105 episodes

The country you know and the stories you don't. Join hosts Leah-Simone Bowen and Falen Johnson as they reveal the beautiful, terrible and weird histories of this land. New episodes every second Thursday.

Visit us at www.cbc.ca/secretlife for show links, transcripts and more!

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC's Podcast newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives. 

The Secret Life of Canada CBC Discover & Learn

    • History
    • 4.7 • 227 Ratings

The country you know and the stories you don't. Join hosts Leah-Simone Bowen and Falen Johnson as they reveal the beautiful, terrible and weird histories of this land. New episodes every second Thursday.

Visit us at www.cbc.ca/secretlife for show links, transcripts and more!

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC's Podcast newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives. 

    S6: Was the plot to assassinate Lincoln hatched in Canada?

    S6: Was the plot to assassinate Lincoln hatched in Canada?

    Why did John Wilkes Booth, the man who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln, spend so much time in Montreal? We learn about how Canada was both the last stop on the Underground Railroad and the destination for Southern Confederate leaders and supporters to strategize, stash money and come up with plots against Abraham Lincoln. With special guests Dr. Afua Cooper and Julian Sher.

    For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/secretlifeofcanada/transcripts

    • 25 min
    S6: Welcome to Canada’s island of wild horses

    S6: Welcome to Canada’s island of wild horses

    Sable Island is the stuff of legends. A desolate tiny island in the Atlantic Ocean, where no one is permitted to live, except for wild horses. We figure out how they got there, how they’ve lived without humans since the 1700s and why many scientists think it's time to remove the horses out of their unique habitat.

    For more links and more about this episode visit us at: www.cbc.ca/secretlife

    For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/secretlifeofcanada/transcripts

    • 14 min
    S6: Treaty 6

    S6: Treaty 6

    Deception, backdoor dealings, unfulfilled promises and Canada’s largest mass hanging. 
    Treaty 6 is one of the most well documented treaty signings in Canadian history. But what did it take to get there and why does it matter today? In this special episode Falen and Leah chat with guest Kyle Muzyka. They learn about all the mistranslations, misunderstandings and misinterpretations that were involved in the creation of Treaty 6. 

    For more links and more about this episode visit us at cbc.ca/secretlife.

    • 56 min
    Bonus: How to celebrate National Indigenous People’s Day all summer long

    Bonus: How to celebrate National Indigenous People’s Day all summer long

    Today we have a special bonus episode for you from our sibling show Unreserved, a fearless space for Indigenous voices. Host Rosanna Deerchild is ready to Indigenize your summer with a tastemaker’s guide to the best books, movies, podcasts (with Falen!) and more. 

    More episodes of Unreserved are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/JwTpaTTm

    • 52 min
    S6: The Royal Proclamation

    S6: The Royal Proclamation

    It’s been called the Indigenous Magna Carta and the Indigenous Bill of Rights. But what exactly does that mean? In this episode Falen and Leah dive into the history of the Royal Proclamation, a document that is often spoken about when discussing the history of Canada and Indigenous land rights. But what do we really know about it?

    Listen to our Crash Course on Beavers (as mentioned in the episode) here, and listen to our episode on Water here.

    For more links and more about this episode visit us at cbc.ca/secretlife.

    Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok.

    • 29 min
    S6: Crash Course on Private Mary Greyeyes

    S6: Crash Course on Private Mary Greyeyes

    A curious World War II-era photograph shows an unnamed woman in military uniform kneeling next to a man in a headdress who holds a pipe above her. We dig into the true story behind this photograph and the identity of this mystery woman.

    For more links and more about this episode visit us at: www.cbc.ca/secretlife

    Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok.

    • 10 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
227 Ratings

227 Ratings

Boot Scootin' Choogie ,

Forever excellent

Extremely well researched and informative anticolonial stories with hosts that are a joy to listen to. Looking forward to more episodes on treaties and landclaims!

plainstraw ,

Important Work

Non-indigenous, American from Michigan here. This is such important work being presented. I alternate between informed, angry, sad, and hopeful throughout each show. Stellar, stellar work by the hosts and their guests. I value all the CBC Indigenous offerings, wish NPR provided a similar platform. I see my role in this life, on this land, with new eyes from what is shared on this show. Thank you.

Grizzly Bear Mom ,

Excellent Pod!

Californian here. This pod entertains and informs about so many varied aspects of Canadian life and culture - stories I haven’t heard elsewhere. Kudos to the hosts!

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