Are you interested in the history of this place? Do you enjoy writing, researching, or storytelling? Is there a story from our city’s past or your past in the city that you want to share? Then contribute your local history or heritage story to the Edmonton City as Museum Project (ECAMP).
ECAMP is an initiative of the Edmonton Heritage Council that explores our city’s history & heritage through story. For 2021, ECAMP is soliciting new stories for our online collection. Stories will be published on the ECAMP website from January through June 2021. Story contributors will be paid for their work.
For 2021, priority will be given to stories and story contributors historically excluded from representations of Edmonton’s past, such as Indigenous and racialized peoples, members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, & later twentieth-century newcomers.
What kinds of stories?
ECAMP shares stories about the People, Places, Things, & Moments significant to the history of Edmonton & Edmontonians, such as:
- The Weather Woman of the West: Eda Owen and the Highlands Dominion Meteorological Station
- Ah-Yin’s Chinese Persons’ Street or Amy’s Chinatown
- McKernan’s Lost Lake
- The Curious Case of the 1908 Enoch Surrender
For 2021, ECAMP is particularly interested in stories that explore:
- Indigenous perspectives on the history of this place; stories of resurgence, revival, and resilience.
- Neighbourhood histories; the story behind named places like parks, schools, and roadways, the histories of places you pass every day in your community, or what existed & persisted neighbourhood development.
- YEG Arrivals: Getting Here & Being Here. A city is made of its people, and many Edmontonians came to our city from somewhere else. Stories of migration are essential to the story of Edmonton.
Those interested in contributing to ECAMP may submit a pitch for up to 5 stories relevant to the Edmonton’s history and cultural heritage. The ECAMP Curator is available to help develop story ideas and provide advice throughout the process. Do not hesitate to reach out.
Who can contribute to ECAMP?
ECAMP explores the multifaceted history & cultural heritage of Edmonton from the perspective of Edmontonians. Anyone with an interest or experience in writing, researching, storytelling, history or cultural heritage is encouraged to contribute. We welcome both seasoned and emerging writers & researchers.
What are the expectations?
ECAMP stories are between 1000-1500 words. Stories can be one-off articles or a series of posts exploring a single topic or theme.
The development of a new ECAMP story is a dynamic process. Prior to publication, stories will be reviewed by the ECAMP Curator and an Editor who will make suggestions.
Each story includes at least three images. Photos may be personal photos, or they can be archival photos from museums and archives. ECAMP will cover any fees for archival images. Stories may also contain embedded audio and video content from the Internet, as long as story contributors have written permission.
Payment
Payment takes place after the final draft has been submitted to the ECAMP Curator at a rate of $0.40/word. Payment is based on the word count as published.
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted between August 15 and September 15, 2020. ECAMP accepts applications in a variety of formats (written submissions, audio or video recordings, or virtual meetings.) Written submissions should be 1-2 pages in length and submitted as a single PDF. Recorded or virtual “in-person” submissions should be between 5-10 minutes in length.
Applications should include:
- Your contact information (email address, mailing address, & phone number);
- A brief description of your writing, researching or storytelling experience;
- A brief description of the stories you would like to share relevant to the history & cultural heritage of this place, for example:
- Nellie Mildred Carlson – a founding member and first president of Indian Rights for Indian Women, fought the federal government so that Indigenous women who married non-status Indian men could retain their First Nations status.
To submit an application, schedule a virtual “in-person” submission, or to ask a question, please contact the ECAMP Curator, Christina Hardie.
Project Contact
Christina Hardie, ECAMP Curator
E: info@citymuseumedmonton.ca
T: 780-429-0166 ext. 223
PR1999.465/268-2 (1969): Eugene Steinhauer interviews Stan Daniels, two of the founders of the Alberta Native Communications Society. Image courtesy of the Provincial Archives of Alberta. 
a pink ECAMP banner outside of the Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre, Sept. 2019. 
Al Rashid Mosque ca. 1940. Image courtesy of the City of Edmonton Archives A98-55.