Subjects: History

William Quarrier, a successful Scottish businessman began a program of caring for street children that, in 1874, led to the establishment of the Orphan Homes of Scotland. During the next fifty years, some 7000 of these children were sent to Canada to begin new lives. This program is their story. Four seniors, orphaned children who were part of that emigration to a strange and far away land, recount their experiences. Their memories start with the long boat trip over the Atlantic. It was a voyage that mixed fear and seasickness with the excitement about the adventures to be faced in a strange land.

Compelling stories drawn from one of the centuries most harrowing events – the Great Depression. In this program, four seniors recall the poverty; homelessness; soup lines and relief camps that characterized their lives during this period. However, while circumstances were difficult, often in the extreme, each of the seniors also recalls the sense of community and sharing that helped to make life bearable.

They laboured in the factories and enlisted in the services, often serving overseas. They made a significant contribution to the War effort, and their lives were changed and would never be the same – they thought. While the horrors of war and the loss of loved ones are remembered, many working women also recall this as period of unparalleled freedom and camaraderie. And yet when the war ended, career expectations and hopes were discouraged. The jobs they had done so well were given back to the men, while they and other women were strongly encouraged to return to the traditional roles of mother and wife.

Immigration and multiculturalism, citizenship and discrimination – themes emerging from the vivid memories of four immigrants. Each from different cultures, emigrating to a strange, far-away land, they recall hopes, dreams, and the difficult realities encountered during the process of cultural assimilation and the achievement of citizenship and pride their adopted home – Canada.

Women as a minority, lacking even the most basic rights of citizenship, cultural and economic? Hard to believe, but not until 1929 and the famous Person’s Case were women legally recognized as human beings entitled to vote and to rights separate from those enjoyed by their husbands. Through the fascinating memories of four seniors – all female activists, this show explores the effect of the Person’s case and the long, ensuing fight for women’s equality in multicultural Canada.

Residential Schools, the term conjures up a history of abuse for Canada’s First-Nation peoples – poignant reminders of the cultural and citizenship issues under investigation in the press, courts and Government. Their own language forbidden; constantly told their culture was inferior; subjected to physical and psychological abuse, four seniors (male and female) remember the cruel lessons absorbed during their “school days.”