Canada's History Podcast

For decades, Bob Joseph has been a pivotal voice in advancing the dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. He is the author of the national best seller, 21 Things You Might Not Know About the Indian Act and, more recently, 21 Things You Need to Know About Indigenous Self Government . In the Autumn 2026 issue of Canada’s History magazine, he wrote "Acting Out," a thoughtful examination of how the Indian Act continues to impact all Canadians. You can read it on CanadasHistory.ca at https://www.canadashistory.ca/explore/first-nations-inuit-metis/how-the-indian-act-affects-you .

To reflect on the transformative summer of Montreal 1976, Canada’s History recently brought together two Canadians with thoughts to exchange. Heather Hiscox, a 43-year veteran of the broadcasting industry, spent two decades as the face of CBC Morning Live and has covered 10 Olympic Games. Richard “Dick” Pound is the longest-serving member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). An Olympic swimmer in the 1960 Summer Games in Rome, Pound was a key member of the Canadian Olympic Association (COA) for the 1976 Summer Games and has been a defining force in the Olympic Movement for more than 40 years. For even more Canadian history, subscribe to any of our free newsletters at CanadasHistory.ca/Newsletters

The Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line was a radar defence network in Canada’s Arctic. It was a Cold War engineering marvel, but it had terrible effects on the land and Inuit communities. With Arctic defence once again a topic of concern, Canada's History Society CEO Melony Ward interviews experts about the DEW Line and its impact.

From Black stevedores in the American Deep South, to Hawaiian Inuit dances, to folk singers on Canada's East Coast music scene -- discover the fascinating world of sea shanties in a special episode by Canada's History contributor Jonah Grignon. With music recorded live by the Bytown Sea Shanty Collective. Music credits: Traditional shanties performed by the Bytown Sea Shanty Collective, used with permission of the artists "Heave Away," traditional, performed by Roger McGuinn, licensed from freemusicarchive.org "Hawaiian Ciribiribin" composed by Alberto Pestalozza, recorded in 1919 by Louise and Ferera, public domain https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/hawaiian-ciribiribin-1919/ "Medley of sea songs," traditional, recorded in 1913, public domain https://www.loc.gov/item/jukebox-133664/ "Medley of sea chanties," traditional, recorded in 1914, public domain https://www.loc.gov/item/jukebox-649564/

The victory at Vimy Ridge, France, remains Canada’s most storied attack of the First World War. Beginning on April 9, 1917, all four Canadian divisions advanced side-by-side for the first time in a single attack. But the victory came at a cost: During four days of fighting, Canada suffered more than ten thousand casualties. Today, war letters offer a window on that long-ago time. Here, in their own words, are the stories of the soldiers who fought, and the loved ones back home who cherished them. Music credits: Stories Behind the History theme music: "The Red River Jig" performed by Alex Kusturok, licensed from the artist. Opening Theme: “The Planets, Op. 32; Jupiter,” by Gustav Holst, 1914–1916 William Bell: “Keep the Home Fires Burning,” by Ivor Novello, lyrics by Lena Guilbert Ford, 1914 B.R. Empey: “Symphony No. 3; A Pastoral Symphony,” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1922 Maurice Bracewell: “The Planets, Op. 32; Saturn,” by Gustav Holst, 1914–1916 George Broome / Violet Moyer: “Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95; From the New World,” by Antonín Dvořák, 1893 Sydney Winterbottom: “Good Luck to the Boys of the Allies,” by Morris Manley, 1915 Sydney Winterbottom: “Scotland the Brave” – Traditional, Early twentieth century Frank J. Whiting: “Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36; Var. IX – Nimrod,” by Edward Elgar, 1898–1899 Frank J. Whiting: “The Last Post” – Military, seventeenth century End Credits: “The Lark Ascending,” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1914 (Revised 1920)

In 1948, the people in the British colony of Newfoundland faced a choice. They could become an independent country within the British Commonwealth. Or, they could vote to join Canada in Confederation. In this special series of episodes we travel to St. John’s, Newfoundland, to interview four prominent Newfoundlanders about their memories of the Confederation debate, and ask if they think Newfoundland made the right choice when it joined Canada. In Episode 3, Life after Confederation, our guests discuss the consequences of Newfoundland's big decision. Guests: Former Newfoundland Premier Clyde Wells, artist Kathleen Knowling, writer Bernice Morgan, and former federal MP Richard Cashin. Host: Canada's History magazine senior editor Kate Jaimet Art:"Malcolm Rogers' house is towed by a 40hp motor boat from Fox Island to Flat Island during resettlement," Newfoundland, August 1961. Photographer: Bob Brooks. Library and Archives Canada, National Film Board Fonds. Copyright expired. Sound credits: "Ode to Newfoundland" – licensed under Creative Commons – wikimedia - https://en.wikipedia/org/wiki/File:Newfoundland_and_Labrador.ogg "The Red River Jig" performed by Alex Kusturok, licensed from the artist "The Gloom of my Soul" by Harpo Marks, licensed from PremiumBeat.com

