A reminder to our readers that you are all invited to the inaugural lecture in the Mississauga Library System’s ‘History Minds’ series, co-hosted with ActiveHistory.ca. The first talk will be on Thursday, March 10th at 7:30PM in Classroom 3 at the Mississauga Central Library (see below the cut for directions).
“A Brief History of Canadian Utopias: Is There a Canadian Utopian Tradition?”
With Professor Colin M. Coates.
Since the arrival of European settlers, various ethnic, religious and political groups have attempted to establish self-consciously utopian communities in different parts of the country. This talk examines some examples of these utopian communities as well as some of the literary expressions of utopian literature related to Canada. It assesses the range and coherence of utopian thought in Canada from the 17th century to the late 20th century.
All talks will be held at the Mississauga Central Library, Classroom 3 on the second floor from 7:30-9 PM on the second Thursday in March, April, and May. The Central Library is located at 301 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W in Mississauga, near the Square One shopping centre and the Civic Centre. Importantly, it’s near the Square One GO Terminal and the Mississauga Transit central terminal.
Utopia undone? Owram’s “The Promise of Eden”? Utopia misrepresented? Haliburton’s “Sam Slick” series… or any of Pierre Berton’s aimless hagiography’s of men who deserved better treatment but had to suffer from the author’s inability to flesh out their character and/or the context of their times? Or, finally the final RCAP report… that proved, above all else, that not all were treated equally in the grand quest for Canadian advancement and harmony and our “Utopia” on earth!
That sounds like a great talk and I’d love to go. Would anyone in the London area be able to give a poor PhD student a ride?