The Sunday Edition — July 1, 2018
On this week's episode with guest host Gillian Findlay:
Children seeking asylum face extortion, rape and murder before they even arrive at the U.S. border
In 2015, Mexican writer Valeria Luiselli began volunteering as an interpreter for young Central American asylum-seekers facing deportation. She speaks with Gillian Findlay about the conditions children are fleeing, their dangerous journey across Mexico, and what happens once they enter the American justice system.
Trees are essential infrastructure in our towns and cities, say urban foresters
People need trees — particularly in our cities. Urban forests clean the air, lower stress levels, reduce energy costs and mitigate flooding. But it's a challenge to nurture trees in the concrete jungle. Gillian talks to three international tree experts: Cecil Konijnendijk, professor of urban forestry at UBC; David Callow, head of Urban Forest and Ecology at the University of Melbourne, and Meaghan Eastwood, senior research scientist for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, which manages an urban forest of more than 34 million trees.
An unusual family finds joy, connection and love in a remote Inuit community
The Elverums have had more than the usual share of life's sadness and surprises, and their adopted community has been there for them every step of the way. Now the non-biological members of the family outnumber the biological. The Elverums' experience is absolutely unique to the north. Jenny Kingsley's award-winning documentary is called Meet the Elverums.
How Canadian literature came to be CanLit
Canadian writing was once thought too boring to bother about. But things have changed with Canadian books winning international awards and becoming bestsellers around the world. According to Nick Mount of the University of Toronto, a big factor behind the boom in Canadian publishing in the latter half of the 20th century was, quite simply, the economy. His book is called Arrival: the Story of CanLit.
Everything you ever wanted to know but were afraid to ask about 'O Canada'
Robert Harris presents a musical biography of our national anthem by delving into its murky and unexpected origins. Here's just one fun fact: composer Calixa Lavallée was originally commissioned to write it by the nationalist Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society.
"I loved that boy, he was just like one of my own."
Alma Potter of Springdale, Newfoundland, cared for Marvin Swirsky when he was a little boy of five. They hadn't seen or spoken to each other for 70 years. Then Alma tracked Marvin down. We listen in on a beautiful reunion.
All-Canadian music this week by: the Oscar Peterson Trio, Sarah Frank of the Bombadils, Lenny Breau, the Canadian Brass, Rufus Wainwright, Calixa Lavallée, Roger Doucet and Catherine MacLellan.