History of the GCAA
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The German-Canadian Association of Alberta was founded in 1967 by a
group of Edmonton businessmen under the leadership of William Zeidler
and with the support of former Mayor William Hawrelak. These progressive-minded
individuals recognized the value of our cultural diversity and the need
for an umbrella organization for the german-speaking community long
before the introduction of multicultural policies by the government.One
of the principal concerns of these founders was communication. It was
conceived to publish a monthly news-magazine which could serve as the
voice of the Association and a communication medium for German-speaking
Albertans. Thus the Alberta Echo was born -- under the competent leadership
of Elsa Petrikowski since the beginning. For 33 years, from 1968 to
1999, the Alberta Echo appeared monthly with a circulation of over 2,500
copies per edition.Later, through the initiative of the Association,
the German Language School Edelweiss was founded in 1969. The aim of
this venture was to provide a means for younger generations to learn
German and to perfect their knowledge of their mother tongue. Edelweiss
was also the first private german language school in Alberta to offer
courses for high school credits and also one of the first to be able
to award the German Sprachdiplom.Over the past 35 years, the German-Canadian
Association of Alberta has become a permanent part of the multicultural
mosaic of this province.Served after William Zeidler by the following
presidents -- Dr. Harald Schwarz 1970-1972, Robert O. Wekherlin 1972-1976,
Benno Knodel, Marieles Zielke, Rita Schütz, Maria Knak, and since
2004 by Heinz Kleist-- the Association now has 25 member organizations
from Medicine Hat to Grande Prairie and well hundreds of volunteers
who assist with the planning and implementation of its various programs
and activities.