Women’s Labour History Project
Single Video Productions
About
The single channel videos of the Women’s Labour History Project produced from 1989-1995 incorporated Diamond’s audio and video oral histories from the 1970s and early 1980s, and research into early audio-visual archival records. These works were often categorized as experimental documentaries, and were part of the debate of the time on the aesthetic boundaries between video art and traditional documentary. Diamond and collaborating researchers sought to surface representation of marginalized and oppressed people from colonial archives and situate them as active participants within a labour/activist context, emphasizing the critical role women, First Nations, Black, people of colour, and immigrants played within and outside of labour movements in British Columbia.
Important note on archival content
You may encounter outdated or harmful terminology within the records of the CDMLA, and other records may depict or reflect harmful perspectives and exclusions. Please navigate the records with care and reach out for support as needed. Please share any comments with us through library@vivomediaarts.com as we continue to better identify and describe these materials.
Content on this page
Ten Dollars or Nothing and Fit To Be Tied contain 20th century film excerpts produced by settler corporations and/or government and private media of First Nations, and other oppressed racial and religious communities.
Vancouver 1989 12:00
Despite the rigours of the last Great Depression, B.C. s coastal canneries continued their production, employing thousands of White, First Nations, and Japanese workers. This video combines oral histories, archival film and photography, current video footage and soundtrack to recall the history of women workers in the province’s canneries. Josephine Charlie, a First Nations woman who worked in the fishing industry from the 1900s to the 1950s, provides eloquent testimony to the challenges and pleasures of coastal life.
Ten Dollars Or Nothing with French subtitles.
Dix dollars ou rien avec sous-titres français.
Vancouver 1989 12:00
Grande Dépression, la Colombie-Britannique Les conserveries côtières ont poursuivi leur production, employant des milliers de travailleurs blancs, autochtones et japonais. Cette vidéo combine des histoires orales, des films et des photographies d’archives, des séquences vidéo actuelles et une bande sonore pour rappeler l’histoire des travailleuses dans les conserveries de la province. Joséphine Charlie, une femme des Premières Nations qui a travaillé dans l’industrie de la pêche des années 1900 aux années 1950, témoigne éloquemment des défis et des plaisirs de la vie côtière.
Vancouver 1995 17:00
In 1935 thousands of unemployed men hopped freight trains for Ottawa demanding work, wages and an end to relief camps. This shorter version of ON TO OTTAWA brings this historic event to the video medium. It is based on the play by Tom Hawken featuring his band and trek participants Robert Jackson, Jean Sheils and Ray Wainwright. Dramatic voiceovers and historical footage complement the live performance.
Vancouver 1992 24:30
Documents the lives of hard-working, spirited women during the depression era. Drawing upon oral history, archival footage, and a poetic layering of photographs, film clips, and dramatic re-enactment, the video covers such issues as womens poverty, labour activism, reproduction, feminism, and the rise of fascism in the 30s.
Related Materials
Ten Dollars or Nothing