Jean Wilson (speed skating) and Barbara Ann Scott (figure skating) didn’t just win medals — they shifted culture.At the 1932 Winter Olympics, Jean Wilson helped prove Canadian women could compete internationally, even before women’s sport was fully recognized. Sixteen years later, Barbara Ann Scott’s Olympic gold in 1948 gave a post-war country something it deeply needed: joy.

From Mount Hope Cemetery in Toronto to Lake Placid (1932), St. Moritz (1948) and beyond, this episode explores how women’s athletic excellence moved from novelty to national pride.

Time Stamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:52 *Jean Wilson*

1:16 Biography

1:43 1932 Olympic Games in Lake Placid

2:40 Death and legacy

3:50 On-location at Jean Wilson's grave at Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery, Toronto

5:10 *Transition* WWII

5:40 *Barbara Ann Scott*

6:02 Biography

6:45 1948 Winter Olympics at St, Moritz, Switzerland

7:55 Turning Professional, Legacy and Death

8:40 *Interview* with Eleanor Scott who recalls the social impact of Barbara Ann Scott in 1947

12:52 "Barbara Ann Scott came along at the right time"

13:13 *Conclusion* One expanded what was possible and one carried it forward

Keywords: Jean Wilson, 1932 Winter Olympics, Lake Placid, Barbara Ann Scott, 1948 Winter Olympics, St. Moritz, Canadian Olympic history, Women in Canadian sport, Mount Hope Cemetery Toronto, Canadian speed skating history, Canadian figure skating history, Women in sport history, Rawdon Quebec history, Dead Canadians podcast, Stephanie Allen, Canadian cemetery history, Women and the Olympics, Canadian athletes, Canadian sports history

Exploring the Islington Burial Ground: A Journey Through Toronto's Forgotten HistoryThis episode delves into the history of the Islington Burial Ground in Etobicoke, Toronto. Established in the 1830s, this small cemetery is often overlooked amidst the busy city life. The episode covers its origins, the Mississaugas of the Credit’s connection to the land, and its evolution through the centuries. Notable figures such as John Graves Simcoe, Thomas Montgomery, and Reverend Dr. Stewart East are highlighted, showcasing their contributions to the community. The cemetery's preservation efforts and its significance in Toronto's cultural heritage are also discussed, reminding viewers that history is closer than they think.

00:00 Introduction to Islington Burial Ground (Pioneer Cemetery)

01:17 Historical Background of the Land

03:08 Development of Islington Village

03:59 The Mystery of Early Burials

04:28 Cemetery Management and Preservation Efforts

07:30 Notable Figures and Families

10:11 Modern Recognition and Heritage Conservation

10:48 Conclusion: Reflecting on the Past

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It’s a melody that sounds peaceful and gentle, but it was born in a world of upheaval, epidemics, and war. In this episode of Dead Canadians: Carved in Stone, Stephanie Allen uncovers the history and the mystery of the Huron Carol. We trace the life of Jean de Brébeuf—a French Jesuit who arrived in the 1620s with a sincere admiration for the Wendat people, but a mission that would ultimately contribute to the collapse of their world.

From the frozen forests of Wendake to the ritualized torture and scattering of Brébeuf’s bones across continents, we explore how a 17th-century theological "bridge" became a modern Christmas staple.

History doesn’t offer tidy saints; it offers people. This is the story of one of Canada’s most complicated legacies.

Timeline & Highlights:

0:00 – The song that feels like it comes from another world.

3:41 – Meet Jean de Brébeuf: The scholar-missionary from Normandy.

4:25 – 1626: Arriving in the Wendat Confederacy.

05:25 – The Dark Turn: Disease, epidemics, and fracturing communities.

6:58 – The Death of a Saint: Captured and the ritual of 1649.

07:45 – The Relics: Why Brébeuf’s bones are scattered across the globe.

8:39 – The creation of the Carol: Translation as a "path to salvation."

10:00 – The "Middleton" Myth: Why the English lyrics are a 20th century invention.

11:00 – Saint or Symbol? Navigating the colonial legacy today.

Connect with us: Subscribe for more deep dives into the people who shaped Canada’s history.

Visit us at DeadCanadians.ca

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