the hidden island

PEI’s Black history, present and future

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.  

emails and dances: 2SLGBTQ+ history in the late 1900s

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

PEI’s 1970s: the decade that changed everything – part 2

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.

PEI’s 1970s: the decade that changed everything – part 1

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.

season 3 sneak peek

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. 

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.