Stories of People Working Together to Build Alberta

A Teaching Resource for Social Studies 4

What was it like to work in a coal mine in the

early days?

There are many areas in Alberta where coal is mined.

This slideshow will help you understand what it was like to mine coal in the early 1900s.

Coal Mining in Alberta

What do you think it was like to work in coal mines in the early days?

Think about this question:

Drumheller Valley - in the early days

Photo courtesy of Atlas Coal Mine Historical Society

A Miner’s Life by Billy Bragg

Photo courtesy of Atlas Coal Mine Historical Society

In conclusion, bear in memory, keep this password in your mindWorker's strength cannot be broken when unions be combinedStand up tall and stand together, victory for you prevailOh keep your hands upon your wages and your eye upon the scale(Chorus 2x)

Click on Picture

A miner's life is like a sailor on board a ship to cross the wavesEvery day his life's in danger, many ventures being braveWatch the rocks, they're falling daily, careless miners always failKeep your hand upon your wages and your eye upon the scale

Chorus:Union miners, stand togetherDo not heed the Coal Board's taleKeep your hand upon your wagesAnd your eye upon the scale

You've been docked and docked again, boys, you've been loading three for oneWhat's the use in all your working when your mining days are done?Worn out shoes and worn miners, blackened lungs and faces paleOh keep your hand upon your wages and your eye upon the scale

(Chorus)

HELPFUL HINTS TO READ A PHOTO

Click on picture to find out how to read a photo.

Photo courtesy of Atlas Coal Mining Historical Society

Eric’s Squeeze

Photos courtesy of Atlas Coal Mine Historical Society

If you felt a soft sprinkling, like a light rain, it could mean the coal was getting heavy, and the roof was going to cave. Or a squeeze.

Excerpt from the story “Eric’s Squeeze” - told by Eric Houghton, April 13, 2011

Carbide Lamp

Portable carbide lamps, worn on the hat or carried by hand, were widely used in mining in the early twentieth century.

Read the story “Underground in Wayne” in Presenter View.

Photo courtesy of Atlas Coal Mine Historical Society

Being 12 In Grade 1

Photo courtesy of Atlas Coal Mining Historical Society

Working the Conveyor

Photo courtesy of Atlas Coal Mining Historical Society

Keeping Clean

Photo courtesy of Atlas Coal Mining Historical Society

Excerpt from“Coal Fires at Home” Inspired by the memoires of Douglas Powell

Frozen Long Johns

Photo courtesy of Atlas Coal Mining Historical Society

Read the story of the Italian miner.

Powell Family Atlas Coal Mine Historical

Society

What inspired miners to work so hard?

It’s Where We Live, It’s What We Do

What have you learned about the lives of coal miners and their families?

You will be asked to think about their working conditions and consider ways that they improved them.

Coal Miners of the Crowsnest Pass