The document discusses the history of Calgary, Alberta and the work of the Alberta Champions Society to preserve and share Calgary's history. The Society created the Fields of Fame initiative, which honors pioneering Albertans with monuments containing information about their contributions. Calgary businessman Riaz Mamdani supports the Society's efforts to educate people about Alberta's history and memorialize notable individuals. He believes the Fields of Fame project helps develop community pride and educates youth about Calgary's role in Canada's cultural diversity.

1. Riaz Mamdani invites Albertans
to remember their past

2. Calgary, Alberta is a world class city, internationally known
for its award winning Mayor, annual Stampede and the 1988
Winter Olympics. However, Calgary has a rich and vibrant
history that stretches back to 1875, when the area was first
discovered by a detachment of theNorth West Mounted
Police. Originally named Fort Brisebois, in 1876 the name
was changed to Fort Calgary by Colonel James MacLeod,
after Calgary Bay on the Isle of Mull, Scotland, MacLeod’s
hometown. The name ‘Calgary’was originally thought to
mean ‘clear running water’, but has since been defined as
‘bay farm’.

3. Shortly after Fort Calgary was established, the Canadian
government decided to use the plush and fertile grasslands
as a first stage in the process of colonizing Western Canada
and opened the territory to ranching.

4. Eight years after the Mounties first set up camp at Fort
Brisebois, Fort Calgary welcomed the expansion of the
railroad. The trains brought ranchers from all over Canada
and even from abroad with hopes of staking their claim.
Trains also ushered in Alberta’s first of many booms. Just a
short year later, in 1884, the population of Fort Calgary had
ballooned to 4,000 people, earning Fort Calgary the official
title of City. By 1912, there were 47,000 Calgarians living in
the prairie city.

5. This is just one of the many stories encapsulating the long
history of Alberta. A history thatThe Alberta Champions
Society strives to share and protect for generations to come.
Created in 2003 to celebrate and inspire Albertans, founder
Gordon Hoffman, “felt that Calgary had been served by so
many outstanding individuals throughout the years that it
was important to create a form of recognition for their
efforts.”

6. In order to celebrate the legacy of Alberta, the Society
believes it’s critical to preserve Calgary's history and honour
the individuals who made strong contributions to it. The
Society is also a strong supporter of inspiring current citizens
to achieve greater goals.

7. In order to share Calgary’s history with newcomers and
youth, the Alberta Champions Society has created the Fields
of Fame initiative. It is a city-wide program that creates
tributes to men and women of the past who contributed to
the Calgary of today.

8. Fields of Fame utilizes and engages Calgarian school children
to learn and participate in the rich history of the province, by
providing prizes for the top written or multimedia
submissions. There are currently five Fields of Fame
honouring pioneering Albertans. Each Fields of Fame
monument contains six steel ‘sheaves of wheat’, thirteen feet
high, an homage to the prairies, the farming and ranching
culture that formed the early backbone of the Calgary. Each
sheave includes a photo and write-up about the honoured
individual and the importance of their contribution to
Alberta.

9. Calgary businessman Riaz Mamdani and CEO and Founder of
Calgary’s Strategic Group happens to be a continued
supporter of the Alberta Champions Society and a believer in
the value of the organization’s efforts. As a Calgary resident,
Mamdani is proud of the Alberta Champions Society’s efforts
of educating and preserving Alberta’s history.
“Calgary has a unique spirit that stems from its extensive
history,”Riaz Mamdani said. “I applaud the efforts of the
Alberta Champion Society in memorializing that history for
generations to come.”

10. Riaz Mamdani, who sits on the board of the Alberta
Champions Society, is an active and devoted member, who is
quick to offer his time and guidance to the organization.
“What’s really special about the organization and the Fields
of Fame project is the sheer diversity of Calgarians we
celebrate,”said Riaz Mamdani.

11. The Arts, Business, Community Service, Public Affairs and
Sports are just a few of the categories that are used during
the vetting and selection process of Fields of Fame
honourees.
Mamdani takes great honour in his role as part of the board
that has selected those who will be memorialized. . “The
project has two main goals,”Riaz Mamdani pointed out.
“First, we want to develop a sense of communal pride for the
achievements that Calgarians have made. Secondly, we want
to educate young Calgarians and visitors about Calgary’s
contributions to the cultural mosaic that is Canada.”

12. The Alberta Champion Society plans to continue erecting
Fields of Fames to honour excellent Calgarians and
outstanding Albertans.