ActiveHistory.ca
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activehist.bsky.social
ActiveHistory.ca
@activehist.bsky.social
1.9K followers 790 following 190 posts
What is Active History? ActiveHistory.ca connects the work of historians with the wider public and the importance of the past to current events. #ActiveHist
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activehist.bsky.social
Nir Hagigi explores the use of social media during conflict and in the midst of violence. This post is part of our Media History series, make sure to check out the rest of it!

Read it here: activehistory.ca/blog/2025/10...
Green background with white text stating: “This raises a haunting, timeless question: is bearing witness enough? Or has a flood of images produced chronic compassion fatigue, where horror becomes normalized? Historians can help situate this by reminding us that media exposure has never guaranteed justice.” “Nir Hagigi.” With a white Active History logo in the right hand corner.
October 17, 2025 at 7:48 PM
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Call For Contributors: Join the Active History Project This Fall!

Interested? Click here for more information: activehistory.ca/blog/2025/10...
Green background with corded phone graphic in the bottom left corner. White text says: “Call For Contributors: Join the Active History Project This Fall!” “We are particularly interested in Series Editors, Contributing Editors, Regular Contributors.” “More info @ activehistory.ca” White active history logo in bottom right corner.
October 7, 2025 at 5:09 PM
activehist.bsky.social
Today’s post is in recognition of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

Read more about the shared ressources here: activehistory.ca/blog/2025/09...
Orange background, white text stating: On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which the federal government created to honour “the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities”, members of the Active History editorial collective offer suggestions on scholarship and resources they have found helpful in their own work and learning journeys
September 30, 2025 at 5:39 PM
activehist.bsky.social
In today’s post Andrew Nurse explores the use of media in history and the value of community newspapers.

Read it here: activehistory.ca/blog/2025/09...
Green background with white text stating: “In one way or another, media are history’s life blood, even if we don’t all make use of them in the same way.” “Andrew Nurse.” Active history logo is in the bottom right corner in white.
September 4, 2025 at 1:30 PM
activehist.bsky.social
Read Erin Gallagher-Cohoon’s post on queer histories of family and divorce in Nova Scotia
activehistory.ca/blog/2025/07...
Quote graphic. Green background with rainbow border. White text says: “The judge’s verdict provides limited insight into the complicated social dynamics of a failing marriage at a time when homosexuality was still criminalized and when Canadian divorce law was in a transitional period.” “Erin Gallagher-Cohoon”
August 1, 2025 at 5:00 PM
activehist.bsky.social
We are hiring a part-time site manager! Applications due July 11th.
For more information:
activehistory.ca/blog/2025/05...
Green background with white text on top stating: “We are hiring!” Below is a black and white photo of 10 women working around four desks in a newspaper bullpen. Below the photo is white text stating: “Active History is hiring a part-time site manager. Come work with us!”
July 3, 2025 at 6:25 PM
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Adam Bunch’s @adambunch.bsky.social post is part of our Essays on the Future of Knowledge Mobilization and Public History Online series. Read along as he explores how he practices and promotes public history.

activehistory.ca/blog/2025/07...
Green background, white text quoting: “ My hope is that if I can catch someone’s attention, provide them with some of that broader context, and point them toward the work of historians who’ve explored that context more deeply, that person might be curious enough to want to carry on learning more.” Underneath it says “Adam Bunch” in white text and has a white Active History.ca logo in the bottom right corner.
July 1, 2025 at 7:05 PM
activehist.bsky.social
Mack Penner and Edward Dunsworth continue the conversation on the use of AI in education and history. Their post was written in response to a previous one by Mark Humphries.

Check out this post and the previous ones here: linktr.ee/activehistory
Green background, with a white graphic image of a tab open on a computer with black text quoting: “…the outcome of the essay is far less important than the process of thinking about it, researching it, and writing it. Generative AI, if we’re being realistic about the way it’s used, obliterates that process.”Underneath it says “Mack Penner and Edward Dunsworth” in black text and has a white Active History.ca logo in the bottom right corner.
June 30, 2025 at 6:40 PM
activehist.bsky.social
Previously Kristin Burnett and Shannon Stettner explored the YWCA’s role in Residential Schools and Indian Hospital systems in Canada. They also called for blog series proposal submissions. More information about submissions can be found at the end of the article.