In 1948, the people in the British colony of Newfoundland faced a choice. They could become an independent country within the British Commonwealth. Or, they could vote to join Canada in Confederation. In this special series of episodes we travel to St. John’s, Newfoundland, to interview four prominent Newfoundlanders about their memories of the Confederation debate, and ask if they think Newfoundland made the right choice when it joined Canada. In Episode 2, The Confederation Debate, we hear the voices of Confederation's most ardent supporter, Joseph Smallwood, and its most vocal advocate of independence under responsible government, Peter Cashin. And our guests weigh in on their memories of the debate that rocked Newfoundland. Guests: Former Newfoundland Premier Clyde Wells, artist Kathleen Knowling, writer Bernice Morgan, and former federal MP Richard Cashin. Host: Canada's History magazine senior editor Kate Jaimet Art:"Malcolm Rogers' house is towed by a 40hp motor boat from Fox Island to Flat Island during resettlement," Newfoundland, August 1961. Photographer: Bob Brooks. Library and Archives Canada, National Film Board Fonds. Copyright expired. Sound credits: Ode to Newfoundland – licensed under Creative Commons – wikimedia - https://en.wikipedia/org/wiki/File:Newfoundland_and_Labrador.ogg "The Gloom of my Soul" by Harpo Marks, licensed from PremiumBeat.com Snare drums: Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution non-commercial license from zagi2 on Freesound.org. https://freesound.org/people/zagi2/sounds/673466/ All archival audio from the National Convention: Public domain. Provided by The Rooms Provincial Archives Division. Second World War Prosperity (00:00:44 - 00:06:17) The Great Confederation Debate (00:06:17 - 00:17:16) The Votes Are Cast (00:17:16 - 00:24:19) A New Era for Newfoundland (00:24:19 - 00:25:29)

In 1948, the people in the British colony of Newfoundland faced a choice. They could become an independent country within the British Commonwealth. Or, they could vote to join Canada in Confederation. In this special series of episodes we travel to St. John’s, Newfoundland, to interview four prominent Newfoundlanders about their memories of the Confederation debate, and ask if they think Newfoundland made the right choice when it joined Canada. In Episode 1, Life in a British Colony, we explore life in Newfoundland in the 1930s and 1940s, the years leading up to the Confederation debate. Guests: Former Newfoundland Premier Clyde Wells, artist Kathleen Knowling, writer Bernice Morgan, and former federal MP Richard Cashin. Host: Canada's History magazine senior editor Kate Jaimet Art:"Malcolm Rogers' house is towed by a 40hp motor boat from Fox Island to Flat Island during resettlement," Newfoundland, August 1961. Photographer: Bob Brooks. Library and Archives Canada, National Film Board Fonds. Copyright expired. Sound credits: Ode to Newfoundland – licensed under Creative Commons – wikimedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Newfoundland_and_Labrador.ogg Rule Brittania (MP3 file) – public domain – Free Music Archive https://archive.org/details/RuleBritannia/rule_britannia.mp3 Wearing of the Green (Volume V-10) – John McCormack, Licensed under Creative Commons from musopen.org https://musopen.org/music/43921-john-mccormack-compilation/ Keep the Home Fires Burning – public domain – Library of Congress National Jukebox - https://www.loc.gov/item/jukebox-15093/ Wearing of the Green - public domain – Library of Congress National Jukebox - https://www.loc.gov/item/jukebox-121183/ "The Gloom of my Soul" by Harpo Marks, licensed from PremiumBeat.com

In 1948, the people in the British colony of Newfoundland faced a choice. They could become an independent country within the British Commonwealth. Or, they could vote to join Canada in Confederation. In an upcoming series of episodes we travel to St. John’s, Newfoundland, to interview former Premier Clyde Wells, artist Kathleen Knowling, writer Bernice Morgan, and former MP Richard Cashin about their memories of the Confederation debate, -- and to ask them if they think Newfoundlanders made the right choice when they joined Canada.

Wilhelm Rahn was a 19-year-old German naval ensign when his U-boat was torpedoed by a British submarine off the coast of Corsica in 1943. Plucked from the water by the submarine's helmsman, he ended up in a POW camp in the backwoods of Canada. Join Rahn's grandson Sebastian Koester and historical researcher Bernard Wood for a discussion of life in a Second World War Canadian prisoner of war camp. Sound credits: Claude Debussy, “Dialogue du vent et de la mer,” performed by US Air Force band, licensed under creative commons: https://musopen.org/music/14381-la-mer/ Scream “Hilfe!” made by Phantastonia, licensed under creative commons attribution license: https://freesound.org/people/phantastonia/sounds/615018/ Scream, licensed under creative commons: https://freesound.org/people/RutgerMuller/sounds/104030/ Waves, North Sea, licensed under creative commons: https://freesound.org/people/inchadney/sounds/129454/ Theme music, “Red River Jig,” from the album Métis Fiddling for Dancing, performed by Alex Kusturok, licensed from the artist.

