Mainstreet Halifax

When the Shubenacadie Canal was originally surveyed in 1767, it was meant to facilitate transportation between Halifax and the agricultural, timber and coal-producing areas of northern Nova Scotia and the Annapolis Valley. But these days the canal and park are largely used for recreational activities. Since 1984, the Shubenacadie Canal Commission has been trying to preserve the waterway, its history and its new life, so last week, Mainstreet's Rob Doublett jumped into a kayak with commissioner Cait Green for a tour.

To mark National Indigenous Peoples Day, Mainstreet broadcasts live from Millbrook First Nation. Host Jeff Douglas is joined by Don Julien of the Mi'kmawey Debert Cultural Centre, Heather Stevens of the Millbrook Cultural & Heritage Centre, Dawn MacDonald and Justine Maloney of the Nova Scotia Native Women's Association, and traditional singer and drum keeper Michael R Denny, who is also emcee of the day's Mawio’mi.

To mark National Indigenous Peoples Day, Mainstreet broadcasts live from Millbrook First Nation. Host Jeff Douglas is joined by the CBC's Jane Sponagle from Kejimkujik National Park & National Historic Site, Millbrook Chief Bob Gloade, lead male dancer of the Mawio’mi Brady Googoo and Millbrook councillor Carley Gloade.

To mark National Indigenous Peoples Day, Mainstreet broadcasts live from Millbrook First Nation. Host Jeff Douglas is joined by Mi'kmaw linguist Bernie Francis and the CBC's Sis'moqon who was in Shubenacadie for an event called Freedom Day.

While it's been 40 years since Mainstreet hit the airwaves, 1984 also marks the beginning of the Friends of the Public Gardens in Halifax. Host Jeff Douglas is joined by the organization's treasurer, Janet Brush, to talk about its history and this four-decade milestone.

When he was a kid and summer arrived in Paqtnkek First Nation, Trevor Gould's dad would tell him, "the river does not belong to you yet." He joins host Jeff Dougals to explore this memory and share its meaning.

A new podcast series called Right of Way looks at coastal access issues around Nova Scotia by talking with users and landowners. Creators Hannah Harrison and Nic Winkler join host Jeff Douglas to talk about the podcast, which will drop its first episode on Sunday, June 23.

The executive director of the Nova Scotia Indigenous Tourism Enterprise Network, Robert Bernard, joins host Jeff Douglas to talk about how the volunteer organization creates more opportunities for sharing and learning Mi'kmaw culture and history. The organization's acronym, N’SITEN, is also a Mi'kmaw word, which means "we want you to understand."

The Caledonian Orchestra of Nova Scotia has been active in the province since 1993. The group rehearses and performs traditional sounds of 'Old Scotland' in different communities across the province. Mainstreet's Alex Guye went to one of their rehearsals last month, to hear what the group is all about and why its members, including 90-year-old conductor Nelson Ferguson, are still so passionate about it.

Feed Nova Scotia first opened its doors 40 years ago as the Metro Food Bank Society. With Food Banks Canada saying this week poverty is worse than official statistics let on, host Jeff Douglas is joined by Dianne Swinimer and Nick Jennery to talk about the origins of food banks in Nova Scotia, how they've evolved and what they can do to address today's level of need.