Welcome to the Calling Lake “house of history” – the online gathering place for information and insights about the history of this northern Alberta community. Here you can explore why this lakeside outpost came to be, who it attracted from all directions and how the resulting mix of Treaty and Métis peoples, settlers and cabin owners made a home here, becoming Canadians of the North.
Click on History to enter the heart of this heritage home. Here you will find entire suites of rooms devoted to key aspects of our past. With help from people connected to Calling Lake as well as friends further afield, each room can become a treasure chest for anyone wishing to understand more about where we’ve come from – and where the community could go. You can also explore our past by visiting the Historical Centre in the heart of Calling Lake, and by reading heritage signs throughout the community.
Every person in Calling Lake holds stories and objects that, like puzzle pieces, help fill in our image of the community we are today. To share your memories, offer suggestion or support this work in any other way, please contact the Calling Lake history team.
Share your story
We are seeking memories about all aspects of our community – family histories, business ventures, community milestones and more. Plus photographs, artifacts and documents that help tell the tales.
Help us hunt and gather
We are looking for people to conduct and transcribe interviews, gather and identify photos and artifacts, staff the Historical Centre, support social media, write stories and more. If you are passionate about the history of Calling Lake, this could be you.
Support the project
We are seeking financial and in-kind support from like-minded individuals, organizations and industries, especially those with ties to Calling Lake.
Advertise with us
We welcome opportunities to promote kindred businesses and services in return for financial contributions.
To offer your time, expertise and/or financial support, or to become a founding advertiser, please contact the history committee:
callinglakehistory@gmail.com, 780-719-9949 (Kathy), 780-289-8615 (Wilf)
Land Acknowledgement
Recognizing that we are all Treaty people, equally responsible to know our shared history and journey forward in good faith, we acknowledge with respect that Calling Lake stands on land, and alongside water, where Indigenous peoples have gathered, hunted, fished and held ceremonies from time immemorial. Knowing that J.B. Gambler Indian Reserve #183 is part of Bigstone Cree Nation within Treaty 8 Territory, and that we are within Métis Nation of Alberta District 22, we wish to understand the spirit and intent of promises made so that we can take action to create a just and caring future built on truth and reconciliation.
Our funders
