Why so many Americans are calling New Brunswick’s archivist
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This episode of As It Happens explores a range of global stories, from the growing number of Americans contacting Canadian archivists to claim citizenship through ancestral ties, to the escalating war in Ukraine and its strategic implications. The segment on New Brunswick’s archivist reveals a surge in requests—up to 400 per month—after Canada’s 'Lost Canadians' law was passed, creating a massive backlog and prompting innovation in archival processing. Meanwhile, a new study warns that rising sea levels could submerge New Orleans by 2100, urging immediate relocation planning despite political and economic resistance. In fashion, Palestinian-Canadian artist Samar Hijazi shares her experience creating 200 reflective mannequin heads for the Met Gala, emphasizing participation and identity in art. The episode also covers the tragic passing of Yankees radio legend John Sterling, the science behind mayflies’ mysterious aerial dances, and a controversial Ontario court ruling that may classify dog walkers as legal owners during attacks—potentially barring them from suing. These stories reflect broader themes of identity, climate crisis, cultural preservation, and systemic inequity. Key takeaways include: 1) Canada’s new citizenship law is sparking a national archival surge, requiring urgent digital transformation; 2) New Orleans faces existential threats from climate change, demanding bold relocation strategies now; 3) Art can transform passive viewers into active participants, as seen in Hijazi’s reflective mannequins; 4) Scientific curiosity can unravel even the most bizarre natural behaviors, like mayfly dances; 5) Legal definitions can have life-altering consequences, as seen in the dog walker liability case. The episode maintains a balanced, informative tone with moments of awe and urgency, reflecting both human resilience and systemic challenges.
Canada’s 'Lost Canadians' law has triggered a 300-400% increase in archival requests, overwhelming provincial archives and demanding digital solutions.
New Orleans may be uninhabitable by 2100 due to sea-level rise, making immediate relocation planning essential despite political resistance.
Artistic installations like Samar Hijazi’s reflective mannequins transform viewers into participants, deepening engagement with cultural narratives.
Mayflies perform vertical dances not to attract mates, but to avoid triggering other males—revealing a sophisticated, evolutionarily driven signaling system.
Ontario’s dog liability law may now classify temporary dog caretakers as legal owners, potentially blocking their right to sue after attacks.
The Rise of Lost Canadians and Archival Backlogs
“Every now and then we get a curveball like this one. So do we celebrate it well? We're busy. We'll figure out ways to cope, but it is always a pleasure to be able to connect people with information that they're seeking and in a way that has the potential to change their life.”
Ukraine’s Strategic Gains and Russia’s Collapse
“The only way for Ukraine to limit Russian ability to produce missiles and to earn money for their budget was just to strike this. And I think that's pretty understandable right now.”
New Orleans at the Brink: Climate Relocation Urged
“In the long term, what New Orleans faces is inundation from the seas. And so to be clear, uninhabitable at that point and underwater, New Orleans would be gone?”
Art, Identity, and the Met Gala Mirror Heads
Samar Hijazi, a Palestinian-Canadian artist, discusses her creation of 200 reflective mannequin heads for the Met Gala’s 'Costume Art' exhibit. She explains how the mirrors transform viewers into participants, shifting them from observers to co-creators of the narrative. She reflects on the significance of her visibility at such a global stage, especially as a Palestinian artist, and the complex politics of the event’s wealthy sponsors.
Mayflies, Mating, and the Science of the Dance
Samuel Fabian, an Oxford entomologist, reveals that male mayflies perform a vertical dance not to attract mates, but to avoid triggering other males. Using high-speed cameras and experiments with tennis balls, he shows that the behavior prevents confusion with females and reduces unnecessary mating attempts. The study highlights how insect behavior, though seemingly chaotic, is finely tuned by evolutionary pressures.
“In the long term, what New Orleans faces is inundation from the seas. And so to be clear, uninhabitable at that point and underwater, New Orleans would be gone?”
“The only way for Ukraine to limit Russian ability to produce missiles and to earn money for their budget was just to strike this. And I think that's pretty understandable right now.”
“Every now and then we get a curveball like this one. So do we celebrate it well? We're busy. We'll figure out ways to cope, but it is always a pleasure to be able to connect people with information that they're seeking and in a way that has the potential to change their life.”
Hosts
Guests
Joanna Aiton Kerr
person
Samar Hijazi
person
Maria Zolkina
person
Jesse Keenan
person
Mayflies
other
Samuel Fabian
person
New Brunswick Provincial Archives
organization
Shane Katz
person
Met Gala
other
Dan Nouveau
person
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