the hidden island

Did you know that Chinese Islanders have been living on Prince Edward Island since as early as 1850? Trista Jiali Liang and Camellia Nguyen take us back in time to discuss the history of Chinese immigration to Canada and PEI, and how Asian immigration has contributed to a resilient and culturally diverse Island community. The book "Chinese Islanders: Making a Home in the New World" by Dr. Hung-Min Chiang was referenced throughout this episode. Features guest interviews: Jerry Wang (UPEI), Kevin MacLean (Orwell Corner Historic House)

Happy National Tourism Week! Host Camellia Nguyen, Communications Coordinator of the Museum & Heritage Foundation will take you on a journey to explore how tourism became PEI's leading industry. In addition to the history of tourism, this episode also covers discussions about the Island's food culture, the impact of climate change on tourism, emerging tourism sectors, and the love-hate relationship between Islanders and tourists. Features guest interviews: Dr. Edward MacDonald, Crystal MacGregor (Food Island PEI), Corryn Clements (TIAPEI), Dr. Matthew McRae, Monisha Rodricks

Hurricane Fiona in 2022 prompted us to reflect on the state of climate change on the Island. Join Daniel McRae, Lead Researcher at MacPhail Woods, and Matthew McRae, Executive Director of the Museum & Heritage Foundation as they discuss the many natural (or human) disasters that happened on PEI. Spoiler: brace yourself for a stormy future. Features guest interviews: Dr. Douglas Sobey, Peter Nishimura (Government of PEI - EECA), Donald Jardine (UPEI Climate Lab), Kate MacQuarrie (Government of PEI - EECA), Stuart Hickox (Tree Stories PEI)

In this episode, we travel back with the Canadian Time Machine podcast to look at the moment Prince Edward Island entered Confederation. Historian Dr. Edward MacDonald takes us back to the Charlottetown Conference, where it’s said that discussions about the Dominion of Canada flowed over several glasses of champagne. He’ll also help us understand why PEI joined the country six years after it was formed. This episode also features reflections on reconciliation from Julie Pellissier-Lush, an actress, knowledge keeper, storyteller, and the first Mi’kmaq Poet Laureate for PEI. More episodes are available at: https://lnkfi.re/canadian-time-machine To read the episode transcripts in French and English, and to learn more about historic Canadian milestones, please visit thewalrus.ca/canadianheritage. There is also a French counterpart of this show called Voyages Dans L’Histoire Canadienne so if you’re bilingual and want to listen to more, visit https://lnkfi.re/Voyages-dans-lhistoire-canadienne.

In this first myth-busting episode of season four, diversity specialist Evelyn Bradley and Dr. Matthew McRae - Executive Director of the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation debunk common misconceptions about Black Islanders. Was there slavery in PEI? What happened to The Bog? Tune in to find out! Features guest interviews: Linda Hennessey and Debbie Langston. Featured music: Scott Parson's "Darkie’s Hollow"

Back for more? Good - we're back again for season four! Check out the teaser for things to come and join us on February 29th for the premiere episode.

Continuing on the previous conversation about Black Islanders' past and present, Evelyn Bradley is joined by Dante Bazard, Manager of Anti-Racism Initiatives with the Government of PEI. Learn about Dante's advocacy journey, as well as what the future holds for the Black community in PEI. Features guest interviews: Aaron Sardinha, Tamara Steele, and Jasonique Moss.

There’s something about the flickering light of a campfire that brings out the storyteller in everyone. Ghost stories, creation legends, family history – you name it, it’s been talked about. Today’s episode is inspired by those summer storytelling nights. We discuss different folklore found on Epekwitk/Prince Edward Island, including supernatural creatures and spooky forerunners. We’ll also hear about some old home remedies and traditional Acadian wedding customs. Features guest interviews: Julie Pellissier-Lush, Marian Bruce, Dutch Thompson and Georges Arsenault.

