the hidden island

Islanders and the ocean have been connected for centuries, beginning with the Mi'kmaq who travelled in birch bark canoes. Before modern vehicles came into play, the water was basically a road. It was often quicker to travel by water than by horse and carriage - as we learn in this episode. But with the ocean comes danger. In this episode, we discover how many ships sunk off the coast of PEI - some as recent as the late 1900s.

Features guest interviews: Junior Peter-Paul, Georges Arsenault and Paul Gallant.

Have you ever wondered what PEI looked like 290 million years ago? In episode 2, we explore PEI's geological history, beginning even before the time of dinosaurs, flowers, and birds. Learn about why our soil is red, how we were once at the centre of the world, and what incredible fossils have been found on the island.

Contact the provincial archaeologist by email ([email protected]) or by phone (902-368-6895) if you believe you've found a fossil. Contact Parks Canada at 1-877-852-3100 for potential fossils found in PEI National Park. 

Features guest interviews: Dr. John Calder, Bob Sweet and Samantha Kelly.

In Part 2, we explore the concept of "islandness" and how it relates to the feeling of home, how nostalgic home can feel when you're stuck living off-island. We also touch a hot topic: do you have to be born an islander, or can you become one by choice? Finally, we talk about what keeps islanders away today, whether that's lack of work, racism and xenophobia, and the way PEI is slow to accept other people.

Features guest interviews: Dr. Laurie Brinklow, Georges Arsenault, Dr. Ed MacDonald, Isabelle Gallant and Thinh Nguyen.

Thinh's blog: https://thepeithinhker.wordpress.com/

We start off season two at the beginning: the creation of Epekwitk told by Mi'kmaq legends. Skipping centuries here and there, we learn about the many people this island became home to and follow their patterns of migration. Whether expelled by the English in the mid-1700s, looking for work, or yearning for somewhere new, not all islanders stay on PEI. We explore what that looked like, and more importantly, what it meant for islanders to have to leave home throughout the centuries.

Features guest interviews: Riley Bernard, Georges Arsenault, Dr. Ed MacDonald.

And we're back! Listen to our season two trailer, then return Sept. 22, 2021 to catch the entire season.

Public statuary has been a part of the Prince Edward Island landscape for over a hundred years now, and yet there's a lack of women representation. In episode 1, we talk about the history of public statuary and monuments on the Island and why it's so difficult to find statues featuring women today.

Features guest interviews: Dr. Edward MacDonald, Jane Ledwell, and Amanda Creamer.

This Island has strong roots in storytelling, beginning with the Mi'kmaq people that inhabited Epekwitk (Prince Edward Island) thousands of years ago. In episode 3, we talk about this Island's history with storytelling among Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, and explore some Island ghost stories. Get ready to be spooked!

Features guest interviews: Julie Pellissier-Lush, Eric Creamer, Brandi Coughlin, and Meg Preston.

The 2SLGBTQIA+ community on Prince Edward Island has been campaigning for change and equal rights for decades. In episode 2, we explore the history of queer pride on the Island, and what it's like for members of the community today.

Features guest interviews: Dr. Nola Etkin, Rory Starkman, Amanda Creamer, and Luke.

**Content warning: this episode contains homophobic slurs and mentions of sexual assault. Please take care of yourself while listening.

PRIDE PEI: https://pridepei.ca/

PEERS Alliance: https://www.peersalliance.ca/

Check out the trailer for our new podcast series, "the hidden island." Come back on Sept. 4, 2020 for the first few episodes!