History in the Hot Seat: The Teaching and Knowing of Canada’s Past
July 18, 2024
Hannah Belec
The “History in the Hot Seat: The Teaching and Knowing of Canada’s Past” Project is part of the 2024 Knowledge Synthesis Grant Competition, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) in partnership with Canadian Heritage, Genome Canada, and UK Research Innovation’s Arts and Humanities Research Council (UKRI-AHRC). The theme of the 2024 Knowledge Synthesis Grant Competition, “Evolving Narratives of Cultures and Histories,” aims to assess and mobilize the existing knowledge on how factors such as globalization, war, colonization, racism, slavery, climate change, technology, social media, and more have shaped or changed cultural and historical narratives
Following the theme and goals of “Evolving Narratives of Cultures and Histories,” the “History in the Hot Seat” Project, in collaboration with the Centre for Human Rights Research and 101.5 UMFM, has produced a podcast series that explores what it means to learn and teach Canadian history, considering ongoing histories of colonialism and Indigenous dispossession
Episode 1
In the first episode of the “History in the Hot Seat: The Teaching and Knowing of Canada’s Past” Podcast, Dr. Adele Perry, Dr. Jarvis Brownlie, and Dr. Jocelyn Thorpe discuss the project’s objectives, outcomes, and impacts with interviewer Hannah Belec. The group also reflects on historical education and commemoration in Canada before and after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 2015 Report
Episode 2
In the second episode of the “History in the Hot Seat: The Teaching and Knowing of Canada’s Past” Podcast, Métis educator and administrator Kim Dudek and interviewer Hannah Belec discuss Kim’s evolving approach to teaching social studies in Manitoba; the relationship between curriculum mandates and classroom practice; recent updates to and the shortcomings of the curriculum that addresses Canada’s history of Indigenous dispossession; the role and availability of professional development for teachers to decolonize education; the importance of student activism; and the role of administration in advancing decolonization efforts in schools.
Episode 3
In the third episode of the “History in the Hot Seat: The Teaching and Knowing of Canada’s Past” Podcast, host Hannah Belec speaks with Dr. Lindsay Gibson, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Gibson discusses his research on commemoration controversies in Canada, exploring how historical figures and events are remembered in classrooms and the challenges educators face when teaching commemoration controversies that broach sensitive topics like colonialism and racism. The conversation delves into the role of teacher education programs in addressing these issues, how commemoration aligns with Canada’s current history curricula, and the broader debates surrounding statues and public memorials. Listeners will gain insight into the complexities of teaching history in an era of evolving public attitudes and the significance of pedagogical methods, historical thinking, and technology in navigating these controversies.
Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you.
442 Robson Hall
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3T 2N2 Canada
204-474-6453
Quick Links
Subscribe to our mailing list for periodic updates from the Centre for Human Rights Research, including human rights events listings and employment opportunities (Manitoba based and virtual).
Land Acknowledgement
The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Ininew, Anisininew, Dakota and Dene peoples, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.
