carefully planned and practiced their assault.  The success came at a cost, however, as 3 598 Canadians were killed and over 7 000 were wounded.

The capture of Vimy Ridge was more than an important battlefield victory. It is viewed as the defining moment in Canadian history as the moment Canada broke free from the shadows of England and the Empire. The Canadian success earned Canada a separate signature on the Treaty of Versailles peace treaty in 1919.

In 1922, France donated a large portion of the land of Vimy Ridge to Canada for use as a memorial. The Vimy Monument now stands on top of Hill 145, the most important and strategic part of the ridge. 

Aboriginal Arts & Stories Creative Contest for Aboriginal Youth

Aboriginal Arts & Stories is the largest and most recognized art & creative writing competition in Canada for Aboriginal youth.

Competition Guidelines

This year's deadline is March 31, 2014. The contest is open to Canadians of Aboriginal ancestry (Status, Non-Status, Inuit and Métis) between the ages of 14-29.

New this year: our competition is open to emerging writers and artists between the ages of 11-13!

Create a writing or art piece that explores a moment or theme in Aboriginal history or culture.

A 200-400 word Artist’s or Author’s Statement that explains how your piece reflects or interprets the moment or theme you selected must accompany your entry into the Aboriginal Arts & Stories competition.

You may enter online with your desktop computer, or by e-mail, mail or fax.

For more information about this contest, please visit http://www.our-story.ca/

The Prince of Wales Prize for Municipal Heritage Leadership

Heritage Canada The National Trust (HCNT) believes that historic places are the cornerstones of community, identity and sense of place. The National Awards Program recognizes individuals, organizations, corporations and rehabilitation projects that give new life to Canada’s historic places. HCNT's awards are presented at a ceremony held in conjunction with our annual conference. Selections are made by independent juries whose members represent, on a broad basis, the regions of Canada, the various disciplines relating to heritage conservation, and the voluntary heritage movement.

"I have always believed that if you want to effect change it is not enough merely to champion an idea, but absolutely vital to make the effort to create tangible examples on the ground that prove this philosophy, and then inspire other communities to do the same." HRH The Prince of Wales.

In keeping with His Royal Highness’ commitment to architecture, the environment, and inner-city renewal, The Prince of Wales agreed to lend his title to the creation in 1999 of a prize to be awarded annually to the government of a municipality which has demonstrated a strong and sustained commitment to the conservation of its historic places. The local government must have a record of supporting heritage preservation through such means as regulation, policies, funding and exemplary stewardship. The nomination must provide evidence that heritage properties in the given municipality have improved over a period of time.

The award consists of a metal plaque and a scroll, as well as a flag or pennant to be flown outside the winning municipality’s headquarters and/or placed on permanent display. The Prince of Wales Prize logo must be displayed on the homepage of the municipality’s website.

Nominations must be received on or before March 14.

To make a nomination, please click here for the submission criteria and instructions.

Heritage Canada The National Trust is a partner with Prince’sCharities Canada (PCC), a facilitating organization that works with existing Canadian charities already connected to The Prince of Wales to help arrange opportunities for charitable organizations in Canada and the U.K. to work together.

Canada History Awards 2014 - Register Your Class!

Participate now in the Government of Canada History Awards for students. Grade 10 and 11 students from across Canada are invited to answer one of five challenging questions with their own essay answer. Read the five questions here and pick the one that most interests you! There is up to $225,000 in prize money available to students who enter the essay contest. A maximum of 225 prizes of $1,000 each will be presented. Read the rules and regulations here for all the details. The deadline for entries is April 18th, 2014. Click here to submit your essay for the 2014 awards.

February is Black History Month!

February is Black History Month!

You can learn more about Black Canadian history at Historica Canada. There is a collection of Heritage Minutes about the Underground Railroad, Black Loyalists and Black heroes. Some of these people are renown, like Jackie Robinson (see his Canadian connection here), while some aren't as well known, Maurice Ruddick (you can learn about him here).  There is also an education guide for teachers looking for ways to teach and celebrate Black history!

Have You Seen the New Heritage Minutes?

Historica Canada has released two new Heritage Minutes! 

