the hidden island

murder, mystery and mental health

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.

rumrunning: an island tradition

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.

storms, shipwrecks and secrets

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.

hidden in the earth: prehistoric PEI

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.

there and back again - part 2

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/
 

there and back again - part 1

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.

season 2 sneak peek

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

where are the women?

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.