Canadian History Ehx

An Interview With Craig Cardiff

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I am speaking with Craig Cardiff, the celebrated Canadian folk artist who has released several albums over the course of his 25-year career in C...

A Trailblazer: Jean Cuthand Goodwill

19 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Born on the reserve named for her ancestor Poundmaker, Jean Cuthand Goodwill would become one of the leading advocates for Indigenous health in Canada...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Medicine Hat

16 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I look at the community with the odd name, Medicine Hat. From its history as a gathering place for the Indigenous, to the stories of the rainma...

An Interview With Brian Castner

14 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with Brian Castner about his new book Stampede, which follows the Klondike Gold Rush. It is a historically-accurate story about the peo...

A Dark Chapter: The Chinese Head Tax

12 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From 1885 to 1921, 82,000 Chinese immigrants came to Canada, all of whom paid a tax to do so. Upon arriving, they would be subjected to racism and dis...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Entwistle

09 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It is a small hamlet east of Edmonton, but it has a wonderful history that includes being a boomtown, a terrible fire and one of the most impressive a...

An Interview With Genevieve Graham

07 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with author Genevieve Graham about her new book Letters Across The Sea, which is set during the Second World War. She has written sever...

Solving A Mystery: The Inuit and the Franklin Expedition

05 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The story of the Franklin Expedition is famous throughout Canada, but what about the Inuit who came across the expedition, interacted with the survivo...

Small Town Histories: The History of Chetwynd

02 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Unlike many communities I have featured, Chetwynd got its start much later in the 20th century, and didn't get the railway until 1958. It even had a d...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Winkler

31 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This southern Manitoba community's history features a tornado, a terrible flood, two bank robberies and more. From its days as a simple stop along the...

Off to Evergreen Forest: The Raccoons

29 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Beginning with four specials in the early 1980s, followed by five seasons of the classic show from 1985 to 1992, The Raccoons remains a beloved cartoo...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Prince Albert

26 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From Frankenstein's Monster to three prime ministers representing the town to the volunteers who fought in the 1885 North West Resistance to an Englis...

An Interview With Kim Campbell

24 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with Canada's 19th prime minister, Kim Campbell. Not only was she Canada's first female prime minister, but also the first female justi...

The People of the Bison: The Blackfoot

22 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I'm looking at the pre-colonial history and the culture of the Blackfoot people, who occupied 28 million acres of land from the Rockies to Sask...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Ponoka

19 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Located in central Alberta, Ponoka was an important place for the Indigenous for centuries. Its history includes a NWMP fort, the first mental health ...

An Interview With Geoff Mynett

17 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with Geoff Mynett, the author of Pinkerton's and the Hunt for Simon Gunanoot. It is the story of murder, a manhunt and some close calls...

A Noble Life: Mona Parsons

15 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mona Parsons, a young woman from Nova Scotia, would put her life on the line to protect airmen in the Netherlands during the Second World War as part ...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Spruce Grove

12 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hometown of hockey great Grant Fuhr, Spruce Grove's history involves the moving of a town, becoming a village twice, fires and even some moonshiners o...

An Interview With John Boyko

10 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There is a belief that Canada did not participate in the Vietnam War, but we did, and in a ways many Canadians don't know about. From Canadians who fo...

Touching The Sky: The CN Tower

08 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The CN Tower was once the tallest free-standing structure on Earth. While it isn't anymore, it is still an iconic image of Canada. Today, I am looking...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Fort St. John

05 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I'm looking at Fort St. John, B.C. In this city, you will find an Indigenous site that dates to 11,000 years ago, the site of the worst disaste...

An Interview With Tiffany Ayalik and Caroline Cox

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak to Tiffany Ayalik and Caroline Cox about their film, Food for the Rest of Us, which is an intimate look at the ways marginalized peopl...

Canada Mobilizes For War

02 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Canada's Great War launches on all podcast platforms. Enjoy this first episode of the show and please considering subscribing if you enjoy it! ...

Bringing Peace: Hiawatha

01 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hiawatha is one of the most important pre-contact Indigenous in Canadian history. Along with The Great Peacemaker, he would end decades of war and cre...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Yorkton

28 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Yorkton, SK has seen visits from the Queen and the first Canadian-born Governor General, but also has several historic buildings, the story of a fire ...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Olds

27 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A unique aviator, the Sunnyslope Shelter, an attack by the Japanese during the Second World War, celebrating the end of World War One a week early and...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Altona

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I'm looking at Altona, Manitoba, a small community founded by Mennonites in the 1880s. From a tragic school shooting in 1902, to the fires that...