Click here to watch the newest Heritage Minutes about Confederation: Sir John A. Macdonald at the Charlottetown Conference, which launched Confederation; and Sir George-Étienne Cartier’s incredible contributions to bringing our country together.

Collections Technician Wanted at Museum of the Highwood, High River

The Museum of the Highwood is a western heritage museum located in the former CPR station 
in downtown High River in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains - 45 minutes south of Calgary, 
Alberta. In June 2013, the museum collection suffered varying degrees of loss and damage 
due to a major flood. 

A six month contract position is currently available for an individual to assist in the cleaning, 
repair and re-housing of damaged artifacts and archival materials. This is an excellent, unique 
opportunity to learn and practice practical skills and techniques under the direction of experienced 
conservators. 

Qualifications:

• experience working directly with artifacts and archival materials

• related degree or diploma from an accredited institution

• knowledge of conservation techniques as well as care and handling procedures 

• proficiency in Past Perfect database an asset

• super organized, flexible, patient and able to work independently if necessary

• ability to efficiently undertake physical tasks, with some heavy lifting.

• familiarity with the Alberta Museum Associations’ Standard Practices Handbook – 
collections management 

• knowledge of Canadian Conservation code of ethics and practices.

Hours of work:

30 hours per week for a six month term.

Location: 

Calgary and High River. The candidate must be willing to relocate and should have his/
her own transportation if possible. Must have a valid driver’s license.

Starting date: Immediately.

Closing date for applications: January 16, 2014. 

Please e-mail applications to: irene.kerr@museumofthehighwood.com

Thank you for your interest in this position.

Only those candidates invited for an interview will be contacted

National Historic Sites Cost-Sharing Program

Parks Canada's National Historic Sites Cost-Sharing Program ("the Program") helps ensure the commemorative integrity of non-federally owned or administered national historic sites through financial contributions. 

For 2014-2015, please note that:

• Applications must be submitted by or postmarked no later than January 27, 2014.
• Selected projects must take place between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2015.
• Total funding available under the Program will be approximately $1,000,000.
• Preference may be given to those who have not received funding from the Program in the last five years.
• As Canada prepares to celebrate the sesquicentennial anniversary of Confederation in 2017, we encourage you to consider submitting requests for projects of particular importance to your communities that may be linked to key milestones in Canada's history. Assessment of proposals is always based on the Program's assessment criteria, however preference may be given to projects linked to significant national anniversaries that will be celebrated in the next few years, including events such as:
• the Centennial of the first Canadian scientific expedition to the Arctic (2013-18)
• the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences (2014)
• significant events related to the First and Second World Wars
• the bicentennial of Sir John A. Macdonald's birth (January 11, 2015)
• the 175th anniversary of the birth of Sir Wilfrid Laurier (November 20, 2016)
• the bicentennial of the end of the War of 1812 (December 24, 2014)
• the 100th anniversaries celebrating women's suffrage and allowing women to vote (2016)
• the Centennial of the Battles of the Somme and Beaumont-Hamel (2016)
• the 150th anniversary of Confederation (2017)
• the Centennial of the Battles of Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele (2017)
• the Centennial of the National Hockey League (2017)
• the 50th anniversary of the Canada Games (2017)
• the 75th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid (2017)
• to mark a 100th anniversary or greater, in increments of 25 years (e.g., 125th, 150th), of importance to your national historic site.

Please consult the Program's guidelines:
Program Guidelines (PDF Version, 294 KB)
Application Forms:

1. Funding Application (DOC 1.85 MB, PDF 234 KB)
2. Project Timeline and Budget (EXCEL 134 KB, PDF 57 KB)

The first Government of Canada History Awards

The new Government of Canada History Awards is a new program that will honour outstanding students and teachers who show an interest in celebrating Canadian history. The Awards will be administered by Canada's History, an independent national organization with a mandate to make our nation's past relevant and accessible to all Canadians.

The Awards consists of up to 225 awards for secondary school students and up to 30 awards for secondary school teachers. Award winners will be selected from across Canada, with fair distribution for all provinces and territories. They do not interfere with provincial and territorial educational systems, but rather promote an appreciation of Canadian history by rewarding excellence from teachers and students who choose to compete.

