“Building a Better World” documentary on history of PEI co-operatives to be screened

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI – Sept. 26, 2012 – With 2012 being the International Year of Co-operatives, the Prince Edward Island Co-operative Council and Le Conseil de développement coopératif decided that it would be the perfect time to celebrate the rich history that co-operatives have had in the province dating back to the foundation of the Farmer’s Bank in Rustico almost 150 years ago.

One of the results of this initiative has been the production of a feature length documentary called “Building a Better World: A Co-operative History of PEI”, which will be screened in five communities across the province during National Co-op Week in October.

Screenings will be held at the Arts Guild in Charlottetown on Oct. 15, at the Eptek Center in Summerside on Oct. 16, at the École Évangéline in Abram-Village on Oct. 17, at the Farmer’s Bank of Rustico Museum in Rustico on Oct. 18 and at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #6 in Tignish on Oct. 19. Screenings begin at 7 p.m. with receptions to follow. Admission is $5 per person at four of the shows; admission to the Abram-Village showing will be free, thanks to the Conseil de développement coopératif.

The film was directed by Susan Rodgers of Blue Mountain Entertainment and shot in locations all over the Island during the past year. It features photographs and interviews that give a rich and personal accounting of the impact that the co-operative movement has had in PEI. Among the interviewees are Acadian co-operators Ida Gallant and Edgar Arsenault.

Dr. Ed MacDonald of UPEI and Acadian historian Georges Arsenault act as hosts and provide the context with interviews with Islanders of all walks of life, providing the details of how co-ops of all shapes and sizes helped solidify the economic standing of so many communities. They also give a glimpse of what the future holds for the co-operative movement.

In addition, the film also features new and original music by award-winning Island artists Tanya Davis and the Saddle River String Band.

The entire film is in English but efforts are being made to provide French subtitles.

For more information please visit www.peicc.coop

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For more information:

Todd MacEwen

PEI Co-operative Council

902-569-7322

toddm@peicc.coop

Velma Robichaud

Conseil de développement coopératif de l’Î.-P.-É.

902-854-3658