The war in Ukraine has reinvigorated NATO as a bulwark against Russian aggression. But has NATO been a force for peace, or for military escalation? Historian Timothy Sayle digs into the alliance's 75-year history and explores its role in the world today. Episode graphic: copyright NATO Theme music: "Red River Jig" by Alex Kusturok Music & soundclip credits: All soundclips courtesy NATO except the following: 00:00 - Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46 - II. Aase's Death – Edvard Grieg - Czech National Symphony Orchestra – Public Domain / creative commons license / https://musopen.org/music/777-peer-gynt-suite-no-1-op-46/ 00:48 - Chiselling – freesound.org / creative commons license / https://freesound.org/people/acostadelgado/sounds/200803/ 00:50 - Outdoor crowd – freesound.org/ creative commons license / http://www.freesound.org/people/klankbeeld/ 06:41 - Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46 - II. Aase's Death – Edvard Grieg - Czech National Symphony Orchestra – Public Domain / creative commons license / https://musopen.org/music/777-peer-gynt-suite-no-1-op-46/ 06:45 –– Dwight Eisenhower report to a joint session of Congress on the war in Europe and Africa, June 18, 1945 / US National archives (38.15) / unrestricted use https://catalog.archives.gov/id/2363636 08:48 – Soviet Anthem / Wikimedia commons / creative commons attribution – share alike license / https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Soviet_Anthem1955_vocals.ogg 21:58 – Beethoven Moonlight Sonata, Op. 27 No. 2 / performed by Paul Pitman / public domain / creative commons license / https://musopen.org/music/2547-piano-sonata-no-14-in-c-sharp-minor-moonlight-sonata-op-27-no-2/ 22:05 – President Ronald Reagan – speech at the Berlin Wall – 1987-06-12 / White House Television Office / public domain - https://ia801907.us.archive.org/5/items/ReagansSpeechAtTheBerlinWall/President%20Ronald%20Reagans%20Speech%20at%20the%20Berlin%20Wall%201987-06-12.mp4 29:34 – Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture – Skidmore College Orchestra – Creative Commons licence - https://musopen.org/music/5072-1812-overture-op-49/ 30:28 - Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, speaking at a joint press conference with U.S president George H.W. Bush, July 31 1991 / public domain / George Bush Presidential library / https://bush41library.tamu.edu/audiovisual/videos/77

Gather 'round the campfire with Mi'kmaw poet Julie Pellissier-Lush for spine-tingling tales of the supernatural. Reclusive river sprites, ice-hearted ogres, and a storm-summoning giant lynx stalk the wilderness in this storytelling session with additional guest author Amir Aziz and hosted by Canada's History magazine senior editor Kate Jaimet. Image illustration: Axana Zasorina

The roots of the drug addiction crisis in Vancouver's downtown Eastside stretch back to the opium dens of the nineteenth century and the heroin scene of the 1960s. Now, when thousands of people are dying of street drugs spiked with synthetic opioids, historian Dave Hazzan traces the origins of drug culture in Vancouver and other big Canadian cities.

The border between North and South Korea bristles with weapons and with mistrust. A stress point in current global tensions, the border on the 38th Parallel is a seventy-year-old legacy of the Korean War. General Wayne Eyre, Canadian Armed Forces Chief of the Defence Staff, discusses his experiences as Deputy Commander of the United Nations Command in Korea, and explains why the Korean War remains relevant today, along with Canadian War Museum historian Andrew Burtch and Kate Jaimet, senior editor of Canada's History Magazine.

When King George II signed Treaties of Peace and Friendship with PEI's MI'kmaw Chiefs more than 200 years ago, the British monarch promised the Mi'kmaw people the right to hunt and fish on the island forever. But what happened to those treaties when PEI joined Canada in 1873? Historian Christopher Moore and Mi'kmaw legal scholar Cheryl Simon discuss how British law, international treaties, and the deal PEI made with Canada at Confederation have affected everything from fishing rights to property ownership in Canada's smallest province.

The obsessive quest to find a sea route through the Arctic to the riches of China and India claimed the lives of hundreds of European mariners. Best-selling historical author Ken McGoogan discusses the bold and gruesome three-hundred-year search for the Northwest Passage with Kate Jaimet, senior editor of Canada's History magazine.

Winner of the 2023 Canadian Ethnic Media Award for Podcast Feature. When the British and French fought for global domination in the Age of Empire, Canada and India became battlegrounds, colonies, and sources of trade and wealth. International relations scholar Madhuparna Gupta and historical non-fiction author Stephen Bown discuss the colonial connections between Canada and India with host Kate Jaimet, senior editor of Canada's History magazine.