What's Old is News

Sean Graham talks with Peggy Nash, one of the co-authors of Women United: Stories of Women's Struggles for Equality in the Canadian Auto Workers Union. They discuss women's contributions to the union in its early years, how negotiating priorities were shaped, and the Second World War's influence on the labour movement. They also chat about the impact of the Autopact and free trade on labour, women's leadership in the modern labour movement, and what it's like to be in the room negotiating against an employer.Historical Headline of the WeekRené Morisette, "Unionization in Canada, 1981 to 2022," Stats Canada, November 23, 2022.

Sean Graham talks with Matthew S. Wiseman, historian of science and medicine in modern Canada. They discuss why militaries engage in scientific research, the civilian benefits of that research, and how scientists navigated their research during the Cold War. They also chat about research consent within a military environment, the challenges of researching the Cold War era, and the legacy of scientific research in the mid-20th cenetury,Matthew will be the delivering the second session of the Shannon Lecture series on Monday October 6 entitled 'Cold War Consent? Military Experimentation and Research Ethics in Mid-Century Canada.'Historical Headline of the WeekMatthew S. Wiseman, "Canada Created a Cold War Isolation Laboratory. It Ended in Scandal," The Walrus, July 31, 2025.

As part of our series with the 2025 Shannon Lecture Series, Sean Graham talks with Sarah Hogenbirk, who will deliver the opening lecture on Monday entitled 'Fighting for Their Place and Recognition: Canadian Servicewomen and Women Veterans in Post-Second World War Canada. The lecture will serve as a launch for Cold War Workers: Labour, Family, and Community in a Nuclear State, in which Sarah has a chapter entitled "Constructing the Military Career Woman, 1950s-60s." They discuss the legacy of women's Second World War service, how the Cold War impacted women's service, and the differences between the three armed services. They also chat about the roles in which women served, the differences in service pre- and post-unification, and the long-term impact of the Cold War era on women's service in the Canadian military.Historical Headline of the WeekRAdm Jennifer Bennett, "Leading as a Woman in the Canadian Forces," The Lookout, October 15, 2012.

We're back from our summer hiatus with a new season and we're kicking it off by talking with Craig Baird, the host of Canada History Ehx about his new book Canada's Main Street: The Epic Story of the Trans-Canada Highway. We talk about his motivation to write about the highway, why the highway doesn't have the same romanticized history as the railroad, and the contested circumstances of its origins. We also chat about the highway's route, how it shaped different regions, and its legacy in Canadian history.Historical Headline of the Week"Ontario is the weakest link in the Trans-Canada Highway, group says," Sootoday.com, August 25, 2025.

Sean Graham talks with Mary Frances Phillips, author of Black Panther Woman: The Political and Spiritual Life of Ericka Huggins. They talk about the process of writing a historical biography of a living person, tracking down new archival sources, and how Ericka Huggins ended up in prison. They also chat about COINTELPRO plots and how Ericka ended up in prison, her spiritual journey and self-car in prison, and how her story serves as an example for other activists.Historical Headline of the WeekAmanda Font, "How the Black Panthers Shaped U.S. Schools," KQED, November 14, 2024.

Sean Graham talks with Paul Kahan, author of Philadelphia: A Narrative History. They talk about the city's origins, its connection to the American Revolution, and how the city's history is distinct from the national story. They also chat about community, Philadelphia's political history, and the local culture. Historical Headline of the WeekNancy Steinbach, "Philadelphia: A City Famous for its History," Voice of America, March 9, 2025.

Sean Graham talks with Caitlin Keliiaa, author of Refusing Settler Domesticity: Native Women's Labour and Resistance in the Bay Area Outing Program. They discuss the residential schooling system in the United States, the goal of outing programs, and Indigenous young women and girls' domestic labour as part of the program. They also chat about the community built by the women, how they resisted in their workplaces, and program's legacy.Historical Headline of the WeekCecily Hilleary, "Indian Boarding Schools 'Outings': Apprenticeships or Indentured Servitude?" Voice of America, November 14, 2021.

Sean Graham talks with John M. Efron, author of All Consuming: Germans, Jews, and the Meaning of Meat. They discuss the relationship between Jewish culture and meat consumption, the unique relationship between Germans culture and Jewish meat, and how that has been depicted over the years. They also chat about the cultural significance of meat and meat production, displays of anti-Semitism related to meat and meat production, and the current discussions surrounding Kosher and Halal meat in Germany.Historical Headline of the WeekJames McAuley, "Why Halal meat generates so much controversy in Europe," Washington Post, October 8, 2018.

Sean Graham talks with Peter Fortna, author of The Fort McKay Métis Nation: A Community History. They talk about the origins of the Nation, which is located in northeastern Alberta, the community connections between the Métis and First Nation, and how colonial government structures have influenced community relationships. They also discuss the role of resources and resource extraction in the economic history of the nation, the significance of the trapline system, and Peter's motivation to make the book open access.Historical Headline of the WeekChris Nelson, "Fort McKay Métis Nation builds booming business in oilsands sector," Calgary Herald, March 25, 2021.

Sean Graham talks with Judith Weisenfeld, author of Black Religion in the Madhouse: Race & Psychiatry in Slavery's Wake. They discuss about the origins of the book, how the antebellum period shaped perceptions of African American religion, and the role of 'religious excitement' in insanity diagnoses. They also chat about the connections between race and religion, the pathologizing of religion by professional psychiatrists, and the legacy of this era.Historical Headline of the WeekMark Moran, "Faith Communities Are Potent Resources for Creating Connection and 'Mattering'," Psychiatric News, December 9, 2020.

