This catalogue introduces the work of Miriam Green Ellis (1879-1964), pioneer woman journalist of Western Canada. Never one to follow a typical path, she steered clear of the "women's page" and society columns; her livelihood was the agricultural beat. Ellis's daring journey by river steamer from Edmonton to Aklavik in 1922-documented with a diary, travelogue, photographs and slides-launched and illustrated her subsequent "Land of the Midnight Sun" lectures, and secured her position as Western Editor for the Family Herald and Weekly Star. The materials she bequeathed to the University of Alberta include published newspaper articles, photographs, coloured glass slides, manuscripts, diaries, and letters; the Collection's cultural and ethnographic value to researchers is unparalleled. Miriam Green Ellis: Champion of the West samples the rich diversity of the Collection, while inviting you to see the way we were as Westerners almost a century ago and demonstrating why the West remained Ellis's emotional home. This Miriam Green Ellis exhibition catalogue won an award of excellence from the University and College Designers Association (UCDA). Once again, Lara Minja's beautiful entry was favourably recognized by a panel of judges for excellence in concept, typography, illustrations, printing, and overall design. Well done!

A professor in the Department of English and Film Studies at the University of Alberta, Patricia Demers is the author or editor of eleven books and over fifty articles. Her research interests range widelyâ??from early modern womenâ??s writing, Shakespearean and Jacobean drama, feminist hermeneutics, and childrenâ??s literature to contemporary Canadian womenâ??s writing. She is the recipient of a Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and a McCalla Research Professorship. In September 2005 she was awarded the University Cup, the University of Albertaâ??s highest recognition for outstanding teaching and research. In 2006, she was appointed University Professor.

Patricia Demers' profile page

• Winner, 43rd Annual UCDA Design Competition, Award of Excellence