Category Archives: Canadian history

Not as Funny as ‘Binders Full of Women’: The History of Motherhood, the Culture of Mother-Blame, and Why we are not as Outraged by Romney’s Critique of Single Parenthood

By Angela Rooke Responding to an audience member question about assault rifles falling into the hands of criminals, Governor Mitt Romney pivoted and connected crime to families: “gosh, to tell our kids that before they have babies, they ought to think about getting married to someone — that’s a great idea because if there’s a two-parent family, the prospect of… Read more »

Cogs in the Machine?: We need a wrench!

      2 Comments on Cogs in the Machine?: We need a wrench!

By Joseph Tohill Less than two weeks to go in the US presidential election campaign, and the candidates are (surprisingly) running neck and neck. The sense of disappointment in incumbent President Barack Obama is palpable, especially after his sleepy first debate performance turned what should have been a runaway race into a real contest. Of course, the current disappointment is… Read more »

Animating History: How to Build a Simulation for History Education

By Kevin Colton We’re a visual species, we humans.  History is often learned best when its words are accompanied with charts and maps, diagrams and photos.  I love looking at these pictures to get different perspectives about the events they document. I’m a software developer rather than an historian, but I think the simulation software I’ve developed can provide another… Read more »

New Paper: The Re-Writing of History: The Misuse of the “Draft Dodger”

We failed Kimberly Rivera because we left the arguments against letting war resisters stay in Canada unchallenged as the Government of Canada and their supporters’ misused history to persecute soldiers of conscience.

Call for Working Groups for the 2013 National Council in Public History Annual Meeting

Working groups, involving facilitators and up to twelve discussants, allow conferees to explore in depth a subject of shared concern before and during the annual meeting. In these seminar-like conversations, participants have a chance to discuss questions raised by specific programs, problems, or initiatives in their own public history practice with peers grappling with similar issues. Working groups articulate a… Read more »

“I’ve Never Heard of the Métis People”: The Politics of Naming, Racialization, and the Disregard for Aboriginal Canadians

by Crystal Fraser and Mike Commito The controversial selection of a hamburger name by a Toronto restaurant had customers and critics raising their eyebrows this past August. Holy Chuck Burgers, located on Yonge Street, specializes in gourmet hamburgers, some of which sport clever titles like “Go Chuck Yourself” and “You Fat Pig.” Recently, the restaurant has come under criticism, not… Read more »

History Slam Episode Seven with Jim Dean: Ottawa’s Haunted Walk

https://activehistory.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Haunted-Walk-Edited.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadBy Sean Graham With Halloween just around the corner the History Slam decided to get into the spirit and explore the world of ghost tours! In the first half of the podcast I chat with Jim Dean of Ottawa’s Haunted Walk about how they put together their stories and the importance of historical accuracy. In… Read more »

Learning from the Swollen Rivers of the Past

      No Comments on Learning from the Swollen Rivers of the Past

By Thomas Peace I may be cursed. Everywhere I move flooding seems to follow.  Last fall, my family and I moved to White River Junction, Vermont. On an apartment hunt, my father and I arrived in the Green Mountain State immediately following Hurricane Irene.  Pulling into Rutland we were told that there were no roads open that crossed the state… Read more »

Exposing Nature: Aerial Photography as Witness and Memorial in Bonshaw, Prince Edward Island

By Dr Josh MacFadyen [Cross-posted on The Otter] The technologies that have helped enclose us from nature may also help expose us, exposing us to hidden and fragile ecosystems and the common efforts to protect them. Environmental historians argue that the average North American has less contact with the natural environment than any previous generation; we simply spend less of… Read more »

Enterprise: Labour and Gender History through the Photographer’s lens

“Enterprise” is an exhibition that deserves to be seen. It makes you feel history and think about it. What more could we ask for in an active history?