We call them Heritage Fairs and in francophone Canada they are called Fêtes du patrimoine – best translated as heritage parties. Many of our students choose subjects that celebrate Canada in all its diversity and quirkiness. At the last Provincial there were projects on Muggins: the Red Cross dog and natural horsemanship, yet alongside these […]
History in the News
Canada’s History and Beavers Galore
The weather has been way too hot for the usual dose of summer reading. So take these next two posts as summer-but-maybe-fall suggestions. The first read is the new issue of Canada’s History formerly The Beaver. You can read here Christopher Moore’s description of the many worthwhile articles especially his commentary on David O’Keefe’s vigorous […]
The History Blog for May is Active History
Active History is a rich source to learn about the work of historians and connections between the past and current events.
Vimy Live and Virtual
Two more accounts on the topic of Vimy: the first is from Heritage Fairs Alumnus Julie who describes her visit to the battle site and the second is an article on the new Vimy app created by students at a high school in Smith Falls, Ontario.
Give History a Voice in the 2017 Election
The BC Historical Federation has launched a lobbying campaign to make the history of this province an election issue.
History Blog for April: Christopher Moore’s History News
The History Blog for the Month of April is Christopher Moore’s History News: History (mostly Canadian), a little politics (ditto), and the Tour de France in July.
Still More Resources to Teach the Battle of Vimy Ridge
Historica Canada has a new teaching resource entitled “Think like a Historian: the Battle of Vimy Ridge” in English and “Pensez comme un histoirian” in French. Designed for middle and high school students, they should be a useful support for teachers to explore the curricular concept of evidence with its videos and lesson plans for studying photographs, letters, and newspaper articles of the time. They do not, however, support teaching the controversy around the interpretation and mythologizing of Vimy.
The Many Stories of Vimy Ridge
The 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, 9-12 April, has yielded a rich collection of stories and controversy that can both engage students and give them opportunities to “do history” as they tackle the competing narratives.
Imagining Futures
The Heritage Fairs program will play an important part in Heritage BC’s annual conference in Victoria, May 4-6. The conference title asks participants to imagine futures. So it is fitting that it should feature the BCHFS that has amongst its core principles encouraging “young people to see history around them” and “forging connections between youth […]
BC Book Prize Nominees Announced
It is Spring Break and time to read one of the great non-fiction books on the BC Book Prizes shortlist (see it here). The seven prizes are presented annually at the Lieutenant Governor’s BC Book Prizes Gala in the spring, as well as a presentation to the winner of The Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary […]
Conference Registration for the BC Historical Federation is Open
From May 25 to 28 the annual conference of the BC Historical Federation, Chilliwack: Land, Water, People, takes place in the Fraser Valley city.
Celebrated educator Gwen Point, chancellor of the University of the Fraser Valley, gives the keynote. Workshops include former Heritage Fairs coordinator, Jane Watt.
Lieutenant Governor of BC, The Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC