Webcomic to celebrate centennial milestone
A modern art form will be a major part of celebrating AUPE''s centennial.
The as-yet-untitled webcomics project will cover notable and exciting moments throughout Alberta''s labour history and AUPE''s important role within that movement. The six-part series will use illustrated stories to teach readers about the hard-fought struggles and achievements won by the working people of this province.
Six local artists have been tapped to bring their unique talent to each part of the project, which is set to launch early in 2019.
"AUPE''s centennial celebrations are not only about remembering our past, but also about planning and preparing for our next hundred years. Webcomics are an interesting and interactive way to bring Alberta''s labour history - and the history of our own union - to life," said AUPE Vice-President Karen Weiers, who chairs the union''s Centennial Committee.
"We want Albertans to learn how working people and the labour movement have contributed to so many of the things we take for granted today, like minimum wage and weekends, but we also want to remind ourselves that our fight continues to this day."
The online comics will tell the stories of landmark struggles and issues throughout history, such as how women have fought to be included in the workplace and properly compensated for their work, and how AUPE activists throughout history have taken to the streets to fight for their rights.
The project will offer links to other resources so readers can take a deeper dive into the history and context of the movement. It will also include a curriculum guide so educators can adapt the comics for their own use in classes.
AUPE hopes to keep the webcomics alive by adding new stories every few years.
"Our hope is that more people in our province and even elsewhere in Canada and the world will develop a deeper understanding for the importance of the labour movement to their own lives as working people," said Weiers.