My Top 5 Heritage Minutes
Remember the old Historica Minutes AKA Heritage Minutes? Growing up it seemed they were in every commercial break all day.
This week, I decided to list my top 5 favourites.
If you have never heard of these Minutes, they are short, 60 second videos depicting an aspect of Canadian history. They began airing in 1991 and were designed to encourage Canadians to learn more about history as studies were showing Canadian's knowledge of this topic was pretty low. Some have been controversial, for example, some believed Louis Riel's was too violent to show young people (a key demographic) and many of the Minutes are about the First and Second World Wars.
But, with that said, let's get into my top 5 favourites. They are ordered by release date because I couldn't decide which ones I liked more.
# 5 Lucy Maud Montgomery, 2018
Like many Islanders, I have heard a lot, too much, about Anne of Green Gables! When I first saw the thumbnail and title of this video on YouTube, I almost didn't watch it because I assumed it would be about Anne.
Thankfully, it is actually about the author, L.M. Montgomery and the struggles she faced, particularly depression. If you are interested in that, feel free to check out my blog post on Montgomery.
# 4 Naskumituwin (Treaty), 2016
In this Minute, a Cree women tells the story of George Spence, her great grandfather, who was there when Treaty 9 was signed in Ontario. Unfortunately, he also witnessed many of the Treaty terms be ignored. The Minute ends by saying that they are still fighting for their rights today. There is a lasting impact to how the Indigenous peoples of Canada have been treated and steps are slowly being taken to right these wrongs. This is a perfect example of how situations and circumstances don't just change because it's 2019 or the people who perpetrated the acts have died.
# 3 Nursing Sisters, 2015
This Minute actually brought tears to my eyes the first time I saw it. If you have never seen it then I would highly recommend watching it. I think watching it will show why it's one of my favourites.
# 2 The Paris Crew, 1995
Making this list was difficult. I played with the idea of doing my top 10 but decided it would be too long. I also decided to limit war related Minutes as so many of them cover that aspect of our history.
Which Heritage Minutes are your favourites?
This week, I decided to list my top 5 favourites.
If you have never heard of these Minutes, they are short, 60 second videos depicting an aspect of Canadian history. They began airing in 1991 and were designed to encourage Canadians to learn more about history as studies were showing Canadian's knowledge of this topic was pretty low. Some have been controversial, for example, some believed Louis Riel's was too violent to show young people (a key demographic) and many of the Minutes are about the First and Second World Wars.
But, with that said, let's get into my top 5 favourites. They are ordered by release date because I couldn't decide which ones I liked more.
# 5 Lucy Maud Montgomery, 2018
Thankfully, it is actually about the author, L.M. Montgomery and the struggles she faced, particularly depression. If you are interested in that, feel free to check out my blog post on Montgomery.
# 4 Naskumituwin (Treaty), 2016
In this Minute, a Cree women tells the story of George Spence, her great grandfather, who was there when Treaty 9 was signed in Ontario. Unfortunately, he also witnessed many of the Treaty terms be ignored. The Minute ends by saying that they are still fighting for their rights today. There is a lasting impact to how the Indigenous peoples of Canada have been treated and steps are slowly being taken to right these wrongs. This is a perfect example of how situations and circumstances don't just change because it's 2019 or the people who perpetrated the acts have died.
# 3 Nursing Sisters, 2015
# 2 The Paris Crew, 1995
The Paris Crew who, "when Canada was just a few days old," challenged the British and French rowing teams. Despite all odds being stacked against them, they won. The east coaster in me loves this Minute!
The full story of this team is pretty interesting and I will be doing a post on them soon.
The full story of this team is pretty interesting and I will be doing a post on them soon.
# 1 Angus Macphail, 1992
This is a powerful Minute. Macphail, the first female member of the House of Commons, was elected in 1921. While she championed many causes, this Minute focuses on penal reform. As the lone female Member of Parliament, I can't image what it was like for her to stand up to other members about prisons, of all things.
Making this list was difficult. I played with the idea of doing my top 10 but decided it would be too long. I also decided to limit war related Minutes as so many of them cover that aspect of our history.
Which Heritage Minutes are your favourites?
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