Elroy Deimert, the author of the recently published Pubs, Pulpits, and Prairie Fires, a book based on the events of the On To Ottawa Trek

and the Regina Riot is organizing the 75th Anniversary Trek Project, cooperating with some historical societies and unions in Vancouver, Kamloops, Regina, Calgary, Moose Jaw, etc. to celebrate these events, stopping at all the cities and towns where the Trekkers stayed, from Vancouver to Regina.  There will be a 60 minute program of a quick historical summary of the Trek with archival photos, and a multi-media presentation, honouring of surviving trekkers or eye-witnesses or children of Trekkers, and some special live music appropriate to the story, some union anthems and folksongs made famous by the Trekkers and the labour movement of that era.

Director Alan Segal of Outpost Productions and a small team of first-class professionals will accompany Mr. Deimert on the road, filming a documentary of the celebrations, the historical Railway stations, interviewing veterans and eyewitnesses of the Trek and the Riot, as well as eliciting reaction to this celebration of history from present day citizens.  They will also record the marches, tours of historic sites, and other celebrations planned by local groups and artists, especially in Vancouver and Regina.

Please note that TWU members attending these free events must do so at their own personal time and expense.

The Trek Project Schedule:

-    June 9, Calgary: 7:30 p.m.
Amalgamated Transit Union Hall,
2nd Floor 5325-1A Street SW. 
Two short blocks east off Macleod Trail
(Celebration, multi-media presentation and music)

-    June 10, Calgary: 2 p.m.
Engaging a High School Drama class or two to mount an old boxcar in period dress for filming in Heritage Park 15th St. S. (old Steam Engine etc).

-    June 11, Medicine Hat: 1:30 p.m.
Drama classes to meet at the downtown parking lot across from the CPR station ---re-enactment vignettes

-    June 11, Medicine Hat: 7:00 p.m.
Medicine Hat Library Theatre,
414 1st St. SE,
(Celebration, multi-media presentation, music)

-    June 12, Swift Current: 4:00 p.m.
Lyric Theatre
227 Central Ave. North.
Trek Project includes celebration, multi-media presentation, & music.  Possibility of drama students marching to theatre.

-    June 13, Moose Jaw: 11:30 a.m.
Moose Jaw Union Centre Hall,
1402 Caribou Street West, Moose Jaw
Hobo lunch for a toonie and at 12:30 p.m. the Trek Project: (Celebration, multi-media presentation and music.)

-    June 13, Regina: 6:00 p.m.
Garnet Dishaw of U of Regina professors tour
Market Square and Riot sites.

-    June 14, Regina: 7:00 p.m.
Turvey Centre.
A mile north of Regina just off Highway 6 North, at Armour Road. 
Trek Project program, short documentary on the Regina Riot, music entertainment.

Filming will take place at all sites and all events.


For more information, please contact Dr. Elroy Deimert, Trek Project coordinator, Grande Prairie City Councillor, at sdeimert@telusplanet.net.