Projects - History Lives Here INC.

Sri Lanka

In May 2007 a History Lives Here video crew traveled to Sri Lanka to capture the dramatic stories of three people who survived an epic event - the tsunami, which struck the island and other countries bordering the Pacific Ocean on Boxing Day, 2004. The deadly waves killed 220,000 people. In Sri Lanka's coastal cities and villages, 35,000 died and over half a million people were left homeless. Five years later, the country is emerging from the disaster thanks in part to the efforts of Canadian credit unions that helped repair, restore and re-vitalize 300 credit unions lost to the waves.

These stories were captured for the Canadian Co-operative Association, one of a number of organizations continuing to support the efforts of local people to re-build their country amidst a backdrop of disaster and civil conflict. While the world has moved on to other stories in other places, these recovery efforts have continued.

A Rural Renaissance

Prince Edward County, Ontario is an island community nestled along the north shore of Lake Ontario near Belleville. In recent years, this tourist area has been "discovered" by people from around the world who are moving to the region to experience its small - town charm, natural beauty, and business opportunities. This DVD, developed for the Economic Development Office in Prince Edward County, showcases people who live in the area and are contributing in diverse ways to its new creative economy.

50 Years of Excellence

As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations in 2008, Essroc Cement in Picton contracted History Lives Here Inc. to create a DVD that reviewed its origins, significant milestones and importance to the local economy as a major employer, purchaser of goods and services, and corporate donor sponsoring the activities of many community organizations. Today, the company is a major cement supplier shipping much of its product by boat to American markets.

The video was premiered at a special gala evening held at The Regent Theatre in Picton on March 17, 2008.

Canadian Co-operative Association Awards

In 2009, the Canadian Co-operative Association celebrated its 100th birthday. To mark this special year, the organization launched a series of initiatives including The Canadian Co-operative Hall of Fame, Canada's first virtual Hall of Fame recognizing and celebrating the legacies and achievements of outstanding Canadian co-operators. These pioneers have made lasting contributions to the development of co-operatives and credit unions in Canada and abroad.

History Lives Here Inc. produced the video awards that honoured these remarkable individuals at a gala evening held in June 2009 in Ottawa.

Credit Union Central of Canada Awards

Credit Union Central of Canada (CUCC) is the national organization representing credit unions across Canada.

To recognize the best practices of its members within their communities, CUCC sponsors awards presented to winning credit unions at its annual general meetings. In 2009, the meeting was held in Ottawa in early May. It was also the 20th anniversary of one award, the organization's Community Economic Development Award, which recognizes initiatives making a difference in communities.

History Lives Here Inc. produced the videos that accompanied each of the award presentations.

Soldier of Peace Documentary

The 30 - minute documentary program, Soldier of Peace, tells the life story of a remarkable Canadian.

Dressed in her trademark military uniform, Dr. Lotta Hitschmanova of the Unitarian Service Committee of Canada, was a tireless advocate for the world's poor because "hunger never stops; and disease never sleeps." Fluent in several languages, she was an eloquent and emotional speaker who urged Canadians to respond to the needs of others elsewhere. She spent the money she raised on projects overseas that brought food, clothing, shelter, and medical supplies to grateful villagers. It became her life's work.

Soldier of Peace was the first documentary Peter Lockyer wrote and produced. Hosted by well-known Canadian journalist Peter Trueman, the program aired in 1988 on CBC Television. In November 2009, the USC, the agency Dr. Hitschmanova founded soon after the Second World War, featured the program as part of a celebration of Dr. Hitschmanova's life.

In the aftermath of the Second World War, Europe was in ruins. Amidst the carnage, thousands of refugees sought safety, shelter, food and medical attention. In Canada, a small army of volunteers directed by a refugee from Czechoslovakia began to ship used clothing and other items overseas. Dr. Lotta Hitschmanova personally knew the hardships refugees faced. A journalist critical of Hitler, she had been forced to flee the country when German troops invaded. She would never see her parents again. They died in concentration camps. But she and her sister made their way to Canada where Lotta founded the Unitarian Service Committee of Canada (USC), a volunteer agency assisting with the post-war relief efforts. The work would last a lifetime.

Soldier of Peace was originally developed as a documentary co-production with CBC Television in 1988 to tell the life story of the late Dr. Hitschmanova. In November 2009 on the occasion of what would have been her 100th birthday, the organization she founded honoured her memory with a special evening featuring a presentation of this documentary.