A Massive Project: The Alaska Highway

24 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I look at the 2,800 KM road that was constructed in eight months in 1942, the Alaska Highway. An engineering marvel of epic proportions that ch...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Roblin

22 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I'm looking at the history of Roblin, Manitoba. From hauntings, to outlaw treasure, to big events and historic buildings, this town has quite a...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Alix

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alix, Alberta is a small community but it has quite an interesting history. From its creamery that was one of the largest in the province, to terrible...

An Interview With Reagan Pasternak

19 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with actress and writer Reagen Pasternak about her new book Griffin's Heart, which is an interactive book to help get over the loss of ...

The Peacemaker: Kondiaronk

17 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Without him, the Great Peace of Montreal in 1701 would have never happened. That peace brought forth 60 years of peace, but Kondiaronk would not live ...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Grande Prairie

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I am looking at the history of Grande Prairie, a large community in northern Alberta. Dinosaurs, visits by The Queen, a stunning bridge and man...

Small Town Histories: The History of Pincher Creek

13 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I look at the history of Pincher Creek, Alberta. From two huge living history villages, to a legendary lost gold mine, to Kootenai Brown himsel...

An Interview With Ryan Barnett

12 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with author and filmmaker Ryan Barnett about his book The Raftsmen, which follows four Canadian men who sailed a raft across the Atlant...

America's Sweetheart: Mary Pickford

10 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

She was called America's Sweetheart, but Mary Pickford always considered herself to be a Canadian. During the height of the silent film era, only Char...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Prince George

07 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Located in northern BC, Prince George started as a fur trade fort, became four settlements that finally merged into one. The home of Mr. PG, two excel...

An Interview With Harrison Houde

05 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with Harrison Houde, the producer and director of Stories of Kindness, an interview series that focuses on spreadking kindness, connect...

Exploring The West: David Thompson

03 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Considered the greatest land geographer who ever lived, and my favourite Canadian historical figure, David Thompson started life on a bad note, and en...

Small Town Histories: The History of Swift Current

31 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I'm looking at Swift Current, SK. A place where you can find wagon ruts dating to the 1800s, a 6,000-year-old Indigenous burial site, a beautif...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Spiritwood

30 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I look at the history of Spiritwood, SK. It is a place that has seen two devastating fires, a legendary arm-wrestling club and even a piece of ...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Steinbach

29 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

South of Winnipeg, you will find the community of Steinbach. Home to the Mennonite Heritage Village, you will also find a beautiful windmill, the firs...

Small Town Histories: The Great Peace Of Montreal

27 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On Aug. 4, 1701, 39 Indigenous Nations signed a treaty with New France in Montreal to end a century of conflict called The Beaver Wars. From that day,...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Kerrobert

25 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I'm looking at the history of Kerrobert, Saskatchewan. From the Great Wall of Saskatchewan, to its historic buildings, to its iconic water towe...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Strathmore

24 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I look at the history of Strathmore, near Calgary. A town that moved to be closer to the irrigation network, it was the site of the first movie...

An Interview With Georgia Waters

22 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with Georgia Waters, who has recently appeared in SIREN, which will be airing on Disney+ and the film Toys of Terror. We chat about her...

Pedaling to Victory: The Canadian Cyclist Battalion

20 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From 1915 to 1918, the Canadian Cyclist Battalion provided a vital service to the war effort. Along with helping send important messages, serving as s...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Leduc

18 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I look named for a French priest, which would become the centre for an oil boom that changed Alberta and Canada forever. It isn't just about oi...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Fort Saskatchewan

17 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I'm looking at the history of Fort Saskatchewan. From its origin as a NWMP fort, to tales of a cannibal, to terrible fires and Royal visits, th...

An Interview With Kurt Spenrath

15 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with Kurt Spenrath, the co-creator of Snow Warrior. The film is a short documentary following Edmonton bike courier Mariah, one of a h...

A Hero of 1812: Tecumseh

13 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I look at the Indigenous leader and hero of the War of 1812, Tecumseh. His death would end the dream of an Indigenous Confederacy, but his lega...

