In 1906, the German immigrant Martin Nordegg arrived in Canada in search of adventure and opportunity. A few years later, he discovered and developed rich coal deposits on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. In Nordegg, he built the largest mine in Alberta and created a model town that bears his name to this day.

One of Alberta's early pioneers, Martin Nordegg later pursued numerous economic, financial, and humanitarian interests, often in collaboration with the governments of Canada and the United States. In the 1930s, he helped many endangered citizens of Germany and other European countries to escape from persecution to North America. Although well known and respected in political and financial circles in Canada, the United States and Germany, Martin Nordegg was a very private person. His contemporaries admired his optimism, his energy, and his achievements, but few were aware of the personal tragedies he suffered throughout his life.

This is a true story of an unusual immigrant. Martin Nordegg's interests circled the globe, but he remained a loyal citizen of his adopted country Canada.