A podcast about “the country you know and the stories you don’t” opens every episode of The Secret Life of Canada. This show is a treasure trove of Canadian history. Hosted by Leah-Simone Bowen and Falen Johnson, it explores the strange, wonderful, and often horrible stories that shape this country. I have followed this podcast since its early seasons, and have relistened to many episodes; it always feels funny, honest, and fair. I could not choose favourites — there hasn’t been an episode I haven’t gained understanding from — but some highlights include “Where is Japantown”, “Crash Course on Canada’s First Mosque”, “The Punjabi Market”, “Crash Course on Ukrainian Canadians”, and “Canada’s historic Palestinian immigration you probably haven’t heard of”. One episode, “Crash Course on British Home Children”, even illuminated parts of my own family history I might never have dived into otherwise.
Turning to books, Hotline (2022) by Dimitri Nasrallah tells the story of a woman who fled the civil war in Lebanon with her son in the 1980s and moves to Montreal. Though trained as a French teacher, she can’t find work in her field, and the only work she is able to get is at a call centre for a weight-loss food company. She’s good at it, and as her clients begin to trust her, she becomes privy to their many secrets. While fictional, the novel is inspired by true experiences of immigration to Canada. It is available through the FVRL system, as both a book and an audiobook on the Libby app.
From “no name” brand to the maple leaf, symbols are often the first identifying markers of a nation. If you’ve grown up in Canada, I am sure you could recognize the symbols of the CN Rail, CBC, and Roots. But how did these and many other symbols of Canada come to be? The documentary Design Canada (2018) recounts the history of Canadian graphic design, even unpacking the messaging in our national hockey jerseys. Focussing on the 60s and 70s, a key period for the development of Canada’s national identity, Design Canada asks how national symbols shape a nation. This film sits down with the designers behind some of Canada’s most iconic imagery, and it is surprisingly touching — who knew graphic design could tug at the heartstrings. It is available for free on Kanopy with your library or student card.
In a time where Canada is reckoning with its history and identity, we cannot fix what we do not understand. If we hope to improve the country that we have inherited, we must seek knowledge. For me, Canada Day is rooted in that pursuit. These resources are only a small selection of the stories that come from Canada, and come to Canada. I’ll be looking for more this July 1, and every one after.F