Small Town Histories: The History of Morinville

10 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What started as a French-Canadian colony in the 1890s has become a thriving community in central Alberta. Today, I look at the history of this communi...

An Interview With Crawford Killian

08 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with Crawford Killian, the author of Go Do Some Great Thing, which is the story of the black pioneers who settled in British Columbia i...

Robbing The High Seas: Canada's Piracy History

06 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I look at the 200 years from the 1600s to 1800s, when swashbuckling pirates patrolled the waters of Canada from Newfoundland down to Nova Scoti...

An Interview With Camille Hollett-French

03 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with Camille Hollett-French about her new film Endomic, which takes a humourous look at endometriosis, a chronic condition with a high ...

Small Town Histories: The History of Dawson Creek

02 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I look at the city that sits at Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway, the construction of which has defined the history of Dawson Creek. From a deadly ...

An Interview With MP Mumilaaq Qaqqaq

01 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with NDP MP for Nunavut, Mumilaaq Qaqqaq. We talk about her goals for her first term, the main issues facing the Canadian North, what a...

Advocating For His People: Frederick Loft

27 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Fred Loft was one of the foremost Indigenous activists of the early-20th century, and he would help found the League of Indians, which would inspire o...

An Interview With Chad Reimer

24 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with author and historian Chad Reimer, who recently wrote a book about a murder trial in late-19th century British Columbia. Called The...

An Interview With Steve Smith

22 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with the man who brought Red Green and Possum Lodge to life, Steve Smith. We chat about his new podcast, The Possum Lodge Podcast. Fin...

A Great Leader: Chief Maquinna

20 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the late-1700s, Chief Maquinna would become the most important Indigenous leader on the BC coast through is dealing with European powers. For over ...

Small Town Histories: The History of Claresholm

18 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I look at Claresholm, the town with the oldest motorized school bus in Canada, the hometown of one of the Famous Five, and the location where m...

An Interview with Lorna Poplak

17 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with Lorna Poplak about her book, The Don, which looks at the history of the very notorious jail in Toronto that operated for 150 years...

An Interview With Stephen Brown

15 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with author Stephen Brown, who wrote a book about the rise and fall of the Hudson's Bay Company. We talk about the company, the people ...

A Symbol Of Canada: The Great Canadian Flag Debate

13 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For a period of almost two years, Canada was embroiled in the debate over a new Canadian flag. It would grind Parliament to a standstill, protests on ...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Kindersley

11 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I look at the community that features an original sod house, the Great Wall of Saskatchewan, the Great Sand Dunes and much more. A trip to Kind...

An Interview With Alexis Taylor

10 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with Country music artist Alexis Taylor, who recently released a new single called Getaway. We talk about her single, the upcoming EP a...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Beaumont

09 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I look at the French community of Beaumont, located just south of Edmonton. From its founding as a French colony, to its stunning church, to th...

An Interview With Bruce Whitty

08 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with Canadian nature filmmaker Bruce Whitty, who has made a number of films that look at nature in North America, including the recent ...

A Famous Moment: The Shawinigan Handshake

06 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It has been 25 years since a protester confronted Prime Minister Jean Chretien, sparking one of the most famous Canadian photos from the 1990s, and an...

An Interview With Canadian Politics Is Boring

03 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I talk with the Rhys and Jesse about their excellent podcast Canadian Politics Is Boring. Each week, they look at something from Canadian histo...

An Interview With Daniel Schubert

01 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with filmmaker Daniel Schubert about his film Martha, which follows his grandmother who survived the Holocaust. The film is available t...

Canada's Favourite Dog: The Littlest Hobo

30 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The show with the song every Canadian knows the lyrics to. It is The Littlest Hobo and today I look at the history of this uniquely Canadian show belo...

An Interview With Vera Maloff

27 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Doukhobors are a people who came to Canada in the early-1900s and helped shape the areas they settled in. They were also forced to deal with preju...

An Interview With Kate McKenzie

25 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with Kate McKenzie, a filmmaker who travelled with Martin Parnell to Afghanistan to run a marathon with the first woman in that country...

Finding Refuge: Sitting Bull In Canada

23 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In 1887, Sitting Bull brought his people to Canada after the Battle of Little Big Horn. While he lived in peace and asked for a reserve, the Canadian ...