Sean Graham is joined by Sarah E.K. Smith, author of Trading on Art: Cultural Diplomacy and Free Trade in North America. They talk about Sarah's interest in cultural diplomacy, what constitutes art in the context of free trade, and how cultural policies shaped artistic and curatorial expression at the end of the 20th century. They then discuss art as a form of resistance, the benefits and challenges of touring exhibitions across countries, and how contemporary questions on trade have influenced the book.Historical Headline of the Week"Mexico says Canada wishes it had its 'cultural riches' amid tariffs feud," The Guardian, December 4, 2024.

With the Canadian election days away, Sean Graham revisits his 2022 conversation with Steve Paikin about his biography John Turner: An Intimate Biography of Canada's 17th Prime Minister. They talk about Turner's lengthy career, which spanned the decriminalization of homosexuality and abortion, stagflation, and free trade. They also discuss Turner’s career, legacy, and what we can learn about modern politics from studying Canada’s 17th Prime Minister.Historical Headline of the WeekRobert Libman, "Will John Turner's Fate Befall Mark Carney?" Montreal Gazette, March 1, 2025.

Sean Graham talks with Barbara Messamore, author of Times of Transformation: The 1921 Canadian General Election about one of Canada's turning point elections. They discuss the post-war economy's, including tariffs, role in the campaign, how suffrage influenced the election, and the emergence of William Lyon Mackenzie King on the national stage. They also chat about whether the lauded 'ballot question' truly exists, how historians and political scientists can differ in their approach to elections, and the legacy of the 1921 campaign.Historical Headline of the WeekJamie Bradburn, "Canada's first female MP and the federal election that changed Ontario," TVO Today, September 23, 2019.

Sean Graham talks with Nina Studer, author of The Hour of Absinthe: A Cultural History of France's Most Notorious Drink. They talk about the drink's origins, its cultural importance in France, and its consumption by French soldiers. They also chat about the class distinctions associated with the drink, how gender dynamics influenced its perception, and the absinthe's an in France in 1915.Historical Headline of the WeekAlice Fisher, "Return of the green fairy: once-notorious absinthe enjoys UK revival," The Guardian, November 15, 2024.

Sean Graham talks with Ruby Smith Diaz, author of Searching for Serafim: The Life and Legacy of Serafim 'Joe' Fortes. They discuss Ruby's introduction to Serafim's story, how she went about researching the book, and some of the challenges she faced in the process. They also chat about how Ruby's artistic background shaped the book's structure, the importance of telling the whole story, and the impact the broader socio-cultural context had on his life.Historical Headline of the WeekAshley Moliere, "Vancouver's first lifeguard Joe Fortes died 100 years ago. What can be learned from his legacy," CBC, February 5, 2022.

Sean Graham is joined by Amanda Bittner, author of Platform or Personality: The Role of Party Leaders in Elections. They talk about how polling data is used, partisan voting patterns, and the role of leaders in swaying voters. They also discuss policies v. personalities, the significance of branding leaders, and the challenges of attracting people to politics.Historical Headline of the WeekDouglas Todd, "Why Canadian journalists are entering politics at a rapid rate," Vancouver Sun, January 2, 2025.

Sean Graham is joined by Dan Black, author of Oceans of Fate: Peace and Peril Aboard the Steamship Empress of Asia. They talk about the ship's earliest voyage following its 1913 commissioning, its service during the First World War and the Chinese Labour Corps, and its refitting after the war. They also talk about its interwar service, its sinking during the Second World War, and how the ship's history is best told through the story of those who were on-board.Historical Headline of the WeekJohn Mackie, "Historic Chinese, Canadian Pacific Railway and Klondike Collections Unite in new UBC Museum," Vancouver Sun, April 26, 2024.

Sean Graham is joined by Eugenia Kisin, author of Aesthetics of Repair: Indigenous Art and the Form of Reconciliation. They discuss what qualifies as 'art', how the intent shapes understanding of cultural materials, and how works are commoditized. They also chat about artistic agency, the impact of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the value of having time to reflect on research before writing.Historical Headline of the WeekBen Fenlon, "B.C. Indigenous coffee company brews truth, reconciliation, one cup at a time," The Williams Lake Tribune, December 27, 2024.

Sean Graham is joined by Jennifer Neville, author of Truth is Trickiest: The Case for Ambiguity in the Exeter Book Riddles. They discuss the background of the riddles, who may have transcribed them and why, as well as the challenge of deciphering their meaning. They also talk about the literary tradition behind the riddles, the various interpretations and arguments surrounding potential answers, and what they can tell us about the nature of literature both 1,000 years ago and today.Historical Headline of the WeekJo Livingstone, "What do our oldest books say about us?" The New Republic, November 7, 2018.

Sean Graham is joined by Robin C. Whittaker, author of Alumnae Theatre Company: Nonprofessionalizing Theatre in Canada. They discuss the establishment of the Alumnae Theatre Company and its place as Canada's longest-running women-led theatre group, how the group survived its early years, and the place of non-professional theatre in 20th century Canada. They also chat about the economics of amateur theatre, the challenges of writing original productions, and the legacy of Canada's non-professional theatres.Historical Headline of the WeekJoshua Chong, "A glimpse inside Canada's independent theatre sector, the forgotten lifeblood of the arts," Toronto Star, November 25, 2024.