Recipients of Government of Canada History Awards for students will include secondary school students who demonstrate outstanding achievement in undertaking projects on Canada’s history. The Government of Canada History Awards for teachers will be awarded to secondary school teachers for their innovative teaching plans on Canada's history. Canada’s History will be responsible for screening applicants’ submissions and for choosing the assessors to evaluate those submissions.

The first Government of Canada History Awards will be presented in 2014. Please visit www.pch.gc.ca for information regarding the Awards and visit the site often as more details of the awards process will be posted.

HIStory& HERitage: Christina Gordon

                           HIStory & HERitage

When Christina Gordon arrived in Fort McMurray, it was little more an isolated Hudson’s Bay Company post. The land was vast, the weather was unforgiving, and living off the land was hard work.

Christina Gordon was the first white woman to permanently settle in the area. She emigrated from Scotland sometime in the 1890s while her brother, William, had arrived in Canada about a decade earlier. Christina appears to have first settled in Athabasca Landing, which was a popular layover site for those adventurous souls en route to the Klondike Gold Rush.  Christina is listed in the 1901 census as living at Athabasca Landing, but William is not listed as living with her at this time. She identified herself as the head of the household and she owned a restaurant. 

By 1906, Christina and her brother were living in Fort McMurray. Together they operated a successful trading post. Four years later, William was appointed the first postmaster of the growing settlement of Fort McMurray. Whenever he was away trading with Aboriginals, it was Christina who was left to run both their store and the post office in her brother’s absence.

Christina was truly a woman before her time.  In an era when women were expected only to be wives and mothers, Christina never married nor had children. She was a businesswoman and she even owned land in her own right, a very uncommon occurrence for women in the early 20^th century. Her land was located south of the Clearwater River near the area where Home Hardware and Keyano College now stand. It was there that Christina grew her large garden of fruits, vegetables and herbs and where she prepared food and medicines for the ill and the poor.

This photo shows Christina Gordon (right) standing in front of a vegetable stand. Photo courtesy of the Fort McMurray Historical Society

Christina Gordon was a resident of Fort McMurray until her death in 1949. She was highly respected by the community for her kindness and generosity, so much so that she was awarded one of the highest honours of the Aboriginal people: a Lob Stick. When Chief Paul Cree was dying, he requested that a Lob Stick, a tree that has all of its branches removed except for a tuft at the very top, be created in Christina’s name. Her Lob Stick is said to be somewhere along the banks of the Athabasca River with her name carved at the bottom in the Cree language.

Christina is buried, along with her brother William, in the Fort McMurray Cemetery on Biggs Avenue. Although she didn’t leave any children to carry on her legacy, Christina’s name lives on in the region she so loved.  Both Christina River and Christina Lake are named in her honour as well as the future Christina Gordon Public School in Timberlea, which is scheduled to open in 2015. 

To see Christina in the census returns for 1901, 1906 and 1911, check out the websites below. They are available for free online at  www.collectionscanada.gc.ca.

1901 Census http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/1901/z/z004/pdf/z000177877.pdf

1906 Census http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e049/e001214443.pdf ( In this census return Christina lists her year of arrival as 1894 while William arrived in 1884).

1911 Census http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1911/pdf/e001935467.pdf

Christina Gordon's tombstone http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=gordon&GSfn=christina&GSiman=1&GScid=2313192&GRid=39260267&

Have you seen the new $50 polymer bill?

Have you seen the new polymer $50 bill? It features Arctic research icebreaker CCGS Amundsen, which was named after Captain Roald Amundsen, an explorer of the polar regions.

From May to December each year, the ship is used as an Arctic research vessel by various Canadian universities and research centres. During the winter months, the CCGC Amundsen is crewed by the Canadian Coast Guard and used for icebreaking service in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 

HIStory & HERitage: Hudson's Bay Company

                               HIStory & HERitage

As discussed in the last edition of HIStory & HERitage, Henry John Moberly established the first HBC post in Fort McMurray in 1870, along the banks of the Athabasca River. What wasn’t mentioned was that this trading post was essentially a failure.

