The Backroads Bill Podcast

The Backroads Bill Podcast

By North Bay EchoHistory
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The Backroads Bill Podcast episodes

  • Northern Ontario “Rocks”: A Look Into the Geology of The Province
    Larry Dyke, Professor Emeritus and longtime member of the Geological Survey of Canada, joins the show as we explore the geology and formation of Ontario’s landscape. 

    Larry helps answer the questions of how the rock formations in Ontario were formed, The Canadian Shield, and how climate change is going to change our province in the years and centuries to come. 


    Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_bill
    and on Twitter: @steertonorthONT

    To explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.

    For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials.

    Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho

    Production Credits:

    Host: Backroads Bill Steer
    Producer: Ben Sargent
    Produced by Clark Communications
    1 hr 1 min
  • A Halloween Special Set in Northern Ontario
    It’s the day before Halloween and we invited Chris Darton the director and creator of The Damnation to chat about his new movie!

    The Damnation takes place in the small largely Indigenous Canadian communities of Creek and Buffalo Mines.  Since the closing of the mines a number of years ago the area is a shell of its once thriving past.  The area is mostly made up of seniors and Indigenous people who have inhabited the area for hundreds of years.  To further complicate matters developers - led by a mysterious religious figure have appeared and are clearcutting the land.

    Chris talks about his passion for film making and love of Northern Ontario as well as subtly putting a spotlight on issues that affect many Indigenous communities

    Check out the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg7S2X-K3SE 


    Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_bill
    and on Twitter: @steertonorthONT

    To explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.

    For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials.

    Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho

    Production Credits:

    Host: Backroads Bill Steer
    Producer: Ben Sargent
    Produced by Clark Communications
    55 min
  • Bill’s 2024/25 Winter Prediction
    Backroads Bill has been predicting the winter season for many years using indigenous teachings taught by Gord Restoule.He breaks down when he thinks winter will start, when it will end, how cold it will get and how much snow we will get.

    We also compare his prediction to other predictions from the Weather Network and the Farmers Almanac.


    Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_bill
    and on Twitter: @steertonorthONT

    To explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.

    For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials.

    Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho

    Production Credits:

    Host: Backroads Bill Steer
    Producer: Ben Sargent
    Produced by Clark Communications
    36 min
  • The Magic of Riding the Budd Car
    Budd Cars were a popular way of travel back in the mid 1900s but one still exists in Northern Ontario and has been taking passengers from Sudbury up to White River for many years. It is one of only 2 flag stop trains in Canada.

    Bill recently went on this train with a few friends and he talks about his experience riding the train alongside our guest Teresa Taillefer. Teresa is an artist who used the trip as inspiration for her painting.


    Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_bill
    and on Twitter: @steertonorthONT

    To explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.

    For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials.

    Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho

    Production Credits:

    Host: Backroads Bill Steer
    Producer: Ben Sargent
    Produced by Clark Communications
    41 min
  • Behind the Scenes of Carving Sasquatch Sam
    Gerald Gunkle was tasked by Bill to carve an 8 foot 1500 pound wooden sculpture in the likeness of a sasquatch which now makes it’s home at the Ecology Centre in Mattawa.

    Gerald shares his process, the challenges he faced, and how they were able to transport this huge sculpture across southern Ontario to it’s newest home.


    Check out more of Gerald's work here: https://cancarve.com/blog/ 


    Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_bill
    and on Twitter: @steertonorthONT

    To explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.

    For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials.

    Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho

    Production Credits:

    Host: Backroads Bill Steer
    Producer: Ben Sargent
    Produced by Clark Communications
    52 min
  • What are the Best Fall Destinations in Ontario?
    It is officially fall and today Bill takes us on a road trip all around Ontario to answer the question: what are the best fall destinations?

    Bill also gives his winter prediction and we celebrate a milestone for the podcast!


    Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_bill
    and on Twitter: @steertonorthONT

    To explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.

    For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials.

    Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho

    Production Credits:
    Host: Backroads Bill Steer
    Producer: Ben Sargent
    Produced by Clark Communications
    52 min
  • Norval Morrisseau: The Battle Against Fakes and Asset Defamation - Part 2
    On part 2 we continue our conversation with Cory Dingle and go further into the implications of asset defamation.

    Cory talks about the AI program they designed to spot fake paintings but due to legislation can’t use it. He also looks to the future and how he hopes his team’s battle can shape Canadian art fraud laws.

    Missed part 1? Listen to it here: https://www.northbayecho.ca/norval-morrisseau-the-battle-against-fakes-and-asset-defamation-part-1/ 

    Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_bil
    land on Twitter: @steertonorthONT

    To explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.

    For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials.

    Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho

    Production Credits:

    Host: Backroads Bill Steer
    Producer: Ben Sargent
    Produced by Clark Communications
    52 min
  • Norval Morrisseau: The Battle Against Fakes and Asset Defamation - Part 1
    Norval Morrisseau was a renowned painter that was coined by the French press as “Picasso of the North” after meeting Pablo Picasso. 

    For decades his estate has tried to stop the fake paintings that have flooded the market however their hands are tied by Canadian Legislation.

    Cory Dingle the Executive Director of the Norval Morrisseau Estate joins the podcast in this 2 part episode to shine light on why it’s so hard to prosecute and deal with these fake paintings and how they are fighting to change the way art fraud is handled by Canadian law.



    Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_bill
    and on Twitter: @steertonorthONT

    To explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.

    For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials.

    Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho

    Production Credits:

    Host: Backroads Bill Steer
    Producer: Ben Sargent
    Produced by Clark Communications
    1 hr 4 min
  • The Reesor Siding Tragedy: Canada’s Bloodiest Labour Conflict
    The Reesor Siding Tragedy is a somber lesson on how labour disputes can escalate in a quick and ugly. In 1963 after an escalation between farmers and union workers ended in 3 dead and 8 wounded.

    Charles “Andy” Beaudoin, author of the novel ‘The Reesor Siding Tragedy: Canada’s Bloodiest Labour Conflict’, spent many years working in the forestry industry and with union labour conflicts. He shares his experience researching the novel and also has an interesting connection as his brother was one of the police officers who was on site the night of the tragedy.



    Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_bill
    and on Twitter: @steertonorthONT

    To explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.

    For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials.

    Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho

    Production Credits:

    Host: Backroads Bill Steer
    Producer: Ben Sargent
    Produced by Clark Communications
    47 min
  • One of the Most Unique Museums in Ontario
    West Red Lake Mining Museum is an open air installation residing on its own island. Completely volunteer run, it pays homage to the rich heritage that made Red Lake what it is today.

    Enid Carlson and Brian Kreviazuk, who help run the museum, join Bill and Ben in this week's Backroads Bill podcast to talk about the roots they have in the area and why they have put so much of their own time into maintaining this beautiful museum.

    You can find out more by following the link: https://www.westredlakemuseum.ca/ 

    Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_bill
    and on Twitter: @steertonorthONT

    To explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.

    For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials.

    Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho

    Production Credits:

    Host: Backroads Bill Steer
    Producer: Ben Sargent
    Produced by Clark Communications
    41 min

About The Backroads Bill Podcast

From the publisher's feed

It’s time to hit the backroads of Northern Ontario and beyond with Backroads Bill!

Tune in every Wednesday to explore the history and beauty of Northern Ontario. Alongside host and producer…