This episode is the second in a three-episode series of “Chronicles of A Spy in Acadia,” a student-produced podcast researched, written, recorded and edited by the students of Brock University’s History 4P11 class.
The podcast series centers on Atlantic colonial Canada in the 18th century by looking at the events through the eyes of a real-life historical spy: Thomas Pichon.
This episode focuses on the ordinary people of Acadia, the Acadians and the Indigenous Mi’kmaq, and how their lives were shaped and changed by those in positions of power, like the French agent Abbé Le Loutre. Aspects of life, religion, Indigenous relations, and acts of destruction are examined through the words of the titular spy, Thomas Pichon. It also explores Pichon’s opinions and beliefs about the subjects of discussion, allowing us to understand the interviewee as well as the topics of the episode.
Filled with quotations from Pichon’s genuine letters and memoirs published after his death, listeners get a chance to not only see the true thoughts and motivations of Pichon as he betrayed France and the Acadians, but also to better understand the events that made Canada into the country it is today.
Links
Beaubassin: On the Edge of Empires
@CBCNovaScotia Centuries-old cannonballs detonated in Gagetown, N.B. (Tweet) Nov. 19, 2021.
Brock University Department of History
Student podcast gives voice to Acadian spy, Brock News, Jan. 27, 2022.
Sources
Crowley, T.A. “Biography: PICHON, THOMAS, Thomas Tyrell,” Dictionary of Canadian Biography, University of Toronto, 1979.
Webster, John Clarence. Thomas Pichon “The Spy of Beausejour,” An Account of His Career in Europe and America with Many Original Documents. Translated by Alice Webster. Shediac, NB: 1937.
Credits
Interviewer 1- Yannick
Interviewer 2- Micayla
Narrator- Erin
Ghost of Thomas Pichon- Dexter
Allyship in Community Research Part 2
Allyship in Community Research Part 1
S5E07 Exploring Brain Injury Through Theatre with Mike Griffin
S5E06 The Royal Coronation with Gavin Watson
S5E05 Life After Grad School: An Alumnae Discussion Panel
S5E04 Preserving History at the Brown Homestead with John R. Heckman and Jess Linzel
S5E03 Finding a Career in Music with Nick Cooper
S5E02 Sport History with Dr. Taylor McKee
S5E01 A Creative Exploration of Mortality with Dr. Linda Carreiro
S4E10 Bonus: A Walk Through Mackenzie Chown with Lesley Bell
S4E09 Getting Lost in Mackenzie Chown Complex with Lesley Bell
S4E08 Research Creation with Julie Gemuend
S4E07 Luxury with Dr. Jessica Clark and Dr. Nigel Lezama
S4E06 Following Eliza Fenwick from London to Barbados to Niagara-on-the-Lake with Dr. Lissa Paul
S4E05 Archives & Special Collections with David Sharron
S4E04 Short Stories and Canadian Masculinity with Dr. Neta Gordon
S4E03 Childhood in Ancient Rome with Dr. Fanny Dolansky
S4E02 War Crimes, Genocides, and Conspiracies with Dr. Gregor Kranjc
S4E01 Monsters are People, Too with Dr. Sarah Stang
Series 4 Trailer
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Voices of Misery Podcast
House of Whimsical Terror
Just Dumb Enough Podcast
Stuff You Should Know
Timcast IRL