activehistory.ca/blog/2025/04...
Green background with white text stating: “Call For Submissions” followed by a Black and white photo of two teenage girls bent over a table, working with fabric. Underneath it says “expressions of interest due July 1st.”
June 29, 2025 at 10:56 PM
activehist.bsky.social
Final post of the Pride Month showcase! Check out these posts and the entire collection here: linktr.ee/activehistory
Pastel rainbow background. Dark purple border with title “Pride Month” top centre and Active History Logo bottom right. Top right is the text “Is the gay steel mill closed? Reflections on queer histories of deindustrializing Cape Breton” “Liam Devitt”to the left of it is a black and white photo of a steel mill. Bottom left is the text: “We as parliamentarians can feel the gaze of history upon us”: Historical Consciousness and Bill C-38, the Civil Marriage Act (2005)” “Erin Gallagher-Cohoon” to the right of the text is a photo of a newspaper headline stating “Same-sex law”.
June 29, 2025 at 10:32 PM
activehist.bsky.social
Continuing our showcase for Pride Month is the Queering Atlantic Canada Series, edited by Jess Wilton. It is ongoing and will have new posts soon, so make sure to stay updated!

Check out the series and our showcase here: linktr.ee/activehistory
Pastel rainbow background. Dark purple border with title “Pride Month” top centre and Active History Logo bottom right. In the centre is the text “an ongoing series…” followed by a graphic of the Canadian maritimes in a pink triangle with the text: “Queering Atlantic Canada. 2SLGBTQIA Stories, Histories, and Archives from Atlantic Canada.” This is followed by “edited by Jess Wilton”.
June 24, 2025 at 2:52 PM
activehist.bsky.social
New showcase revisiting some of our posts for Pride Month!
Check out our first spotlight and the collection here: linktr.ee/activehistory
Rainbow and colourful background, dark purple text stating: “Celebrating Pride Month. Showcase from Active History.ca. First Spotlight post: “Ten Resources to Learn About Queer and Trans History in Canada.” Krista McCracken. Active History logo is in bottom right corner.
June 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM
activehist.bsky.social
In today’s post James Cullingham reflects on the life and music of Brian Wilson.

Read it here: activehistory.ca/blog/2025/06...
Green background, white text quoting: “His mastery of vocal harmonies and studio production thrilled many listeners and changed the game for musicians of his generation and beyond. His resilience in overcoming personal struggles and his artistic steadfastness have inspired many. I was blessed to meet him even fleetingly. Long may he run.”Underneath it says “James Cullingham” in white text and has a white Active History.ca logo in the bottom right corner, with white music notes around the borders.
June 17, 2025 at 7:32 PM
activehist.bsky.social
Mark Humphries joins the ongoing discussion about AI in classrooms and history, responding to previous posts by Mack Penner and Edward Dunsworth.

Read it here: activehistory.ca/blog/2025/06...
Green background, with a white graphic image of a tab open on a computer with black text quoting: “AI use and deep thinking don’t have to be mutually exclusive. In fact, done right, the former might save some time for the latter.”Underneath it says “Mark Humphries” in black text and has a white Active History.ca logo in the bottom right corner.
June 16, 2025 at 11:17 AM
activehist.bsky.social
In today’s post Edward Dunsworth explores and critiques the use of AI in scholarship, academia, and the classroom.

Read it here: activehistory.ca/blog/2025/06...
Green background, with a white graphic image of a tab open on a computer with black text quoting: “If writing is thinking, it follows that outsourcing writing is outsourcing thinking. And this outsourcing is accelerating at a staggering pace. This should concern us all: as educators, but also as citizens.”Underneath it says “Edward Dunsworth” in black text and has a white Active History.ca logo in the bottom right corner.
June 11, 2025 at 5:28 PM
activehist.bsky.social
Today’s post is a continuation of our Queering Atlantic Canada Series. Jess Wilton explores the life of Erica Rutherford in Prince Edward Island.

Read it here: activehistory.ca/blog/2025/06...
Green background, white text quoting: “In times of increasing violence against trans and genderqueer folks around the world and anti-trans sentiment in the Maritimes specifically, it is even more necessary to explore these historical roots and highlight the histories of our communities.” Underneath it says “Jess Wilton” in white text and has a white Active History.ca logo in the bottom right corner.
June 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
activehist.bsky.social
Final post of the Asian Heritage Month showcase! Check out these posts and the entire collection here: linktr.ee/activehistory
Blue background with light blue frame and title stating: Asian Heritage Month at top centre. Below and to the left is a newspaper clipping with the title: “Canada 75” followed by a black and white photo of 13 Japanese men in winter gear standing in front of trees, tents, and snow. To the right of the image is the text: “Remember / Resist / Redraw #10: Remembering the 75th Anniversary of Japanese Canadian Internment. Chris Robertson and Lorene Oikawa.” To the bottom right is an image of a C.I.30 certificate of Dere Mee Gim. Depicts the Dominion of Canada title, followed by cursive script on the left side, with a black and white photo of a young child on the right side. To the left of this image is the text: “The right to remember the past: Opening Chinese immigration records in Canada’s national archives. June Chow.” The active history logo is in light blue at the bottom right.
June 1, 2025 at 2:09 PM
activehist.bsky.social
We are hiring a part-time site manager! For more information: activehistory.ca/blog/2025/05...
Green background with white text on top stating: “We are hiring!” Below is a black and white photo of 10 women working around four desks in a newspaper bullpen. Below the photo is white text stating: “Active History is hiring a part-time site manager. Come work with us!”
May 30, 2025 at 2:52 PM
activehist.bsky.social
Read Daniel Ross’ post on Toronto’s Chinatown and David Webster’s post on Timor-Leste and the power of protest here: linktr.ee/activehistory

