This site based on Royal Alberta Museum exhibition April 10 to June 6 1999
revised October 20, 2008 This page will take a few seconds to load: it is being repaired.
A hearty welcome from the individuals
below,
each of whom you could meet every day on the streets of Edmonton.
This project was undertaken initially in 1997/98.
A second version in 2008 click here found the same state of affairs in Edmonton
and, in this case, it takes only three photos to illustrate that such is the case.
To enlarge these pictures, simply click on any of them.
December 23, 1997, 7:20 pm, -3C
Just north of Eaton Centre, Edmonton, AB.
Age: 45
Favourite Book: any Stephen King Favourite movie: Dances with Wolves
Favourite City: Aklavik Born: Inuvik
School: Fort Smith High School and Drumheller Institution
Worst event: charged and convicted of manslaughter
January 2, 1999, 2:00 pm, sunny -17C
Age: 19
Family: is a single mother with daughter one and a half years old
Favourite: The Gift by Danielle Steele
Favourite Movie: Sister Act Favourite Pastime: Music
Favourite City: Edmonton Favourite Bird: Hawk
School: Breamar School
Most troublesome thing that ever happened:
"Most recently troublesome thing is just being a single mom, no grade 12,
no job.
Living each day with very little money
never knowing if I'll have enough to pay everything."
Note: She and her daughter live on $578 a month.
When younger
"Nurse was my first choice because its in the family
but would love a career in travelling, maybe a reporter."
January 20, 1999, 2:50 pm, -12C
Age: 27
Family: daughter - age 9, son - age 6, daughter - age 5 Favourite book: Sidney
Sheldon any book
Favourite Movie: Action Movies Favourite Pastime: relaxing at home, cleaning
house Favourite City: Winnipeg
School: Bonny Doon High School, grade 10, 1988
Most troublesome thing that ever happened: "Losing my kids"
Note: all her children live elsewhere
Comments: She has no fixed address and spends nights with friends,
such as M.C. with whom she stayed recently for several months.
December 18, 1997, 2:45 pm, -6C.
At 92 Ave. and 116 St., Edmonton.
He was on his way to do business on the south side.
Did not wish to provide any other information.
December 19, 1997, 7:30 pm, -6C
outside the Edmonton Centre, Edmonton
Age: 47
Comment: It was a cold night - get's inside you
December 23, 1997, 8:45 pm, -3C
Selling "Our Voice" papers. At Whyte Ave. and 104 St. Edmonton
Age: 46
Favourite Book: Power of Positive Thinking. Favourite Movie: Twister. School:
Lloydminster Composite High School
Comment: Is also an independent distributor of health foods. Has no worst events
to speak of.
December 30, 1997, Noon, +2C
Panhandling outside Scotia Place. On Rice Howard Way, Edmonton
Age: 27
Favourite Book: Math. Favourite Movie: Spawn.
Worst event: once charged with assault. School: L.Y. Cairns School, Edmonton
Comment: Originally from Victoria.
Does not know who his parents were
December 31, 1997, 10 am, +1C
Outside the Brownlee Building at 104 St. Edmonton.
On his way to get food at a shelter.
Age: 35
School: Muskwacheese College.
Worst event: car accident that killed a friend.
December 30, 1997, 2:50 pm, -1C "Volunteering art work"
Age: 18
Favourite Book: Fear, Loathing, and Los Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson Favourite
Pastime: "Isn't it obvious."
School: Centre High, a returning grade 12 student.
Comment: Was very reluctant to give any other information.
With two others: "The owner asked us to do this ... really."
December 24, 1997, +1C
Age: 22
Family: None in Edmonton. Favourite Book: Martyrs in the Mist.
Favourite Movie: Mouse Hunt. Schools: Sussex Regional High School, Sussex, NB.
Grade 12.
Comment: "Have lived in Edmonton for about 4 years."
Homeless but sleeps by "couch surfing at night."
December 4, 1998, 11 am, -18C Volunteering with Poverty in Action
Age: 43
Family: Daughter Favourite Book: Hidden Year.
Favourite City: Hamilton, Montana. Favourite Pastime: going for coffee. Schools:
St. Joseph's High School and Technical Institute, 1995
Most troublesome thing that ever happened: Becoming disabled. It was a slow and
unexpected process.
Comment: "I know that I have a right to live decently."
December 15, 1998, 2:00 pm, -25C Director, Philia Advocacy Group
Has worked as a paralegal and now does workshops for families of violence.
Age: 60
Family: has a son and daughter.
All family members live other than Edmonton.
Favourite Book: Stolen Life by Rudy Weibe and Yvonne Johnson.
Favourite Movie: Forrest Gump. Favourite Pastime: reading/writing.
Favourite City: Sylvan Lake, AB. Schools: Grade 10, Daniel McIntyre Collegiate,
Winnipeg, Man.
Comment: Has suffered from chronic pain and arthritis since she was about 30.
Health led to her losing her house and depleting her stamina.
"Always wanted a huge building to take in young people
that nobody loved or who were in trouble."
December 23, 1998, 1:45 pm, -17C
Executive Director of Poverty in Action
Age: 34
Family: Two sons, boyfriend, 7 step children, 6 step grandchildren.
Favourite Movie: Breakfast Club.
School: Alberta Vocational College, 1994
Most troublesome thing that ever happened: "The ongoing struggles of being
a single mom,
having worked low income jobs, learning to be a mother, (not being a mom while
working)."
Comments: "I wanted to learn about the connections in the community,
after finding it difficult ...
I knew I would have to do something myself in 1996.
I got together ... dedicated people to help organize the 1997
Western Canadian Poor Peoples' Conference."
"1997 received 1st Honorary Diploma
(from Grant MacEwan Community College) for the community work I've done."
December 19, 1998, 10:00 pm, -30C
Organizer for Poverty in Action
Age: 33
Family: Husband, daughter, three sons. Favourite Book: Weave world.
Favourite Movie: Oliver! Favourite Pastime: "Spending time with my
family."
Favourite City: Toronto. Favourite Bird: Dove.
School: Hotel and Restaurant Management, New Brunswick Community College, St.
Andrews
Most troublesome thing that ever happened: "Losing mother to cancer."
Comments: "What brought me to Poverty in Action was the need
and desire to work towards change in policies and attitudes
that affect people who live in poverty."
"Being a person who has a great deal of faith,
I wanted to share a message of hope with others.
I learned many years ago never to give up ... by working together we can make a
difference."
January 20, 1999, 1:00 pm, sunny -11C
Works downtown
Age: 34
Family: is the eldest of 5, most living in New Brunswick.
Favourite Book: Mr. God, this is Anna talking.
Favourite Movie: Forrest Gump. Favourite Pastime: Athletics.
Favourite City: St. John, NB. (the ocean) Favourite Bird: Robin
School: Grade 12, St John High School, 1982.
Currently taking correspondence courses.
Most troublesome thing that ever happened: "Poverty. Family poor when I was
growing up."
January 20, 1999, 2:45 pm, -12C
Age: 45
Family: does not know any of her roots.
She was a "foster child from day one."
Favourite Movie: Lady sings the blues. Favourite Pastime: ------
Favourite City: Edmonton. Favourite Bird: Eagle
School: Grade 11, McNally High School, Edmonton. 1969
Most troublesome thing that ever happened: "Abuse in foster homes."
When in school wanted to be a Social worker.
Sponsors of
this exhibition at Edmonton City Hall and Provincial Museum of Alberta:
Alberta
Foundation for the Arts
Royal Alberta Museum (Edmonton),
Parkland Institute - University of Alberta
All Images used with permission and © D. Wall. These photographs may not be copied.