Though easily the most common form of body modification, the history of piercings often proves as subtle as the jewelry itself. Archaeological records suggest that humans have been piercing themselves for at least 5,000 years, often starting with the earlobe. Cultures worldwide have long used piercings to denote social characteristics or sacred rites. Piercing of the skin was often, though not always, a component of the Sundance ceremonies practiced by various Plains peoples which was the Canadian government’s main justification for outlawing the practice for decades. Due to the tenacity of many Indigenous communities, this information remains, and piercing Sundances are still performed today.

Pierced ears didn’t become common among colonial populations until the 1950s and 1960s; an odd fact, given how many vintage sets of earrings date back much earlier. Many of these, however, were clip-on earrings, featuring a screwing mechanism at the back that allowed wearers to adjust its grip. While ear-piercing kiosks wouldn’t strike Canadian malls until the 1980s, earlier Lethbridgians hoping for lobe piercings had a multitude of options.

Several local jewelers and department stores began offering ear piercing services through the 1960s, and those looking for a sterile environment could have it done at a clinic. The two were sometimes at odds, with several Herald articles debating the importance of sterile environments and registered professionals. Safety eventually won out, as evidenced by Woolco’s sudden weekly advertisements of a “registered RN” to complete ear piercings.

Of course, these were the complicated routes. Many children used to pierce their earlobes with only an ice cube and a sewing needle, a practice that is now considered questionable. This do-it-yourself attitude was only amplified as alternative subcultures gained traction in the 1970s, through which other forms of facial and body piercing became popular. One particularly judgmental advice column, published in the Herald in 1970, says of a teenage boy who hoped to have his nose pierced: “Since his father hasn’t noticed [he’s] wearing an earring, he probably hasn’t noticed [he] needs professional help, either.”

As a collective, however, Lethbridge didn’t reach such metropolitan extremes. One panicked 1976 article, initially published in the New York Times, claimed that teens everywhere were piercing their ears “three or four times” each. A local follow-up, published later that year, spoke to local beauty boutique manager Falene Roberts: “There aren’t many people around here who come in to have it done. It’s really popular down in the States, though.”

Whether this topic catches your interest and you’d like to learn more, or you’re interested in another subject entirely, the Galt Museum Archives is a great place to start. Visit galtmuseum.com/research to search our records or book an appointment.