Animating Histories: Storytelling Animation as a Medium to Reveal Women's Narratives about Canadian Energy Development in the mid-20th century

Abstract

This document explores the use of storytelling animation as a medium to uncover and amplify the marginalized narratives of women involved in the Canadian energy sector during the mid-20th century. This paper’ focus is on the significant yet often overlooked contributions of "oil wives" during the Alberta oil boom, specifically following the Leduc No.1 oil discovery in the 1940s. Through a combination of women’s narratives and storytelling animation, this research re-examines historical accounts to reveal the diverse experiences and roles of women in energy development. My methodological approach in this project involved extensive archival research, thematic analysis, and the production of animated documentaries. Archival materials from the Canadian Energy Museum and documented interviews with surviving oil women and their descendants were utilized to construct compelling narratives. These narratives were then brought to life through storytelling animations, employing techniques such as rotoscoping and digital collage to maintain historical accuracy and emotional depth. The findings highlighted in my thesis project emphasize the critical roles played by women in supporting the oil industry and their families, challenging the male-dominated narratives that have traditionally shaped our understanding of energy history. By positioning animation as a form of meta-interpretation, this project demonstrates its capacity to convey historical and emotional truths that might not be captured through conventional documentary methods. Storytelling animation, unlike static media like photographs, possesses the unique ability to breathe life into undocumented or abstract narratives, enabling the portrayal of emotions, memories, and historical events that may not have a tangible visual record. This paper contributes to the broader discourse on energy, gender, and historical representation, advocating for more inclusive and equitable narratives in both academic research and public history. It also underscores the potential for innovative storytelling techniques, such as documentary animation, to enrich our collective memory and advance social justice.