The German-Canadian Association of Alberta, in existence since 1966, is the provincial umbrella organization for Alberta's many clubs, choirs, dance and performing arts groups, cultural groups, and language schools which have ties to the various German-speaking groups in this province.
As people of German-language background comprise about 15% of Alberta's total population - making them the second-largest ethnic group in the province - the Association has set itself the task of representing them to each other and to the public at large. Our aim is to foster the sharing of the culture of the several German-speaking groups with the whole of Alberta's society, thereby increasing awareness, knowledge and understanding of Alberta's rich cultural diversity and helping to create a positive atmosphere of co-operation and harmony within the German-speaking and multicultural communities. To accomplish this objective, we assist these groups in their endeavors and contributions to Alberta's social and cultural growth and encourage them to become involved in our programming.
The Association is a registered non-profit organization, representing the interests of Germans in Alberta, seeking to strengthen their contributions to Alberta's growth and diverse culture, and seeking to encourage their participation in public and cultural life. All of this is part of an established goal to create general public awareness of the culture and customs of German-speaking Canadians. Through the activities and programs of the GCAA, all Albertans have the opportunity to share our culture and thereby increase their awareness and understanding of Alberta's cultural diversity.
History of the GCAA
The GCAA was founded in 1967 by a group of Edmonton businessmen under the leadership of William Zeidler and with the support of former Mayor William Hawrelak. These progressive-minded individuals recognized the value of our cultural diversity and the need for an umbrella organization for the german-speaking community long before the introduction of multicultural policies by the government.One of the principal concerns of these founders was communication. It was conceived to publish a monthly news-magazine which could serve as the voice of the Association and a communication medium for German-speaking Albertans. Thus the Alberta Echo was born -- under the competent leadership of Elsa Petrikowski since the beginning. For 33 years, from 1968 to 1999, the Alberta Echo appeared monthly with a circulation of over 2,500 copies per edition.Later, through the initiative of the Association, the German Language School Edelweiss was founded in 1969. The aim of this venture was to provide a means for younger generations to learn German and to perfect their knowledge of their mother tongue. Edelweiss was also the first private german language school in Alberta to offer courses for high school credits and also one of the first to be able to award the German Sprachdiplom.Over the past 35 years, the German-Canadian Association of Alberta has become a permanent part of the multicultural mosaic of this province.Served after William Zeidler by the following presidents -- Dr. Harald Schwarz 1970-1972, Robert O. Wekherlin 1972-1976, Benno Knodel, Marieles Zielke, Rita Schütz, Maria Knak, and since 2004 by Heinz Kleist-- the Association now has 25 member organizations from Medicine Hat to Grande Prairie and well hundreds of volunteers who assist with the planning and implementation of its various programs and activities.
Role of the GCAA
Today, the German-Canadian Association of Alberta is working hard for multiculturalism, a most important aspect of Alberta's pluralistic society, as well as for the future of our German-speaking population, both young and old. For many years now, the Association has increasingly supported and staged cultural programs and presentations in order to promote young artists and talent and to involve them in the process of multicultural development. The annual Operetta Evening as well as the Art Exhibition are events organized specifically for this purpose. The "Miss Oktoberfest Pageant" offers talented youth from all ethnocultural groups and all parts of the province an opportunity to experience German-Canadian culture and also to win valuable monetary prizes. Our weekly German Pension Counselling Service helps qualifying Albertans with the preparation of applications for German pension benefits. This service as well as the annual Seniors' Appreciation Day are important gestures of thanks for the older members of our province who have contributed so significantly to its growth.Watch over the media, interchange with the general population and other ethnocultural groups as well as the promotion of heritage language education are taken care of through the efforts of three Standing Committees. The presentation of the German Language Achievement Award represents another practical contribution to heritage language education. Education is also the main goal of the Association's Cultural-Historical Research Project ("German Culture in the Canadian Mosaic"), which seeks to research the history, contributions, lifestyle and culture of our German-speaking population from 1882 to the present for the beneift of present and future generations. Through such research work, it is our goal to set straight the facts of German-Canadian history and thereby help to clear up prejudices and misconceptions.The German Days -- a three-day cultural festival, reinstituted by the Association in 1986 -- is staged annually with the goal of broadening public awareness of the history, culture and the enormous contributions of German-speaking Canadians to the development of the province. The German-Canadian Association of Alberta has also represented the German-speaking population for 26 years at the Edmonton Heritage Festival in an attempt to further such ethnocultural awareness.
