Looking for a great read?
You will want to check back here often! We are compiling suggestions for local history sources, biographies, academic writing, children and youth genres, reader's ramblings, and more, all with a tie to local history!
If Natural History and the environment is one of your passions, you'll want to check out "The Birds of Alberta". One of the authors of "The Birds of Alberta", W. Ray Salt, was mentored by Frank Farley, great uncle of Farley Mowat. One can never have too much beauty in life, am I right? Check out The Spirit Giggles Within, by George Littlechild; a collection of some of his most spectacular pieces, pulled from his forty plus year career. Littlechild is a local artist who has been recognized on the world's stage for his colourful & textured renditions. His work is often said to embody "Wahkmkanak" the Cree concept referring to "Our Ancestors". |
Dag Hammarskjold's Markings is full of wisdom for life, one or two lines at a time. It has been called prophetic commentary, and has inspired thousands.
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Deanna Christensen as written an incredible epic based on the life of Ahtahkakoop, or Star Blanket, the Head Chief of a Plains Cree people's, and signatory of Treaty Six.
Beauty Everyday: Stories from Life as it Happens is a collection of stories centred around the Battle River, edited by anthropologist, author and activist, Dr. Jane Ross. Local and distinguished contributors have come together from various life journies, to share their heart about what their lives in this area have grown into. Each reflection winds, mirroring the River that pulls them together, in and through adversity. At the same time, each offering reveals deep seated joy.
An amazing and touching book - I could relate to all the Aboriginal beliefs. I felt like I had met him and his kids at the end of the book. It brought me to tears, really. Now Banjo lives more than ever through this publication even after his death.Nadema Agard, New York City, Native America artist/writer and author of Southeastern Native Arts Directory, of Camilla Chance's Wisdom Man: Banjo Clarke. Click on the photo of Wisdom Man to learn more about Banjo Clarke. The button below links to: Far Corner Of a Strange Empire Central Alberta On the Eve Of Homestead Settlement, written by William C. Wonders of the University of Alberta. |
Rare Books and Literary Artifacts:
Many local and prairie history books are rare and beautiful. It takes a wise soul to write and capture life, as it hides itself in quiet, ordinary unfolding. Hidden in the midst of the some of books noted below, you will find hours of intrigue and foundational knowledge, as place based exploration takes centre stage. Since many of these books are hundreds of years old though, the reader should be aware: like tares in a wheat fields, some pages hold examples of language that is diminishing to Indigenous and Metis culture. Critical engagement with some of the singular perspectives will be called for.
The books below may be seen, and handled carefully, at the Camrose & District Centennial Museum. Some are also available at the County office, and the Camrose Heritage Railway Station & Park.
The books below may be seen, and handled carefully, at the Camrose & District Centennial Museum. Some are also available at the County office, and the Camrose Heritage Railway Station & Park.
Click on the photo of Battle River Country: The History of Duhamel and Area to hear Stan Trautman reflect on some of the contributing authors, and members of the Duhamel Historic Society.
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The "Library & Archives" photo to the left was taken at the Camrose Heritage Railway Station. This is one of two lending libraries available there. The station also has a growing collection of community member's memoirs, and offers first person re-enactments.
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"I Remember When: Autobiography by George Quesseth
uThis memoire is a must read. It gives a first person account of what life was like for some Settler families. The type written script may not offer the most visually appealing invitation, but the strong and evocative writing style will have you hooked before your tea has time to cool. Within these pages, you'll find tales of young men, roaming the country side in their teens, of families splintered, and re-united; of expansion and great loss. On every page, the Pioneer spirit shines.
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The placard above (photo credit: Dr. Claudine Louis), mentions the same inn that Quesseth stayed at, on route to his new life! Even though reading online may be a bit of a pain, I promise the memoire is worth putting up with a few techy quirks. Go ahead, click away.
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Place Based Adventures & Recollections:
How could we not take a moment, or a thousand, to celebrate Canadian author & activist, Farley Mowat? Actually, in a way, Camrose County might take a tiny little bit of credit for Mowat's spectacular life. Roll with me, for just a moment. As it happens, one of our early settlers was a gentleman named Frank Farley. Mr. Farely was a naturalist, and conservationist, who was quite inspired by the flora, fauna, and bird life of Camrose County! We have some of his writings in the Camrose & District Centennial Museum, in fact. He was the original Park warden for our local nature conservatory, at Miquelon Lake! Frank actively lobbied the government to recognize Miquelon Lake for the bird sanctuary it is.
In many ways, the life of Farley Mowat, being the great nephew of Frank Farley, may be seen as an extension of a work began generations before. Frank Farely laid the foundation for Mowat, passing on a heritage of careful stewardship, care and conservation. You can hear more of these connections, as told by researcher Heather Marshall, in the "FARLEY CONNECTIONS" tabs here, or on the "Augustana Miquelon Lake Research Centre" page, located under the Natural Heritage tab. |
Farley Mowat is pictured below, courtesy of www.cbc.ca
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Rudy Weibe simply must not escape a collection of prairie based writing! For over half of a century, Weibe has introduced his readers to Indigenous, Mennonite and Settler cultures that intertwine and exist here in the Canadian West.