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Generations

Explore the history of Canada through the personal stories of five diverse families. Their anecdotes and family histories mirror the story of Canada itself — whether that's fur trading, treaty making, the underground railroad, the cooperative movement, building Canada's first mosque, pioneering medicare or modern-day environmentalism. These families helped to build the country and continue to make an impact. View video clips and full descriptions for each episode: The Chan Legacy The McCurdy Birthright The Crowfoot Dynasty 100 Years in Alberta 100 Years in Saskatchewan.

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Episodes

100 Years in Alberta

Generations 100 Years in Alberta

The Hamdon/Shaben family dates to the turn of the last century when two Lebanese peddlers came to Alberta to seek a better life. Ali Hamdon became a fur trader in Fort Chipewyan. Saleem Shaben opened a general store in Endiang. Decades later, their two families became one through a marriage, and a mosque. Today, the great grandchildren of those Muslim pioneers ...
  • 2007
  • 00:44:37
  • 13-14
  • Added on: 06/14/2013
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The McCurdy Birthright

Generations The McCurdy Birthright

In the 1980s, Howard McCurdy was a feisty Member of Parliament from Windsor, the first black NDP MP and the only black person in the House of Commons at the time. He became known for his interest in civil rights, for people of all races and colours. It's a passion he inherited from many McCurdys before him. The McCurdys settled in ...
  • 2007
  • 00:45:17
  • 13-14
  • Added on: 06/14/2013
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The Crowfoot Dynasty

Generations The Crowfoot Dynasty

Strater Crowfoot has been the Chief of the Siksika Reserve for half of the last two decades. Siksika is a Blackfoot Nation in southern Alberta and one of the largest reserves in Canada. The Crowfoots are proud of their heritage and committed to the legacy of leadership handed to them by their great, great grandfather. Through the passing of the buffalo, ...
  • 2007
  • 00:44:37
  • 13-14
  • Added on: 06/14/2013
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100 Years in Saskatchewan

Generations 100 Years in Saskatchewan

Martin and Alma Hjertaas settled in Saskatchewan in 1915. They were involved in the cooperative movement, the socialist CCF party of Tommy Douglas and the founding of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. Through the generations, continuing today, the family has prided itself on public service. Orville Hjertaas, son of the pioneer Martin, became a father of medicare. Blain Hjertaas, a member of ...
  • 2007
  • 00:43:32
  • 13-14
  • Added on: 06/14/2013
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The Chan Legacy

Generations The Chan Legacy

The Chans go back seven generations in Canada and are one of the oldest families on the West Coast. Reverend Chan's granddaughter, Helen Lee, grandson Victor Wong and great grandson Gary Lee recall being barred from theatres, swimming pools and restaurants. Finally, in 1947, Chinese born in Canada were granted citizenship and the right to vote. Today, Todd Wong represents a ...
  • 2007
  • 00:43:47
  • 13-14
  • Added on: 06/14/2013
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