Broken Families Monument

In 2007, the Edmonton & District Labour Council received a grant from the Alberta Foundation of the Arts to create a monument in the city to recognize the men and women who are injured or killed during their employment. This monument fills a gap in the community acknowledging the sacrifices of men and women who go to work in professions where loss of life and injury is not anticipated, and who who may lose their life, become permanently disabled or suffer serious injury. The Broken Families Monument by local artist Memi von Gaza was chosen to stand as a tribute to those men and women and to their families who are left behind.

Cityscapes is one of Memi von Gaza’s few permanent artworks, created as an integrated element of the Broken Families Monument. A black granite obelisk supports four stainless steel panels with a representation of the Edmonton skyline and a series of figures holding hands. The figures on each panel represent families, but in each, one figure is missing. The missing figures act like ghosts against the steel skyline. The concrete base, representing the Earth, holds plaques containing a poem by Michael Brown, and a list of contributors to the project.

The monument adds educational and social value to the citizens of Edmonton. Every April 28^th, the International Day of Mourning is marked by an annual ceremony held at the monument to remember those who have lost their lives.