"Documents are only partial records of the past. Archives preserve the records those in power choose to keep. Absence in the record is itself evidence." Read the new essay from @historyjacob.bsky.social, Chloë Farr, and Jessica Jack.

The Archive is Not a Toy: The Hidden Problems of a ‘Vintage’ AI

talkie’s poor representation of history is a side effect of a larger problem. The model was conceptually built as an experimental tool to see if language models can accurately predict the future, a…

activehistory.ca

A note for my fellow cisgender white ladies after the murder in Minneapolis. No one is safe from fascists, but you're still safer than almost anyone else. Use your privilege to protect others.

I have a new post on The Champlain Society's Findings/Trouvailles Blog. I'm very grateful for excellent feedback from Paul Beck and the editors.

Hauled nets, set snares, brought rabbits: Women’s harvesting over three generations - Champlain Society

This Findings explores how women sustained fur trade communities through hunting, fishing, and snaring across three generations. Discover archival journals from New Brunswick House and Golden Lake that reveal Indigenous and mixed-heritage women’s vital harvesting skills.

champlainsociety.utppublishing.com

Historians when someone asks for help reading handwriting.

a man is standing in a dark room with his arms outstretched

ALT: a man is standing in a dark room with his arms outstretched

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Today’s post, by Aidan Hughes from @uguelphhist.bsky.social, explores the history of women’s bodybuilding.

Triceps, Traps, and… Tiaras?: Gender Performance and Subversion in Women’s Bodybuilding through Pumping Iron II: The Women (1985)

In 1985, filmmakers George Butler and Charles Gaines produced Pumping Iron II: The Women. It followed women bodybuilders at a bodybuilding show in Las Vegas during 1983, but mainly focused on two v…

activehistory.ca

If I had a child I'd want to name them Judith, but their middle name would have to be AfterJudithButlerNOTMy Grandmother.

John Price’s second post on Canada’s history of involvement with Palestine is out now.

Elizabeth MacCallum and the Global South Confront Partition

Lester Pearson chairs the meeting on Palestine at Committee 1, United Nations Special Session of the General Assembly, May 6, 1947. Credit: UN Photo, UN7520510. John Price This is the second post i…

activehistory.ca

Today’s post, by John Price, is the first of a two part series exploring Zionism and Palestine through the work of Elizabeth MacCallum.

In the Shadow of Genocide: Elizabeth MacCallum Challenges Anti-Jewish Racism and Zionism

Elizabeth MacCallum. Source: Queen’s Alumni Review Vol. 27, November 1952, p. 215, photo by Van’s Studio Ottawa. John Price This is the first post in a two-part series based on a recent…

activehistory.ca

Happy #DogDay to my study buddy.

Any bilingual grad students who would like to make some money in August? I have a 5-page document in need of translation from English to French and my translator is suddenly unavailable.

Stages of moving house: - Surely this is enough boxes. - Why do I love someone with such heavy hobbies? - Where did all the boxes go? - Dumpster diving. - Maybe "Rumors" will get me through this. - Googling "burglars for hire near me" and "radical minimalism."

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...

@yourewrongabout.bsky.social delighted to inform you that a tailless but otherwise very dishy coyote was cruising around the cemetery where I walked this morning. He must have overhead me listening to you and Lulu!

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...

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

I bring a real "capitalism is a death cult" energy to business transactions and people don't seem to like it.

@sarawilmshurst.bsky.social PhD student @uguelphhist.bsky.social talks about her volunteer work with @activehist.bsky.social.

Crafting history for the community: Why Sara volunteers with Active History.

In this interview Sara Wilmshurst, PhD student in the Tri-U History program from the University of Guelph talks about the benefits of her experience voluntee...

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In today’s post Mack Penner @mackpenner.bsky.social explores the evolution of neoliberalism. Read it here: activehistory.ca/blog/2025/05...

I'm in the airport parking lot and two dudes are making friends while their cars charge. Maybe mass electric vehicle adoption will finally end the male loneliness epidemic.

Tell me how you're different from aaaallll the other supposed "boat companies" who have promised to let me do my best sea captain impression on my way to family dinner. I've been hurt before and it's hard to trust.

In today’s post, @jasonnichols1980.bsky.social explores housing challenges in First Nations communities. Following the 2025 re-election of the Liberal Party, he draws on historical context to offer insights and suggestions for reconciliation and future housing strategies.

Lessons from the Past: How Mark Carney and the Liberals Can Tackle Housing Challenges in First Nations with a Renewed Focus on Building Homes and Reconciliation

The Indigenous and Northern Housing plan within Canada’s current National Housing Strategy is a good start, but it does not go nearly far enough to meet the long-standing housing needs of First Nat…

activehistory.ca

Tip from your friendly neighborhood editor: if you can insert "by vampires" after the verb, it's passive voice. "What can be learned from this experience?" = "What can be learned by vampires from this experience?" Protect your writing from vampires and use the active voice!

I have a theory that people who read #Murderbot Diaries think of Murderbot as a femme and people who listened to the audiobooks think of them as masc. Because I was ASTONISHED to see Alexander Skarsgård cast.

My gratitude journal includes the designer at @oxfordacademic.bsky.social who typesets the footnotes in books. I'm sure it's very picky work (hence why most presses use endnotes) but we appreciate the footnotes very much!

Professor (Assistant or Associate) – Canadian & Indigenous History. Deadline: April 25, 2025. #cdnhist #skystorians cha-shc.ca/careers-and-...

Do they not sell Heritage Minute merch anymore?????

Join Sara Wilmshurst as she talks with historians from @acadiensis.bsky.social, @activehist.bsky.social, @histoireengagee.ca, and @nichecanada.bsky.social to discuss their projects’ histories, structures, and future plans related to knowledge mobilization and public history online.

Online History Projects: Change and Sustainability

Sara Wilmshurst After the Future of Knowledge Mobilization and Public History Online workshop in August 2024, I wanted to hear more about each project’s history, structure, and plans for the …

activehistory.ca

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

In today’s post Kristin Burnett and Shannon Stettner explore the YWCA’s role in Residential Schools and Indian Hospital systems in Canada. They also call for blog series proposal submissions.

How Do We Reflect on Our Past Without Knowing It?: YWCA Canada, Residential Schools, and Indian Hospitals

Our findings are not unique to YWCA Canada. We know that similar work in Residential Schools and Indian Hospitals was carried out by service organizations and philanthropic societies across Canada.…

activehistory.ca

I have been working so hard. Unfortunately, it was on the thing that needs to be done in 3-5 years, not the thing that needs to be done tomorrow.