Abstract

This qualitative study explores and interprets the dynamic interplay of place and everyday philanthropy. Drawing upon the life stories of Newfoundland migrants in Fort McMurray, Alberta, it proposes that philanthropy permits migrants to remain 'in place' in their homeland while serving as a way to reproduce their homeland in the adopted locality. The extent to which the institutions of family and community along with the particular time-space articulation of Athabasca Oil Sands industry constrain or permit this socio-spatial anchorage is examined. Tackling Fort McMurray's social segmentation of 'us' versus 'them', it contends that near strangers and distant actors create the oppositional tension for spatial pockets of intensified caring. Marie Callaghan, Brian Hatfield, Tina Burden and Andrew Bradbury left economically depressed Newfoundland to find work in oil-rich Fort McMurray, Alberta, some 4,000 kilometres away. Aged 19 to 59, fleeing 'home' at different economic downturns, at different ages, they have individually shared their unique and richly layered life stories. Augmenting these stories are archival research and participant observation. The research results are presented as triptychs. The researcher introduces the story space. A life story is offered. Lastly, the story is interpreted in relation to supplemental ethnographic research and theories of place, space, and generosity. The paper concludes by discussing the merits of research situated at the nexus of the arts and social science.