📅 Timeline: Early History of the E.A.D.
1949
- Real Bouchard, Doug Ferguson, and Walter Johnson began discussions to establish a Deaf club in Edmonton.
Early 1950s
- The Edmonton Deaf Bowling League was organized.
- 1951 - Around 20 Deaf adults lived in and around Edmonton. Weekly bowling at Bowlerane (97 St. & Jasper Ave.) became central to Deaf social life.
- Real Bouchard was praised by Doug Ferguson for leadership during coffee at Silk Hat Restaurant.
Edmonton Deaf Bowling - 1950s
1951
- About 20 Deaf adults were living in and around Edmonton.
- Weekly bowling at Bowlerane (97 Street and Jasper Avenue) became the center of Deaf social life.
- During a coffee meeting at the Silk Hat Restaurant, Doug Ferguson praised Real Bouchard for his leadership in supporting the weekly bowling events.
1952
- Membership dues were $2.00 for individuals and $3.00 for married couples.
- Members paid 50 cents for meetings and social events (increased to 75 cents in 1955); non-members paid $1.00.
- EAD had 23 members.
May 16, 1953 – Formation of tHE EAD
The Edmonton Association of the Deaf (EAD) was officially founded and formally registered under the Alberta Societies Act. The organization began with 33 members. The founding officers were Douglas Ferguson as President, Evelyn Johnson as Secretary, and Walter Johnson as Treasurer.
1953 – Formation of the Women's Auxiliary
Deaf women began gathering monthly on Fridays to socialize while their husbands cared for the children. These gatherings led to the formation of the EAD Women’s Auxiliary.
Activities included organizing bake sales and bazaars, playing games and exchanging gifts at Christmas, celebrating Easter with surprise birthday cakes, and hosting an annual June picnic followed by informal social time at local bars.
Key Individuals:
- Mary Ferguson served as the first president of the Women's Auxiliary
- Marvyn McGillivray frequently supported the group by driving women home in his VW Beetle
- The Women’s Auxiliary remained active until the late 1980s.
1954 – Growth and Early Milestones
By 1954, the Edmonton Association of the Deaf (EAD) had grown to 48 members, reflecting a steady increase in community engagement and interest.
May 1954 – First Banquet and Historic Announcement
One of EAD’s first formal banquets took place in May at the Seven Seas Restaurant, located at 108 Street and Jasper Avenue. Guest speakers included Mr. Lawrence Broughton and Mr. Ernest Kane.
During the event, Kane made a significant announcement: the Alberta School for the Deaf would be built on the university farm in South Edmonton, a development that would have a lasting impact on the Deaf community in Alberta.
October 2, 1954 – Controversial Membership Decision
In October, the association faced a difficult internal debate over whether Deaf individuals who worked as peddlers should be allowed to maintain membership. Tensions rose between members who supported peddling as a means of survival and those who did not. A formal vote was held: 22 members voted in favor, with 1 opposed, resulting in the decision to expel Deaf peddlers from the meeting and deny them future membership. The vote marked a controversial and pivotal moment in EAD’s early history.
1954–1955 – A major milestone was reached for Deaf education in Alberta during this period. Deaf children no longer needed to travel long distances to attend residential schools in Montreal, Saskatoon, or Vancouver, as the Alberta School for the Deaf was officially established in Edmonton.
Mr. Lawrence Broughton was appointed as the school’s first principal.
Mr. Ernest Kane (father of Doreen Young) became the first president of the Alberta Association of the Deaf, a new provincial organization formed to support Deaf rights and community development.
Construction of Alberta School for the Deaf
In 1955, EAD membership declined from 48 to 33 members, returning to its original size. Despite this drop, the organization remained active and committed to supporting its community.
That same year, EAD helped cover part of David Mason’s first-year expenses to attend Gallaudet University, marking one of its earliest efforts to support Deaf post-secondary education.
1956–1959 – Traditions, National Growth & Royal Visit
In 1956, the Edmonton Association of the Deaf (EAD) recorded 29 members, maintaining a modest but dedicated community.
In early 1957, Bowling President George Pody proposed launching an annual friendly bowling tournament between the Edmonton Association of the Deaf and the Calgary Association of the Deaf, setting the stage for a long-running intercity tradition.
On June 3, 1957, EAD hosted a variety and benefit show, showcasing community talent and raising funds for future activities. A major highlight followed in July, when EAD hosted the 12th Triennial Western Canada Association of the Deaf (WCAD) Convention at the Hotel Macdonald from July 3–6, 1957. With 46 members at the time, EAD welcomed Deaf delegates from across Canada and North America for business meetings and social gatherings, further strengthening its national visibility.
In April 1958, EAD membership was recorded at 45 members, and membership dues were increased to $3.00 for singles and $4.00 for couples. The following month, EAD purchased a trophy for the winners of the first Edmonton vs. Calgary bowling tournament. Calgary claimed victory in the inaugural match and continued to dominate until 1975. Over the years, additional individual and team trophies were introduced, enhancing the tradition.
By June 1959, EAD’s membership stood at 35.
CAD 1957 Bowling
1959 – Royal Recognition at the Legislature
On July 21, 1959, during Queen Elizabeth II’s official visit to Edmonton, EAD achieved a moment of royal recognition when Bruce Jack and his sister were invited by the Alberta Government to attend an outdoor luncheon at the Alberta Legislature, where nearly 2,000 locals had been invited.
The presence of EAD representatives at this prestigious event with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip marked a milestone in the organization’s growing visibility and importance within Alberta.