In 2021, the Heritage Community Investment Program has continued to evolve to meet the needs of the community. The Project Accelerator Grant, having concentrated on digital content last year, has become more inclusive, re-establishing broader eligibility to support the wide variety of work that continues to be possible despite the many challenges of the pandemic.
We also introduced the new Research & Planning Grant, providing essential funding to individuals and organizations to complete preliminary research and planning activities towards larger heritage projects.
Congratulations and happy heritage-ing to the latest group of recipients funded through the Project Accelerator Grant as well as the first recipients of the Research & Planning Grant.
Project Accelerator Grant
Craig Baird – Edmonton Rural Heritage
Through a podcast and YouTube channel, Baird will create episodes that highlight the rural history of Edmonton around the city – off the beaten track places that have unique and deep history that people would be interested in on a day trip near the city. The episodes will highlight places within thirty minutes of Edmonton City limits.
Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve Association – Establishing a Photo Laureate and Historian Laureate
The Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve Association (BHBRA) will become the first Canadian Biosphere to establish Historian Laureate and Photo Laureate positions. These unique positions will further the organization’s efforts to capture and tell the rich and diverse natural and cultural stories of the biosphere and will ensure that every Edmontonian is aware of and connected to this place.
Edmonton Movie Club – Oh Canada: A Documentary
Oh Canada is a documentary that will explore the lives of various Indo-Canadians who came to Edmonton in the 60s/70s/80s/90s/2000s and share how they succeeded in a new country.
Yong Fei Guan – Goji Paradise II
Guan will continue to research a series of heritage plants and advance plans to plant 99 Goji berry trees as a symbol of Chinese heritage in Treaty 6. This project will be presented at The Works Art & Design Festival 2021 and will also include creation of a small booklet on the history of goji berries in Edmonton. The goal of the project is to recognize and celebrate multicultural heritage that co-exists with nature.
Rebecca Lippiatt – Edmonton in the Time of COVID: Wave 2 and Website Design
This project is a collection of stories and photographs that will tell the story of how a North Central Edmonton community navigated the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. This material will allow Edmontonians to reflect upon the pandemic and provide a sense of understanding of how we journeyed through this historical event. The website will share and disseminate stories for both Edmontonians and researchers.
Omar Mouallem – The Last Baron
This project will complete post-production on a documentary about the legacy of Lebanese Albertans manifested through Burger Baron – a fast-food chain with a quirky cult following and mysterious origins. Produced by Back Road Productions with support from CBC Absolutely Alberta, The Last Baron promises to be informative, entertaining, educational, and endearing.
Clare Mullen – When Tony and Edmonton Were Young
This project will capture the spirit, vitality, ingenuity and possibilities of 100 years of Edmonton through the eyes and voice of Tony Cashman. This project will create a documentary on the author, playwright, historian, radio host and reporter, Second World War veteran, Alberta Order of Excellence (AOE) recipient, and Edmonton treasure.
Ana Ruiz Aguirre – YEG, Inked
The historical record pertaining to the local tattoo industry is limited, illustrating a gap in knowledge. Ruiz Aguirre will write a research-based essay examining the history of tattooing as a cultural practice in Edmonton and document the process through photography. She will publish two versions of this essay (in English and Spanish) and a selection of photographs in Beyond the Gallery – Laberinto Press’ upcoming bilingual anthology.
Research & Planning Grant
Miranda Jimmy – Research & Planning for Local MMIW Podcast
Funding will support the research, planning, and development of a locally-produced podcast on missing and murdered Indigenous women in Edmonton. Research will include connecting with family and friends of the women and interviewing grassroots advocates and law enforcement involved in the cases. Planning will include technical skill training on podcast production along with episode design for future development of a podcast series.
Fawnda Mithrush – Kathak, Hopak, Hip Hop: Culture and Celebration Through Dance in Edmonton
Funding will support the research phase for a 2022 podcast series documenting dance heritage, celebrations, and traditions in Edmonton, tentatively titled “Kathak, Hopak, Hip Hop.”
Richard Wood – Edmonton Culinary History Project
This project will explore Edmonton’s heritage by examining the role of specialty markets, stores, food trucks, and restaurants in the settlement of immigrant communities. It will study the way food facilitates integration into Canadian society.
Watch edmontonheritage.ca/grants to keep current on HCIP updates and deadlines.