Lethbridge—From cross-cultural resilience to adventures in art, local music to country gardens, a variety of history-based topics are planned at the Galt Museum & Archives from May 6 through August 19 as part of the Wednesdays at the Galt program. The series is designed for ages 55+ and held on the first and third Wednesday from 2–3 pm; admission includes Discovery Hall access.

MAY 06 | My Hard Road to Healing, Vision, and Leadership

Ruth Scalp Lock, AwoTaanaakii (Shield Woman), spent her early childhood on the Blackfoot Nation east of Calgary followed by years in Residential School. Ruth will share her story of personal and cultural loss and the process of spiritual awakening and healing, leading to her emergence as a model of cross-cultural resilience.

MAY 20 | Music and Stories with Floyd Sillito

Local musician and former member of the CFCN Old Timers, Floyd Sillito, will be joined by Alice Tinordi and Gladys Rushfeldt to play songs from a variety of genres including old country and western, swing, old time polka and waltzes, calypso and big band. Floyd will also share some photos and stories from his musical career.

JUN 03 | Wildflowers of Waterton Park

Get a taste of summer with a multimedia presentation featuring a mix of wildflowers, scenery, wild creatures, and trails of Waterton Park. View beautiful images, enjoy the music and learn more about wildflowers and photography. Presented by Ian Wilson and Jacinthe Lavoie, authors of Wildflowers of Waterton Park.

JUN 17 | Sharing the Legacy of Miss Edith Fanny Kirk: Exhibit Tour

Miss Edith Kirk was a woman of adventure and courage. She chose to become an artist and art teacher early in life and spent years studying at prestigious art schools in England and France. Her art encouraged Miss Kirk to seek special places to live and paint throughout England, France and Canada (including Lethbridge). Her legacy of adventure and art intrigued Curator Wendy Aitkens who will share what she has learned about Miss Kirk through her own research and travel.

JUL 01 | No program

participate in our Canada Day celebrations instead!

JUL 15 | Country Houses and Gardens of Southern Alberta

Local author Jim Asplund takes you on a visual exploration and explanation of beautiful country houses and gardens of southern Alberta. He will also discuss the importance of rivers in southern Alberta and their connection to country gardens.

AUG 05 | Squirrel Whiskey, Mr. R. and Prohibition in Southern Alberta

Join Belinda Crowson, local historian, as she shares material she has found researching for a new book she’s writing on Lethbridge history. Everything in the title and more will be explained at the presentation.

AUG 19 | Virtual Downtown Walking Tour

Join us for a presentation that will take you on virtual walking tour of downtown Lethbridge! View archival and current photos and learn the stories behind a selection of historic buildings located in downtown Lethbridge.

Admission for Wednesdays at the Galt is $5 per program for seniors [60+], $6 for adults, and includes exhibit access; registration is not required. The program is free for annual pass holders; annual passes are available at the Museum Store for $20 [seniors] and $25 [adults]. For details visit www.galtmuseum.com, call 403.320.3954, or email info@galtmuseum.com.

Speaker Biographies

Wed MAY 06 | My Hard Road to Healing, Vision, and Leadership

Ruth Scalp Lock, AwoTaanaakii (Shield Woman) was born on the Siksika reserve east of Calgary and raised in her traditional culture. As a young child she was placed in the Indian Residential School, where she suffered much abuse. She survived that experience and the following years of addiction and violence. In 1974, she experienced a spiritual reawakening and chose a healing path. She worked in many helping places until she had a vision to address the legacy of her people, working for many years to establish a shelter for Aboriginal women based on a cultural approach. Ruth has been elected as a Band Councillor for 18 years. She has developed into the role of a healer, community builder, and Elder, and continues to work on the front line of family violence and as a spokeswoman for Aboriginal people. She is a voice for cross cultural understanding, and forgiveness as the beginning of healing the past and building the future.

Wed MAY 20 | Music and Stories with Floyd Sillito

Local musician Floyd Sillito toured in the ‘50s and ‘60s and played with some of the biggest country musicians of the day, including Faron Young and Slim Whitman. From 1955-1961 he was a member of the band the Old Timers which played on CFCN radio. He has been keeping traditional country music alive for many years and recorded a CD of some of his favorite old country songs. He plays regularly around Lethbridge including at the Lethbridge Public Library and at numerous seniors centres. Bio via LA Beat. According to Floyd, Alice Tinordi is “an accomplished accordionist who performs with a lot of different groups in the city and at a number of venues”; Gladys Rushfeldt is “a local musician who plays the snare drum and is always willing to perform and to display her personality at any performance.”

Wed JUN 03 | Wildflowers of Waterton Park

Ian Wilson has spent many years exploring and photographing northern Canada. His photographs have appeared in many books and magazine across the country. His most recent books are Wildflowers of Waterton Park and Wildflowers of Banff Park. Ian has also written five bestselling outdoor adventure books. He is now pursuing his passion of photographing wildflowers, and sharing his knowledge with others at photography workshops in Waterton and Banff Parks. When he’s not wandering in the mountains, Ian lives in Canmore, Alberta.

Jacinthe Lavoie has been a flower-bug since her childhood days. With training as a researcher, she has observed and enjoyed nature through each season. Her most recent books are Wildflowers of Waterton Park and Wildflowers of Banff Park. Jacinthe has also written twelve educational books. She is now fulfilling her dream of writing about wildflowers, and sharing her knowledge with others at wildflower identification workshops in Waterton and Banff Parks. During the seasons when flowers are dormant, Jacinthe lives in Canmore, Alberta.

Wildflowers of Waterton Park features 168 wildflowers of Waterton National Park. This softcover, 209 colour paged book is a blend of guide book and coffee-table photo book, with full-colour photographs, vivid descriptions, and interesting observations about each flower. The book highlights ten of the best trails to see wildflowers, along with notes of where and when to find each plant.

Wed JUN 17 | Sharing the Legacy of Miss Edith Fanny Kirk: Exhibit Tour

Wendy Aitkens is the Curator at the Galt Museum & Archives. She has 25 years experience in the museum field and enjoys sharing what she learns through her research with people in the community. She is responsible for exhibit development, collections management and fostering community relations. Wendy is a watercolour artist, traveller, photographer, bird watcher, dragon boat racer, hiker and grandma.

Wed JUL 15 | Country Houses and Gardens of Southern Alberta

Jim Asplund is the eldest in a family of eight boys and seven girls, and was born at the Galt Hospital in Lethbridge, now home to the Galt Museum & Archives. His love of gardening is deeply rooted, and his interest in architecture firmly based.

Wed AUG 05 | Squirrel Whiskey, Mr. R. and Prohibition in Southern Alberta

Belinda Crowson is the Museum Educator at the Galt Museum & Archives, where she has worked since 2000. She is also a historian, history advocate, and author working on several books at once, including on the prohibition in Southern Alberta. She is currently President of the Historical Society of Alberta.