71 - About the Whale Society of Edmonton
Summary
This episode explores the history of Edmonton’s Whale Society, a 1970s grassroots environmental group advocating for cetacean conservation. Hosts Chris Chang and Trevor Chow Fraser interview City Archivist Catherine Ivany and writer Candice Jane Dorsey, whose sister Jacqueline co-founded the organization. They discuss the group’s media strategies, the optimistic activist culture of the era, and how local volunteers influenced national policy debates on whaling.
Topics discussed
Introduction to Let's Find Out Live and guests
Guest backgrounds and the Whale Society's origins
Researching 1970s environmental activism in Alberta
Archival finds: Children's letters and dolphin pictures
The ethos of 70s activism and the Whale Society's mission
Key figures: Dennis Whiteton and Chris Hanslick
Family influences on activism and gender roles
Women in leadership and media strategy
Campaigns for a global whaling moratorium
Civility vs. direct action in environmentalism
Sponsor message: Taproot Event Calendar
The role of newsletters and arts funding in the 70s
Legacy of optimism and Jacqueline Dorsey's writing
Preserving records: Advice for donating to archives
Break for audience questions
Q&A: Restarting the Whale Society and coordination
Q&A: West Edmonton Mall dolphins and lasting impact
Q&A: Archival selection and collecting everyday history
Final whale fact and closing credits
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