Speaking to Edmonton’s Canadian Club this week

On Wednesday I will speak to the local chapter of the Canadian Club, at the beautiful Chateau Lacombe hotel, following in the footsteps of many luminaries and dignitaries!  I will trace a “Century of Flying in the Canadian North” through a narrative that explores the hope and heartbreak of aviation North of 60. Looking forward toContinue reading “Speaking to Edmonton’s Canadian Club this week”

Glowing Review of Polar Winds in Arctic!

Was so pleased to read a review of my latest book, Polar Winds, in Arctic, the Journal of the Arctic Institute of North America, by esteemed colleague Shirlee Smith Matheson: “As a reviewer and avid reader and writer of aviation history, I take my hat off to Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail for her work in containing this massiveContinue reading “Glowing Review of Polar Winds in Arctic!”

Some news stories about Camsell project

If you’ve never heard of Indian hospitals, you’re not the only one. This is one particular dark issue in Canada’s past that isn’t often spoken about, even though the story comes right into St. Albert’s backyard. The issue is so little-known, in fact, that Edmonton historian Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail had never heard of them until sheContinue reading “Some news stories about Camsell project”

Ghosts of Camsell – Updates & Video Trailer!

The blog series is done for now, but the search for answers will continue for a long time, I’m sure. In the meantime, I have been talking on the radio about the project and my partner on this project, Nicole Beart of Memory Catcher, has completed a video trailer. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FlhNM-JWkQ] Also, on Tuesday, May 19th from 5-8pmContinue reading “Ghosts of Camsell – Updates & Video Trailer!”

Diversity in Aviation: Air Cadet 699 Squadron

I was invited to speak at a fundraising dinner for 699 Squadron last month in Edmonton, and I was so impressed. These air cadets are leading the charge in diversity – ahead of the RCAF and airlines at this point – and are some of the nicest, most engaged citizens I’ve come across. And they areContinue reading “Diversity in Aviation: Air Cadet 699 Squadron”

Wrestling with writing history and fiction

I’ve resisted imaginative leaps just as I resisted making anything up when I was writing my thesis. Except, I remind myself, you’re allowed to make stuff up in fiction. That’s the whole point.   Thanks so much to colleague Gail Anderson-Dargatz for giving me the chance to think a bit about my anxieties as IContinue reading “Wrestling with writing history and fiction”