Prairie Twins: Alberta and Saskatchewan Photographic Memories, 1905–2005

Patricia A. Myers is a historian at the Historic Sites and Archives
Service, Alberta Community Development. She is the author of Sky Riders:
An Illustrated History of Aviation in Alberta, 1906–1945 and
Preserving Women’s History.

Through photographs and vignettes, this small book attempts to create a
sense that Alberta and Saskatchewan have shared a historical experience
because they share a birthday.

The book is divided into the sorts of topics common to this type of
nostalgic publication: Building Towns and Communities, Old and New
Industries, Lighter Side of Life, Prairie at War, and Sporting World.
Unfortunately, much of the narrative seems forced, and much of it is
patronizing or inaccurate. Early cattle mange and very recent BSE appear
together. Mounties’ wives (none identified) are described as
witnessing the transformation of the prairies, identified as changes in
fashions, child-rearing practices, and home appliances, a rather odd
list that seems to argue the women could see no further than their front
doors. The oldest industries and businesses are identified as the fur
trade, and prospecting for minerals, principally gold. According to
Holt, homesteaders covered the southern prairie with soddies.

Generic statements clutter the narrative. Urban growth, for example,
“offered opportunities for professionals and experienced trades
people, but also created jobs for young and old, married and unmarried,
men and women of all skill levels.” Sources for interpretive
statements—such as the author’s contention that “many homesteaders
were surprised to find no houses on their land—are not provided.
Problems with chronology make other sections confusing. A photograph of
schoolchildren in 1915 Bruderheimer [sic] is captioned with information
about the generic north in 1948, and 11- and 16-year-olds who quit
school because their parents thought earning an income was more
important.

There are some engaging photos here, such as the tent that was the
polling station in Fort Qu’Appelle for the 1904 federal election, and
the costumed cast of the Queen of Hearts, a drama production staged in
Red Deer in 1907. But they are not enough to save this book.