Middle North: Strange Things Done

Episode 8: Recreation at Residential Schools in the Far North

The horror of residential schools is a part of Canada's past. In Canada's north, just as in other settler colonial contexts, Indigenous children were ripped from their communities, taken from their parents and, in the name of civilization, subjected to genocidal forces. The aim of these schools was to erase Indigenous culture, identity and peoplehood. This episode looks beyond the middle north, to explore the history of residential schools in the far north. It takes advantage of a recently created podcast on recreation in residential schools in the North West Territories. "How I Survived" was created to tell the "stories of strength, resilience and spirit, and creativity of former students and Survivors." (https://www.howisurvived.ca/). Join us to learn more about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the history of sport education, and remarkable histories of Indigenous resilience in the North. It is a fascinating true story that helps us understand a complex history.

Episode 7: Storytelling in Denedeh: Film, Comics and Horror Fiction with Richard Van Camp

In this episode, we speak with Richard Van Camp about storytelling, community, and Denedeh (the land of the Dene). Drawn to story-telling for its power, Van Camp talks to us about history and fiction. His stories of the Weetago (or Wendigo) are remarkable visions of the Strange Things Done in the Middle North. Listen to hear how being outside and community offers an answer to the hungers of the present day. For access to Richard Van Camp's interviews in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, with the Metis Elders, go to this URL: https://fortsmithmetis.ca/for-the-children/

Episode 6: Sawmills and Small Communities in the Upper Fraser Valley: Interview with Dr. Greg Halseth

The sawmill communities of the Upper Fraser Valley provide a perspectives that may help our reflection on social, economic and environmental processes that shaped the Middle North. Dr. Greg Halseth introduces some of this history and an Oral History Project that work that he and a team of researchers conducted twenty years ago. These oral histories are now available at the Archive of the University of Northern British Columbia and shed light on the particular lived experience of the Upper Fraser Valley after the arrival of the railroad.

Episode Five - The Bennet Dam and Flooding the Tse'kene Heartland

Dr. Daniel Sims speaks about his research into the disruption caused by the creation of the Bennett Dam and the Williston Reservoir. It was built to provide electrical power mainly for southern communities. As shown by this research, the impact of the Dam surprised many of the experts and the tragic legacy continues to impact the First Nations communities of Tsay Keh Dene, Kwadacha, MacLeod Lake and Takla.

Episode Four - Filming by Haida for Haida: Edge of the Knife

The Edge of the Knife is a Haida language film that is an act of language revitalization. The film tells the story of the Gagiit, or the wildman, the interview discusses the creation of the film and the involvement of community in the process. Producers and script-writer Gwaai Edenshaw tells us about filming this unique story in this unique place.