As preparations for the Worlds in Edmonton reached a feverish pitch, another celebration of courage, heroism and endurance was being staged directly across the street from one of the Worlds’ hubs of activity - at the Stanley Milner Library. This event wasn’t measuring milliseconds or centimetres. It was instead turning our attention to people who have toiled and struggled for generations to build this Province. This was the first annual Alberta Labour History Day.

The event was sponsored by the newly formed Alberta Labour History Institute (ALHI). The Institute is made up of labour activists, academics, seniors and others who are passionate about preserving and telling the story of working people around the Province.

The event which included a display of photos and documents, walking tours, a series of discussions, debates and entertainment, began with a press conference hosted by Neil Reimer, a long-time participant in many struggles for social justice. He gave context to the many photos, union banners and charters on display at the Milner Library.

Participants were treated to lively and informative discussions, such as the "voices of the Edmonton working class," which was co-hosted by long-time labour activist and former President of the AFL, Dave Werlin. Doug Tomlinson also gave a colourful account of the early organizing struggles Alberta unions.

A special focus of this year’s event was the 1932 Edmonton Hunger Strike. The remarkable story of the Hunger Strike was told by the equally remarkable 94 year-old Harry Strynadka, a life-long activist who was a university student at the time of the protest. ALHI member Eugene Plawiuk evoked images of the massive Hunger Strike during his entertaining and informative walking tours around downtown Edmonton.

Other discussions included a fascinating presentation by University of Athabasca labour historian, Alvin Finkel who provided a political context to early Alberta labour history.

Another lively panel discussion looked at the origins of the New Democrats in Alberta from the perspectives of organizers and activists who were involved in founding the party.

Finally, local singer songwriter Maria Dunn honored the event by performing a series of labour/work songs that she and other local musicians and songwriters have crafted during workshops sponsored by the Edmonton District Labour Council.

This was the first time this event has been staged and organizers plan to make it an annual event, which will tie-in with Edmonton History Week. This event provides an excellent opportunity for the labour movement to tell its’ stories beyond the usual audience, of the everyday heroes who built and continue to build the labour movement and our province.

 To contact the Alberta Labour History Institute call Dave Werlin at (780) 483-8999.