Mining Country

In this episode of the History Slam, Sean Graham chats with John Sandlos, one of the co-authors of Mining Country: A History of Canada’s Mines and Miners. They talk about displacement and mining as part of the colonial project, the popular imagery associated with mining, and the how rural mining sites influence urban industries. They also discuss the environmental impact of mining, the industry’s treatment of workers, and the communities built around mines.

Captain Cook Rediscovered

In this episode of the History Slam, Sean Graham talks with David Nicandri about his new book Captain Cook Rediscovered: Voyaging to the Icy Latitudes. They talk about Cook’s career, the significance of sea ice science, and Cook’s contacts with Indigenous peoples and his place within European colonialism. They also talk about the palm-tree paradigm, the importance of the Northwest Passage, and the threat of climate change to polar environments.

Moonless Oasis

In this episode of the History Slam, Sean Graham talks with filmmakers Nate Slaco and Bryce Zimmerman about their new documentary Moonless Oasis, which profiles efforts to study and preserve the remarkable glass sponge reef in Howe Sound north of Vancouver. They talk about the glass sponge reef, the challenges of shooting underwater, and importance of capturing the reef on film. They also discuss the efforts to preserve the reef, whether this is a nature or human story, and why the reef is an important national story.

The Nature of Canada

In this episode of the History Slam, Sean Graham talks with Colin Coates, one of the editors of the new book The Nature of Canada. They chat about the book, its approach to Canadian environmental history, and the process of putting it together. They also talk about the role of nature in informing Canadian identity, understanding the environments role in reconciliation, and Canadians’ relationship with nature.