Small Town Histories: The History of Carlyle

21 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Located in southern Saskatchewan, this community not only boasts a great provincial park steeped in history, but it also has a wonderful museum called...

An Interview With The Just Watch Me Podcast

20 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with Kate and Liv about their podcast Just Watch Me, which looks at various people and events within Canadian history. It is a great sh...

An Interview With Martin Parnell

18 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with multiple Guiness World Record holder Martin Parnell about his new documentary, The Secret Marathon, which follows him and Kate McK...

Ending A Threat: Canada and Polio

16 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From 1910 to 1955, polio was an increasing threat that left thousands handicapped, killed hundreds and was an ever-present danger for Canadians of all...

An Interview With John Macfarlane

13 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with John Macfarlane, who wrote a book with Lynn Salmon about Capt. George Voss, the man who took a dugout canoe around the world, from...

An Interview With Loretta Todd

11 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with acclaimed director Loretta Todd, whose film Monkey Beach premiered on Crave TV on January 6. We talk about Indigenous filmmaking, ...

A Deadly Disease: Smallpox and The Indigenous

09 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From the moment Europeans arrived, they brought with them a deadly disease called smallpox. For the next 350 years, the disease would spread through t...

Small Town Histories: The History of Maidstone

07 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From the Battle of Cut Knife, to the noted artist who lived nearby, to the many historic sites around the community, Maidstone, Saskatchewan has a uni...

An Interview With Lorne Cardinal

06 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Since he first reached our homes as Sgt. Davis on Corner Gas, Lorne Cardinal has continued to stay busy. From a recurring role on FBI: Most Wanted, to...

An Interview With Bob Joseph

04 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with Bob Joseph, the president of Indigenous Corporate Training and the author of 21 Things You May Not Know About The Indian Act. Get...

Radiation From Above: Kosmos 954

02 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On Jan. 24, 1978 the residents of the NWT, Alberta and British Columbia saw something streaking through the sky. Little did they know that it was a So...

An Interview With Jeremy Torrie

30 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with Jeremy Torrie, the director of the The Corruption of Divine Providence, which was released this year and stars several notable act...

An Interview With Scott Renyard

28 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with environmental filmmaker and the creator of The Green Channel, Scott Renyard. We talk about the streaming service, what we can do t...

A Changing World: The Indigenous and The Hudson's Bay Company

26 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I take a different look at the Hudson's Bay Company and explore how it impacted the Indigenous people of Canada, from its founding in 1670 all ...

An Interview With Jean Barman

23 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with Professor Jean Barman of the University of British Columbia about her book On The Cusp of Contact, which is a collection of articl...

An Interview With Kenny Hotz and Spencer Rice

21 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with Canadian comedy legends Kenny Hotz and Spencer Rice, creators of the fantastic Kenny vs Spenny. We talk about their recent special...

Female Firsts In Canadian Politics

19 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From Hannah Gale, the first woman elected to a city council, to Kim Campbell, our first female prime minister, Canada has had over a century of women ...

An Interview With Keilani Rose

16 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today I speak with actor, director, dancer and DJ Keilani Rose. Appearing in several television shows, she is also involved in many projects including...

An Interview With Antonio Cayonne

14 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with Antonio Cayonne, who has starred on Prison Break, The X-Files, iZombie and more. This month, he is the lead in the Hallmark movie ...

The Last Survivor: Shanawdithit

12 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

She is the last-known full-blooded Beothuk in history and her drawings and stories helped preserve her culture from being lost to history. Today, I lo...

Small Town Histories: The History Of Milk River

11 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From the nearby site with hundreds of ancient Indigenous carvings, to dinosaur eggs, to a history that includes being under eight different flags, Mil...

An Interview With Alan Doyle

09 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I speak with Alan Doyle, the lead singer and songwriter of Great Big Sea. We talk about COVID-19, what he is up to and his new book All Togethe...

An Interview With Dr. Colin Read

07 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today on the podcast, I speak with Dr. Colin Read about the 1837/1838 Lower and Upper Canada Rebellions. While the rebellions had a massive impact on ...

Gold Seeking: The Klondike Gold Rush

05 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The most-orderly and last great gold rush in history, the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-1899 changed Canada and the people who took part in it. With 100,...