Alberta Farm and Ranch Women 2009-2014
Alberta Farm and Ranch Women is a tribute to the remarkable women shaping the present and contemplating the uncertain future of rural culture in Alberta. These women, driven by passion and initiative, confront challenges head-on with the unwavering determination to create a better life for their families and communities. Employing various artistic mediums such as painting, sound, video, and photography, I aimed to capture the intimate moments of rural life and establish a profound connection to Alberta's agricultural history. I grew up in the farming communities of Camrose and Stettler, surrounded by independent women with strong work ethics. Rural women endure various hardships and face numerous challenges, including isolation, wildlife encounters, harsh climates, unpredictable weather, and vast landscapes. This project strove to understand the changes in farming communities, as well as acknowledge how they wish to be represented. These women are not famous, but their everyday work and sacrifices contribute significantly to our well-being.
As the project progressed, I came to realize the vital importance of the agriculture industry in Alberta and the invaluable contributions of rural women to its development. The challenges and uncertainties of farm life have also become more apparent. The changing dynamics of farming, it has become necessary for both husbands and wives to seek additional employment opportunities to support the farm. This prompts me to wonder about the future of farming practices, regulations, and its implications on the cost and accessibility of food. The rapid expansion of box stores into the scenic rural landscapes of Alberta is a testament to these difficulties. I found myself asking if Alberta's identity can be redefined and will there be family farms and ranches? Will the unwavering pioneering spirit that has defined Alberta continue, should it?
This project is influenced by the stories of my great-grandmothers, Agnes Saunders (from Carnwood, Alberta) and Florence Dahl (from Camrose, Alberta). Agnes left her home in England in 1927 to join my great-grandfather, who had immigrated to Canada seven years earlier, embarking on a farming adventure in the wilderness of Alberta. Florence, on the other hand, was a trailblazer, owning and operating her own business, Camrose Draperies, until her retirement in 1976. While reflecting on their lives, their challenges, and their joys, I became acutely aware of the scarcity of photographs and documentation capturing their stories. I often think about their challenges, their joys, if they would have chosen different paths and ultimately how would they feel about farming and life today. Photographs are precious, besides our memories and the re-telling of stories, photographs link us to family and history. There are very few photos of my great grandmothers and little documentation about their lives. This realization ignited my determination to preserve the lives of rural women in the province that has always been my home.
We are indebted to these visionary, determined, and action-oriented women, whose contributions deserve our deepest gratitude and recognition. Through the exploration and documentation of today's farming culture, using portraiture and sound recordings, we have the opportunity to pause and contemplate the future of farming, the evolving landscape. This endeavour serves as a poignant reminder of how easily history can be forgotten, question how can we preserve the land and acknowledge this influence on the future. I wish to express my sincere acknowledgement that the Alberta Farm and Ranch Women project took place on Treaty 6, 7, and 8 lands. Hiy Hiy.
