Show Notes
Discover Library and Archives Canada presents “Porter Talk.” This mini-series explores the lived experiences of Black men who laboured as porters for both the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railways during the twentieth century. Stanley G. Grizzle, a Canadian Pacific Railway porter for twenty years as well as a celebrated activist, civil servant, and citizenship judge, was also an avid historian who went to great lengths to document and preserve Black History in Canada and beyond. His collection is now held at Library and Archives Canada. Join us as we explore who the porters were, where they came from, and how they found themselves on the rails. (Episode 2 trailer)
More from Discover Library and Archives Canada
In September 1945, thousands of Japanese Canadians who had already endured internment and dispossession faced a new threat: forced exile to war-torn Japan. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Eric M. Adams and Jordan Stanger-Ross, authors of Challenging Exile: Japanese Canadians and the Wartime Constitution, moderated by Professor Emerita Audrey Kobayashi.
In this episode, we feature a discussion between Andrew Ross, Director, Research Support at Library and Archives Canada and Donald Murray, author of Howie Morenz: The Greatest Season in the Life of Hockey’s First Legend. Join us as we unravel what made Howie Morenz one of hockey’s most compelling figures, on and off the ice.
In the final episode of Porter Talk, we dive into how union gains paved the way for a brighter future for Black communities in Canada. This fight for basic human rights significantly contributed to a stronger and more progressive Canada for all. (Episode 6) Transcript Narrator Biographies
In the final episode of Porter Talk, we dive into how union gains paved the way for a brighter future for Black communities in Canada. This fight for basic human rights significantly contributed to a stronger and more progressive Canada for all. (Episode 6 trailer) Transcript Narrator Biographies
Join us as we meet some of the strong and devoted women who stood with porters. Without their commitment and persistence, union gains would not have been possible in light of the men’s absence while working on the rails. (Episode 5) Transcript Narrator Biographies