Louis (Luigi) Biamonte Mike Biollo Father Giovanni Bonelli Camillo Bridarolli Mr. & Mrs. Henry Butti John Camarta Domenico Chiarello Joe Fabbri Mario Grassi Victor Losa Filomena Michetti Mrs. Mamie Meardi Tony Nimis Giorgio W. & Norma Pocaterra Mr. & Mrs. John Segatti Romano Tedesco & Mrs. Irma Giacobbo Angelo Toppano

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A summary of the oral history transcript of Victor Losa describes his emigration experience, his work life in Edmonton, and reflections of the depression era and war years.

• May 1905, born in Turin, left for Edmonton c1920
   

• had a labor contract with Pietro Colpertalto (sp?) who owned a jewelry store and was a consular agent
   

• Victor trained as a watchmaker in the same school as Pietro, who advertised there for skilled help
   

• 1920 Pietro moved to Vancouver, B.C. as Italian Consul & sold the jewelry store & consular office to Victor
   

• retained excellent Italian- due to reading books, newspapers, speaking with other Italians
   

• married a non-Italian
   

• English-as-a-second-language classes for new Canadians of any origin were organized by the City of Edmonton as early as ~1921-1923
   

• estimated 500 Italians in Edmonton in the 1920s (as per consular records)
   

• 1930s Depression Years, was hard, carried on, survived
   

• being consul was a thankless job - Italians didn't like to pay
   

• helped with forms, accompanying to courts, etc.
   

• received no enumeration or salary - just a percentage on stamps for documents.
   

• relationship between Italians & local authorities and between Italians & other ethnic groups was very good (at least until 1935)
   

• 1935 - Italian invasion of Ethiopia
   

• gave lectures in church halls & clubs to explain Italian position with respect to invasion (and was surprised that he wasn't thrown out or touched or insulted ) [treated respectfully]
   

• WWII - Italians & Germans were compelled to go to nearest RCMP detachment to register & show up once a month. He considered this a formality. Needed permission to leave district.
   

• no longer consul at this time
   

• felt no personal discrimination.

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