In the final episode of A Little Bit Ritchie, host Lydia Neufeld is joined by members of the Ritchie Community League Board to reflect on the past, present, and future of this dynamic neighbourhood. Community members share their perspectives on what makes Ritchie unique and explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the neighbourhood. Throughout the series, A Little Bit Ritchie has delved into the stories and experiences that define Ritchie. Join us for this celebratory finale as we bid farewell to the Centennial Celebration and look forward to the next chapter in Ritchie's vibrant history. https://www.ritchie-league.com/a-little-bit-ritchie-blog/episode-09 

On September 17th, 2022—Community League Day in Edmonton—Ritchie celebrated its centennial anniversary with live music, food trucks, and historical walking tours. Join us on this episode, where we’ll introduce you to 13 of Ritchie’s historical hotspots.

Head to https://www.ritchie-league.com/wanderroundritchie to access an illustrated walking tour map by Scott Carmicheal that will guide you to each location. Tie on some walking shoes, grab a pair of headphones, and join us on a two-hour adventure to Wander ‘Round Ritchie. To begin the tour, head to the Ritchie Community Hall.

In this episode of A Little Bit Ritchie, we look at three community transitions, each shaped by the community’s needs and desires and marked by a collection of buildings: the shantytown of Ross Acreage, Wartime Housing Limited homes, and Redeemer Lutheran Church. A key theme throughout is the movement towards modernization, which so often occurs after periods of upheaval. This episode was produced in collaboration with local popular historian Dane Ryksen, who shares the history of a Redeemer Lutheran Church.

In the early days of the twentieth century, city dwellers across Canada and the United States learned of a new phenomenon that pledged to reduce crime, increase morality, and improve public health—playgrounds. In this episode of A Little Bit Ritchie, we uncover how and why playgrounds and park spaces became essential to the health of our neighbourhoods, children, and society.

Tune into the fifth episode of A Little Bit Ritchie, to learn about the history of Gainers Meatpacking Plant, guts and all! The site of the 96th street condos, which overlook Mill Creek Ravine, was once home to the gigantic Gainers slaughterhouse—a keystone of Ritchie’s economic and social landscape. In this episode, We discuss Gainers success within the greater context of meatpacking and in relation to the Ritchie community. Further, we delve into the infamous 1986 Gainers strike. The story of Gainers is a tale of business, community, and the tensions that can arise when greed obscures ethics.

Today on A Little Bit Ritchie, we're talking transportation! This episode includes a quick overview of the famous railway that connected Canadians across the nation—the Canadian Pacific Railway—and we address the displacement left in the train's wake. This section discusses historical sources that use derogatory language towards Indigenous peoples. To skip this section, jump to 13:47. Next, we look into Sleeping Car Porters' lives, working conditions, and activism. Then we chat about the Edmonton Yukon Railway, one of the lesser-known railways in the region. To conclude, we discuss how the rail lines shaped the contours of modern-day Ritchie, and we finish with a tale of early immigration and settlement that hits close to home.

To learn more about the topics discussed in this episode and to read a transcript of this episode, visit our show notes https://www.ritchie-league.com/a-little-bit-ritchie-blog/episode-03

On the debut episode of A Little Bit Ritchie, we discuss the early settler history of Strathcona, Edmonton, including the namesake of our neighbourhood—Robert Ritchie—and many of his endeavours. We introduce the early food politics of the area, which includes a discussion about Treaty 6 and the Home Farms Program. Then we touch on the evolution of South Edmonton, to Strathcona, to the City of Edmonton, followed by a look into the formation of Ritchie.

For detailed show notes and a transcription of this episode, visit https://www.ritchie-league.com/a-little-bit-ritchie-blog/episode-01

Coming soon from the Ritchie Community League: A Little Bit Ritchie, a local history podcast exploring what it means to celebrate 100 years in Edmonton. Join us as we dive into the legacy of the League, the politics of the land, and the people and places that define our community.