Get ready for captivating stories in the second season of Artifactuality!

MEDIA RELEASE

Were you captivated by the remarkable stories presented last year in the Canadian Museum of History’s podcast series? Then you’ll be thrilled to discover the 10 riveting new episodes of season 2 of Artifactuality: Stories From the Museum of the Future!

Starting tomorrow, you can hear the story of Nav Bhatia, a true Toronto Raptors superfan whose enthusiastic devotion to the team earned him induction into the National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Fame and immortalization as a “Superfan” bobblehead doll. A new episode will be added every week until November 13.

Hosted by award-winning writer and TV personality Kim Thúy, the new episodes of Artifactuality feature 10 remarkable stories of personalities from across Canada, including Charlotte Nolin, a Two-Spirit Métis Elder who overcame violence and prejudice to become a leader, uplifting and making space for Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ people; Dale King, Montréal aerobics legend who shook up women’s fitness in the 1980s; figure skater Elizabeth Manley, who won Silver at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games after being criticized and fat-shamed; and master carver Stanley Hunt, who created a moving memorial to the children who never returned from Canada’s residential schools.

You will hear how a forgotten 19th century cemetery was rediscovered in downtown Ottawa, and meet the Museum expert who was called in to help identify the European settlers buried there. You will learn why it’s important to collect objects related to current events, like the pandemic, and hear how Canadians joined an international movement to support women’s rights. You’ll also discover how children’s TV shows with a distinctly Canadian approach were replicated around the world.

The final episode, which will be recorded live during tomorrow’s Game Changers  event, is about one of the greatest Canadian Olympic athletes of all time, Donovan Bailey.

“We are proud to present this second season of Artifactuality and to be able to share stories that explore what objects from the past can tell us about who we are today,” said Bianca Gendreau, Senior Director, Research and Chief Curator at the Canadian Museum of History. “In addition to providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the deeper stories and research that give life to our collections and exhibitions, Artifactuality is more relevant than ever, tackling subjects linked to current events, sometimes even controversial, that have shaped and continue to enrich our shared history.”

You can subscribe and listen to all episodes of Artifactuality for free on major podcast platforms. Season 2 of Artifactuality: Stories From the Museum of the Future, a podcast of the Canadian Museum of History, is produced by Antica Productions.

Visit historymuseum.ca to discover more fascinating stories and remarkable exhibitions from the Museum.

Located on the shores of the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Quebec, the Canadian Museum of History welcomes more than 1.2 million visitors each year. The Museum’s principal role is to enhance Canadians’ knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the events, experiences, people and objects that have shaped Canada’s history and identity, as well as to enhance Canadians’ awareness of world history and culture. Work of the Canadian Museum of History is made possible in part through financial support of the Government of Canada.

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