History is an argument, built on the biases of its writers and readers. In episode 5, we begin to look beyond the "why" of history to begin the process of establishing a base chronology of events—the essential starting point for any rigorous historical interpretation. This will allow us to understand better histories and to connect our intrinsic thinking to extrinsic factors (the context of the time). We start with the ‘money in, money out’ logic that transformed the Canadian west. ANI and I bridge the gap between historical theory and Canadian reality. 

Using the 1879 National Policy as a critical event and context, we analyze how Canada’s early economic focus viewed the West as a transactional ledger and how related decisions impacted the communities, peoples and infrastructures already in, and arriving to, the West. St. Paul des Métis, in an area later to be northeastern Alberta, acts as our example to begin an illustration of how the context of the time and biases of the writer shift the historian’s interpretation to find better histories to tell.

Key Concepts Explored

The National Policy (1879)

• Protective Tariffs (Implemented in 1879)
• Transcontinental Railway (CPR incorporated in 1881)
• Western Immigration 1870-1930 (Aggressive recruitment intensified following the policy's adoption)

This three-stage Immigrant Survival Strategy contrasts the National Policy and Clifford Sifton’s desire for purely productive, "efficiency-focused" farmers.

• A linear progression often seen in successful minority immigrant cultures, these steps move from physical arrival (Grouping), to social connection (Uniting), and finally to the continuous battle to Protect (and struggle - often centered on language use and retention).

La Langue C'est la Vie

“Tear off the tongue to a man and you take away his life. Tear off the tongue to his race, you kill it…” source: le Patriote de l’Ouest, vol. 1, no 50, 15 feb 1912, 1.

Sources & References

• Georg Iggers: Historiography in the Twentieth Century: From Scientific Objectivity to the Postmodern Challenge (1997).
• Dr. John Fontaine: 
• St. Paul des Métis, 1896 to 1909 - the Dual Roles of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. University of Alberta (2009).
• Grouper, Unir, Protéger: Elite Strategies and the Formulation of a French-Catholic Identity in Western Canada, 1870-1930. PhD Dissertation, University of Alberta (2019).

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Music Credits

Track: Violin Concerto in F minor, RV 297 'Winter'

• Composer: Antonio Vivaldi
• Performed by: The Modena Chamber Orchestra
• Source: Musopen.org
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

Track: "It's Time!"

• Voice Artist: Bruce Buffer
• Source: Myinstants.com
• License: Fair Use/Stylistic Commentary

"History is not factual; it is interpretive, and it is messy. Keep questioning the teller."

The Team:

Dr. John Fontaine: Host & Executive Producer

Dr. Marcia Kim: Podcast/script editor

Kaviya Govindaraj: Marketing & Design