Decolonizing History 2 | Picbois Productions

Decolonizing History 2

Decolonizing History continues to surprise us with a second season that explores 10 little-known chapters in Quebec history. From the racial segregation of Blacks to the forced displacement of the Naskapi, the French McGill movement and the work of domestic helpers, the series sheds light on landmark events through never-before-seen archives and solid research.

Short-form series

10 X 10 min

Télé-Québec

telequebec.tv

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Original idea & Content production

Karine Dubois

Director

Francis Papillon

Screenwriting

Suzie Bouchard & Odrée Rousseau

Hosts

Aïcha Bastien-N'Diaye, Vanessa Destiné & Youssef Shoufan

Genre

Documentary

Country

Canada

Original Version

French

Format

Ratio

16:9

Duration

10 X 10 min

Sound

Stereo & 5.1

Year

2023

Trailer

S02 E01

Manitou College: Quebec's first native CEGEP

Manitou College has made it possible for a generation of future First Nations leaders to get the education they deserve. Until then, young natives had little access to CEGEPs across Quebec. Why did it close after only three years?

S02 E02

The French McGill movement

McGill University represents the domination of English-speaking elites in the 1960s. McGill français wanted to make the institution francophone and accessible. Activists grasp the urgency of protecting French and asserting their rights.

S02 E03

The Fros: the struggle of foreign miners in Rouyn-Noranda

In 1934, Eastern European immigrants hired in the mines of Abitibi-Témiscamingue sparked an historic strike. These workers, known at the time as the Fros, worked for poverty wages and in dangerous conditions.

S02 E04

Sixties Scoop in Quebec

In the 1960s, thousands of indigenous children were torn from their families and forcibly placed for adoption. The full impact of this tragedy in Quebec is only just beginning to be recognized.

S02 E05

The history of domestic helpers in Quebec

From the early days of the colony to the present day, domestic helpers have contributed behind the scenes to the upward mobility of wealthy families. With their long hours, derisory wages and precarious migratory status, they fought for their rights.

S02 E06

Opérations Dignité: when Gaspesians saved their villages

At the turn of the 1970s, the government wanted to close nearly 200 villages in the Gaspé and Bas-Saint-Laurent regions, and 65,000 people might have to leave. A resistance movement emerges: Opérations Dignité.

S02 E07

The forced sedentarization of the Naskapi people

Nomads, the Naskapi moved with the migrating caribou. From 1831 onwards, they were repeatedly forced to relocate by the government. False promises, famines and forced relocations did not get the better of their nation.

S02 E08

The segregation of black people in Quebec

In 1936, American singer Marian Anderson came to sing at the Château Frontenac, but she couldn't sleep there. The reason? Because she was black. This is one of many examples of the segregation of black people in Quebec.

S02 E09

The debate on secularism

In 2007, the issue of reasonable accommodation is the subject of much ink and a “new” debate on secularism. However, the space occupied by religion in the lives of Quebecers has long been called into question.

S02 E10

The 1949 asbestos strike

In 1949, Asbestos and Thetford Mines were the scene of one of Quebec's most important labor movements. Police and strikebreakers were mobilized to discourage miners from fighting for better working conditions.

Awards and festivals

2023

Opening Series – Festival Courts d’un soir

2023

Best Webdoc - Bilbao Seriesland

2023

Official Selection - T.O. Webfest

2023

Finalist - NZ Webfest - Best Directing - International Factual Web Series

2024

Winner - Série ou émission web de l'année - Gala Dynastie

2024

Finalist - Prix Gémeaux - Meilleure production originale destinée aux médias numériques : documentaire

Credits

Original idea & Content production

Karine Dubois

Director

Francis Papillon

Screenwriting

Suzie Bouchard & Odrée Rousseau

Hosts

Aïcha Bastien-N'Diaye, Vanessa Destiné & Youssef Shoufan

Production

Karine Dubois

Executive production

Marie-Pierre Corriveau

Editing

Emilie Baillargeon

Content supervision

Marie-Hélène Beaudry

Research

Jenny Cartwright, Ania Kazi & Marie-Hélène Beaudry

Experts

Philippe Néméh-Nombré, Harold Bérubé, Mélanie Brière (Mikana), Widia Larivière (Mikana), Félix Rose, Camille Robert, Leona Shecanapish, Emanuelle Dufour, Martin Gagnon & Benoit Beaudry-Gourd

Archives research

Marie-Hélène Beaudry

Cinematography

Maurice Vadeboncoeur

Sound editing & mixing

Alexis Demers

Color grading

Elie Veilleux

Graphic design & motion

Amélie Tourangeau (Studio Conifère), Samuel Jacques (Studio Conifère), Francis Papillon & Simon Potvin-Goulet

Production Management

Hélène Villemure & Marie-Hélène Beaudry