Exploring the past: Finding connections in little-known Indigenous history

This week, we're exploring some little-known histories of Indigenous people — and how the past informs both the present and future.

In times of social distancing, communities have found ways to celebrate the jingle dress and their culture online. But, as Brenda Child explains, the jingle dress itself was created during the last pandemic, the 1919 Spanish Flu. 

Dr. Peter Henderson Bryce isn't exactly a household name in Canada, but child welfare advocate Cindy Blackstock wants to change that. She explains how he spoke out about the treatment of children at Indian Residential Schools back in 1907.

Little-known history is the name of the game for the CBC podcast The Secret Life of Canada, co-hosted by Falen Johnson. She shares some of her most powerful stories she's worked on, and gives us a sneak preview to a new episode all about sasquatch.

Métis poet Gregory Scofield has been repatriating beadwork and craftwork from First Nations and Métis women, and is now sharing the history he's uncovered over social media. 

This week's playlist: 

Leonard Sumner — The Ceremony

Buffy Sainte-Marie — Now that the Buffalo is Gone