An Interpretation
The Project/feedback
by Catherine C. Cole
An Edmonton committee has been formed to research the history of GWG in Edmonton, from the founding of the company in 1911 to the final days of the GWG brand being produced locally for Levis in February 2004.
The objectives of this project are to:
• Create a collection of audio/video interviews with former GWG and Levis employees.
• Preserve the history of GWG through a fresh examination of historical sources and through videotaped interviews with former GWG and Levis workers.
. Prepare a research report that will be used as the basis for a number of interpretive presentations for Edmonton's centennial celebrations in October 2004.
. Develop a travelling exhibition about the history of GWG.
Do you have stories to share about your memories of GWG, either as a former worker at the plant or someone who wore, sold, or now collects GWGs? If so, we'd love to hear from you.
Please contact: GreatWesternGarmentCo@telus.net
Acknowledgements
In February 2003, a group of people with different interests in the history of GWG got together to explore the possibility of a project that would celebrate its long history in Edmonton within the context of the 2004 centennial. Don Bouzek of Ground Zero, brought together Lan Chan-Marples whose mother and cousins had worked at the plant, Linda Goyette, who was working on the City Called Home website, and Catherine C. Cole, whose MA thesis in history centred on GWG's early years.
With the support of the Alberta Labour History Institute, over the next year the project was fleshed out. Additional collaborators joined the team in the form of Professor Tara Fenwick and graduate student Joan Schiebelbein from the University of Alberta, and initial funding was secured.
Prior to the closure of the plant in March 2004, Levis Human Resources Manager Heather Majeau and Production Manager Alan Sugiyama were cooperative in providing access to the plant for documentation purposes and introducing employees to include in the oral interviews.
As well as agreeing to be interviewed themselves, Local 120 President Josephina _____ and Janet Cardinal kindly provided access to union records, minutes, photographs and artifacts and provided names of former employees to contact.
Particular thanks are due to the former GWG and Levis employees who were interviewed during this research.
Partners
Alberta Labour History Institute
Catherine C. Cole & Associates, heritage consultants
Ground Zero Productions
University of Alberta
Funders
The Edmonton Community Foundation
Museums Alberta and the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation through funds provided by the Alberta Government from its Lottery revenues
University of Alberta, HSSFA grant