BIPOC USHR is hosting a takeover episode of ‘the hidden island!’ Listen to Sobia Ali-Faisal, Kendi Tarichia (King Kxndi), Amirah Oyesegun and Stephanie Arnold talk about their experiences living on the Island – beginning in the 1980s up until today. They discuss the many barriers and discriminating experiences BIPOC folks living on the often Island face, and what the road to joy has looked like through it all. BIPOC USHR's website: https://www.bipocushr.org Features: Sobia Ali-Faisal, Kendi Tarichia (King Kxndi), Amirah Oyesegun and Stephanie Arnold

Did you know that before European colonization, Epekwitk/PEI was 98% forested? For the final episode in season three, we go back to the last Ice Age, tracking the history of PEI’s forests before, during, and after colonization up until today. We travel through the eyes of the forest, stopping to learn about the early French settlers, the English shipbuilding regime, and what a PEI forest feels like today when you’re walking through it. Finally, we look at how important forests are to the Island, and what’s being done to protect them. Features guest interviews: Kate MacQuarrie, Alena MacLean, Caitlyn Paxson, Daniel McRae and CJ Cleal.

Anne of Green Gables isn’t exactly hidden history here on the Island, we know. It’s a timeless tale loved by many, and millions have visited ‘Anne’s Island’ over the years. But what about the real Green Gables? The story behind one of Canada’s most visited National Parks is a surprising one. It involves the unwilling expropriation of land from local residents, Maud Montgomery’s mixed feelings about the park, and a two-week eviction notice to the original owners of the Green Gables home. Features guest interviews: Dr. Alan MacEachern and Carolyn Strom Collins.

Fiona is joined by Evelyn Bradley as co-host in this episode all about 2SLGBTQIA+ history on the Island. We discuss how and where members of the queer community gathered in the 1970s to the 1990s (think: emails and word of mouth invitations before the internet came into play), and what our history might look like if it wasn’t heteronormative. Features guest interviews: Dave Stewart and Treena Smith. Peers Alliance youth programming: https://www.peersalliance.ca

In episode four, Tamara Steele, Executive Director with the Black Cultural Society of PEI, is hosting a panel with Aaron Sardinha and Debbie Langston. Listen to them chat about Black history on the Island, as well as an education initiative Aaron and Debbie are spearheading: The Black Women’s History Project. https://bcspei.ca Features: Tamara Steele, Aaron Sardinha, and Debbie Langston.

In part two of PEI’s wild and wacky 1970s, we learn about The Kitten Club. It opened in 1970, and it was something like a Playboy Bunny Club that operated in Brudenell. Yes, you read right. We also discuss the Ark – an experimental bio-shelter built at Spry Point and designed to be a world-leader in renewable energy. Finally, we celebrate the founding of the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation. Features guest interviews Dr. Ed MacDonald, Catherine Hennessey and Dr. Alan MacEachern.

The 1970s are known for being a groovy decade, but on PEI they brought massive changes. In Part 1, we learn about how the Comprehensive Development Plan is the reason why we have fewer family farms, zero one-room schoolhouses, and an economy more focused on tourism today. We also discuss Junction ’71 – the rock festival that never happened because the PEI government shut it down. Features guest interviews Dr. Ed MacDonald and Doug MacArthur.

Did you miss us? We're back again for season three! Check out this trailer and join us on September 13, 2022 for the entire season.

Meet Canada's most prolific woman murderer: Mary "Minnie" McGee. Minnie McGee was born on PEI in 1875, and she lived a quiet life until 1912 when 6 of her children suddenly died of poisoning. Please note this episode contains explicit descriptions of infanticide, so it may not be suitable for all listeners. Features guest interview Dr. Sharon Myers.

Who doesn't love a great drinking story? For the final episode we go back to the late 1800s when prohibition was first introduced on PEI. Although prohibition lasted for 70 years on the island, you could still get your booze… if you knew where to go. From rumrunners to moonshine makers to speakeasy bars, we discover just how inventive islanders were in skirting the law for a good drink. Features guest interviews: Dr. Heidi MacDonald, Reginald "Dutch" Thompson, J. Clint Morrison and Ken Mill.

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 (archaeology@gov.pe.ca) 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.