Egg Money: A tribute to pioneer women of Saskatchewan

February 20, 2007 -- Has your mother or grandmother ever told you about her life as a pioneer, the hardship, isolation, hard work and loneliness she faced?

Life in the prairies was not easy and a way to earn extra money was by raising chickens. Women collected the eggs assisted by their children and sold the eggs at the market. The money received from the sale was considered theirs. The women used the extra income to buy fabric for clothes and small appliances for the household.

In 2005 during the Saskatoon German Days, which had the motto "Share our Story -- Honouring Pioneer Women", it was announced that a sculpture to honour these outstanding women was to be placed in Saskatoon's downtown area. This is your chance to pay tribute to the pioneer women in your family. Help to create this bridge from the past to the present to the future. The platform will contain the names of Saskatchewan pioneer women. For a contribution of $1,500 the name of your mother or grandmother will be cast in bronze and remembered forever.

For this project a pioneer woman is an immigrant or settler who made their home in Canada prior to 1940.

Deadline for names submission: June 1, 2007

The Artist

The bronze Egg Money was designed and created by Shirley and Don Begg of the Studio West Bronze Foundry and Gallery in Cochrane, Alberta. Well known for his highly detailed and lifelike bronze statues, Don has completed more than 60 public monuments for public buildings, schools, libraries, museums, parks and residential communities across North America, France and Germany.

The Saskatoon sculpture will be the third and last of its kind. The other two bronzes are located in Cochrane, Alberta and Fish Creek Provincial Park, Calgary, Alberta.

For information on sculpture contact:

German Canadian Club Concordia
Saskatoon German Days Committee
Address: 160 Cartwright St E, Saskatoon SK S7T 1B1
Phone: 306-373-3328
Phone: 306-221-3994
saskatoongermandays@hotmail.com