Early Days
Located in Regina’s Centre Square neighbourhood, one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, Huston House was originally constructed as a residence by James S. Bartleman and his wife Marie J. Bartleman in 1911.
This Edwardian building reflects the rich style of Regina’s early residential architecture.
A New Purpose
In the 1970s, Saskatchewan was seeing a rise in interest in international development, education, and social justice. With the emergence of One Sky, the Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation (SCIC), and the Regina Committee for World Development (RCWD) in Saskatchewan, there also became a need for a support structure that would provide long-term financial support and aid their goals.
With this in mind, on May 27, 1977, the Edna Curren Memorial Fund (ECMF) was incorporated. Its purpose was to create a stable foundation to support these organizations dedicated to educational and social change for generations to come. Huston House was soon purchased to address these needs.
The Start of a Legacy
From the beginning, the ECMF underscored long-term commitment. Lifetime memberships were established at $100 (approximately $500 today) to members to invest in a shared vision for ECMF’s future.
The ECMF also adopted bylaws, broad objectives that would allow it to grow and adapt while remaining true to its purpose:
1) The advancement of education, particularly in respect to economic and social development,
2) The promotion and development of facilities for this purpose,
3) To do such things as may be conducive to the attainment of its objects herein.
The first organizational meeting was held in two cities; Saskatoon on June 27, 1977 and Regina June 28, 1977.
About Our Names
Harold Huston
Harold Huston served as the first President of the Edna Curren Memorial Fund and was highly involved in the life of the organization.
A staff member of the University of Regina’s Extension Department, he devoted countless hours to the ECMF, along with various other human rights and social justice causes, helping coordinate the move of nonprofit organizations into the new building.
Tragically, on August 7, 1977, while traveling to La Ronge for a meeting, Harold was killed in a car accident. In recognition of his exceptional dedication, the ECMF board unanimously named the building Huston House in his honour.
Edna Curren
A farmer from north-west Saskatchewan, Edna Curren was actively involved with the United Church, the National Farmer’s Union and One Sky.
She was known for her work in development education, with a focus on food security and agriculture.
In 1974, she was selected by SCIC to represent Canadian NGOs at the Special General Assembly of the United Nations on the New International Economic Order in New York.
Upon her return home, she generously shared her insights from that experience with development groups in Saskatchewan, encouraging global citizenship.
In the fall of 1976, Edna lost her life in a car accident. Widely known by many establishing the new support organization, they chose to name it the Edna Curren Memorial Fund, recognizing her endeavors towards a more just world.
Today, Huston House is home to several organizations, including:
Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation
“The Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation (SCIC) is a coalition of organizations and individuals working together to advance global citizenship, international cooperation, peace, justice, and sustainable development.
Formed in 1974, SCIC continues to connect people across the province to global issues through education, youth leadership, membership, public engagement, and national partnerships.“
To learn more, visit: https://www.saskcic.org/
Briarpatch Magazine
“Briarpatch is an award-winning magazine of politics and culture. Fiercely independent and proudly polemical, it offers original reporting, insight, and analysis from a grassroots perspective by prominent and upcoming writers.
As a reader-supported publication, Briarpatch is not just devoted to reporting on social movements — it’s committed to building them.
Since 1973, Briarpatch has been publishing committed journalism and critical commentary from its home in Treaty 4 territory (the lands of Cree, Saulteaux, Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota people, and the homeland of the Métis Nation).”
To learn more, visit: https://www.briarpatchmagazine.com
Bike Regina
“Bike Regina formed in 2009 in response to the City’s request for meaningful input on proposed on-street cycling initiatives. We are an active, involved, experienced and committed group of people trying to raise the profile of cycling in Regina. A small advocacy group with big ideas about supporting and increasing the cycling culture in Regina. We want you to be part of the trend.”
Learn more at: https://bikeregina.org/
