The Secret Life of Canada is a podcast about the country you know and the stories you don't. Join hosts Leah-Simone Bowen and Falen Johnson as they reveal the b... More
The Secret Life of Canada is a podcast about the country you know and the stories you don't. Join hosts Leah-Simone Bowen and Falen Johnson as they reveal the b... More
Available Episodes
5 of 93
S5: The Potlach Ban
In 1921, Chief Dan Cranmer held a secret Potlatch — a ceremony celebrated by many First Nations along the Pacific Northwest. But because the ceremony had been banned by the Canadian government, authorities arrested people and confiscated many ceremonial items. These items then ended up in private collections and museums all over the world. This episode traces the winding journey of the ripple effects of a ban that lasted almost 70 years. We sit down with Dan Cranmer's son Bill Cranmer from the U'mista Cultural Centre to learn about his father’s story and the long process of repatriation by the Kwakwaka'wakw people of these precious items. We also speak with educator Sara Florence Davidson to talk to her about the book Potlatch as Pedagogy, what she has learned through the Potlatch and how her father, Haida artist Robert Davidson, worked to reclaim ceremony and artistic practice after the ban.
With guests Chief Bill Cranmer and Sara Florence Davidson.
For links and more about this episode visit us at: www.cbc.ca/radio/secretlifeofcanada
6/1/2023
38:42
S5: Crash Course on Bread and Cheese
Bread and Cheese. More than just two of Falen and Leah’s favourite foods. Did you know it’s also a day? In Falen’s community of Six Nations, every Victoria Day weekend people from the community get in line and walk through the local arena to get a big squishy slice of bread and a giant hunk of orange cheese. Delicious? Yes. But why?
For more about this episode visit us at : www.cbc.ca/radio/secretlifeofcanada
5/25/2023
14:18
S5: Eugenics in Canada: Leilani Muir's fight for justice
In 1992, Leilani Muir decided to sue the government. Along with thousands of other people Muir was forcibly sterilized as part of a robust government plan for members of the population it deemed “unfit.”
In this episode we learn why some of the most notable Canadians from history championed eugenics, what it is and why Leilani Muir’s decision to step forward and tell her story changed everything.
With guests Dr. Megan Davies and Dr. Ericka Dyck from the Eugenics Archive.
Warning: this episode contains strong language and content.
For more about this episode visit us at: www.cbc.ca/radio/secretlifeofcanada
5/18/2023
40:11
S5: Crash Course on homeless memorials
In the 1990s artist and activist Bonnie Briggs asked herself, “Why isn't there a memorial for homeless people?” In this crash course we look at the work of Bonnie and tie it to the housing crisis we are seeing across the country.
For more about this episode visit us at : www.cbc.ca/radio/secretlifeofcanada
5/11/2023
7:18
S5: The Forgotten War
Not all Canadian history happens in Canada. Over 70 years ago, nearly 30,000 Canadians volunteered to fight in the Korean War. It was the third-deadliest overseas conflict in our nation’s military history — so why is it often referred to as “The Forgotten War”?
In this episode, friend of the pod and producer Eunice Kim joins us as we learn what led to the conflict, why Canada got involved and the lasting impact of a war that technically never ended. Then, we learn how some Korean Canadians are making sure we never forget.
With guests Andrew Burtch, Sun Choung and Eunice Kim.
*Warning: this episode contains strong language and content.
For more about this episode, visit us at: www.cbc.ca/radio/secretlifeofcanada
The Secret Life of Canada is a podcast about the country you know and the stories you don't. Join hosts Leah-Simone Bowen and Falen Johnson as they reveal the beautiful, terrible and weird histories of this land. Season 5 premieres on March 23, 2023 with episodes weekly.