It wasn’t Moberly’s fault, though. It was just bad timing. He established the post in 1870 and within 10 short years the fur trade was already in decline. The severe winters and frequent forest fires in the area were the main culprits as they deterred trappers from staying in the area. 

Since it was no longer profitable for the HBC to retain a trading post in Fort McMurray, it was shut down. The building itself, however, continued to house the local post office and served as a steamboat transfer point for those wanting to travel further north.  

By the 1920s, the population of Fort McMurray began to increase. As a result, so did the number of businesses and shops downtown.  Realizing it could now make a profit in the area the HBC built a store on Franklin Ave, west of current day Morrison Street. Its new focus was providing the needs for the growing population, such as food, clothing, firearms, trapping supplies and building materials. 

The Hudson's Bay Store on Franklin Ave., circa 1925.

The HBC also realized the economic potential of another community in the area: Waterways.

The HBC also set up shop across the street from the railroad station in 1926. Both stores fared extremely well. The Waterways store was supported by the rail and the growing community of Waterways, while the Fort McMurray store made a profit by supplying dry goods to local trappers and residents.

When Waterways and Fort McMurray amalgamated in 1947, it was the only northern community to boast two HBC stores.  Following more than a century of service, the HBC permanently closed its doors in Fort McMurray in 1958 and in Waterways in 1972.  

Canadian Citizenship Challenge for Youth- Deadline Dec. 31, 2013

"I am Canadian" 

THEN PROVE IT AND TAKE THE CHALLENGE!

DEADLINE TO ENTER: DECEMBER 31, 2013

Win a trip to Ottawa, a celebration for your class, or one of 100s of great prizes!

Because Citizenship is for all Canadians

The Citizenship Challenge asks youth, from grade 7 to 12, to put their national knowledge to the test, by studying for and writing a citizenship exam. Do you believe all Canadians should be ready to answer the same questions about their country as new Canadians? We do. Visit www.citizenshipchallenge.ca.

Are you up for the Challenge?

If you're a student in grade 7 to 12, Secondary I-V in Quebec, you can take the Challenge by registering online.

If you're a teacher with 14 or more students, you can register your classrooms online to take the Challenge

HIStory & HERitage: Henry John Moberly

HIStory & HERitage

The Culture Blog is excited to introduce a new project: HIStory & HERitage. This project will  highlight a person or event from the rich history of our region.

For the founding entry, I thought it would be fitting to honour the founder of Fort McMurray:  Henry John Moberly. 

Henry was born on August 2, 1835  to Mary and John Moberly, a captain in the Royal Navy. The Moberly's were a wealthy and distinguished family who had recently immigrated from England. At the time of Henry's birth, they were stationed in Penetanguishene, Ontario at the Penetanguishene Naval Yard.

It appears Henry was the black sheep of his family for while he craved a life of excitement and adventure, his brothers each pursued respectable careers in law, engineering and medicine. 

When Henry was 16 years old, he dropped out of his studies at Upper Canada College and escaped to Russia.  While abroad, Henry worked for an insurance firm for two years.However, the thrill of living in a new city eventually wore off and life in St. Petersburg became dull and familiar. So Henry began searching for his next adventure. 

Henry had heard daring tales of life as a fur trader: the vast landscapes, the herds of wild animals, the freedom from the law, and of course, the danger. Henry returned to Canada in 1853 and immediately applied to work with the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Henry worked for the HBC for nearly 40 years travelling all across Canada's north-west. It was in 1870 that Henry founded a HBC post at Fort McMurray to serve as a steamboat landing. The area at that time was referred to as “The Forks” but Henry decided to officially name the fort in honour his friend, William McMurray, who was the Inspecting Chief Factor for the northern district of the HBC at the time.

Henry finally retired from the HBC in 1894. True to his restless spirit, he had “resigned” at least twice during his lengthy career to pursue other interests. He panned for gold, worked as an office clerk and even married and had children. In fact, some sources claim Henry married  three different women and fathered a possible 16 children during his lifetime!

Never one to settle down, Henry shared his early travels in his autobiography “When Fur Was King”. After living a long and fulfilled life, Henry passed away in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan at the age of 96.