Make sure to check out the whole Asian Heritage Month Collection!
Blue background with light blue frame and title stating: Asian Heritage Month at top centre. Below is a black and white drawing of Toronto’s Chinatown and Dragon Mall. Beside is the text: “Saving Chinatown, 1971-2021. Daniel Ross.” Below the black and white drawing is the photo information: “Toronto Star, August 28, 1971 (courtesy of Jamie Bradburn).” In the lower half of the page there is a black and white photo of four women sitting in a circle reading from papers. The text beside says: “Snapshots of Canada-Timor Solidarity. David Webster.” The photo information says: “Solidarity groups meeting, Geneva, 1989. Members from the Commission for the Rights of the Maubere People, Portugal; Free East Timor! Campaign, Japan, and Australian solidarity groups. ETAN/Canada collection, Timor International Solidarity Archive.”
May 27, 2025 at 4:44 PM
activehist.bsky.social
Join Active History for a quick snack break between our CHA Roundtable and the CCWGH reception. Meet us at The Jason George (100 Front St E) at 5:15pm on Monday, June 2 for complimentary refreshments! Past and future AH authors especially welcome.
Please RSVP: tinyurl.com/j438h88x
Light green background with a solid dark green arch. In arch way, light green text stating: “You’re invited” followed by the active history logo. Then “June 2nd @ 5:15pm. The Jason George (100 Front St E). Join us for complimentary refreshments between the CHA Roundtable and the CCWGH Reception. Past and future AH authors especially welcome! Please RSVP” There are graphics of coffee, tea, fries, and nachos on the borders.
May 26, 2025 at 2:28 PM
activehist.bsky.social
In today’s post Mack Penner @mackpenner.bsky.social explores the evolution of neoliberalism.

Read it here: activehistory.ca/blog/2025/05...
Green background, white text quoting: “The absence of a compelling counter-movement, the development of neoliberalism has hollowed out democratic practices and institutions in such a way as to further impede the path to something else and something better, while simultaneously paving the way for neoliberalism to mutate and move in more radical directions.” Underneath it says “Mack Penner” in white text and has a white Active History.ca logo in the bottom right corner.
May 15, 2025 at 12:35 PM
activehist.bsky.social
New showcase revisiting some of our posts for Asian Heritage Month!
Check out our first spotlight and the collection here: linktr.ee/activehistory
Blue background, white text stating: Commemorating Asian History Month. Showcase from Active History.ca. First Spotlight post: “In Racial Solidarity: Historicizing Anti-Asian Racism, Violence, and White Supremacy in Canada.” Melanie Ng. Active History logo is in bottom right corner.
May 14, 2025 at 1:48 PM
activehist.bsky.social
Fionnuala Braun’s post explores the purpose and importance of blogging history in today’s social media landscape.

Read Braun’s post here: activehistory.ca/blog/2025/04...
Green background with white border and Active History logo in right bottom corner. White text quote saying: “Historical engagement allows us to engage with media critically, even empathetically. Where the public sees a lack of education and a descent into right-wing conspiracy, we see legacies of pent-up anger at being unheard, polarizations in discourse that have been happening since before the pandemic.” Followed by: “Fionnuala Braun.”
April 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
activehist.bsky.social
Register to join our panelists and moderators for a critical discussion on the political use of history! westernuniversity.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

With @histoireengagee.ca and @cndhistassoc.bsky.social
April 14, 2025 at 1:21 PM
activehist.bsky.social
@oncewilting.bsky.social sits down with Sarah Worthman, executive director of the NL Queer Research Initiative, to discuss her work on queer history in Newfoundland.

Read the article here: activehistory.ca/blog/2025/04...
April 8, 2025 at 6:03 PM