Bravery and sacrifice define our new nation as war erupts across Europe. Canada, as a British Dominion, joins in the fight – a young country seeking to find its place on the world stage. It's not long before nearly half a million Canadians, including thousands of Indigenous soldiers, travel to Europe to serve beside their allies in the First World War.
Over 10 hours, the drama-documentary tells the extraordinary tale of some of the people, places and events that shaped Canada — stories of change makers and rule breakers, dreamers and visionaries, scientists and entrepreneurs who forged a nation in a vast and harsh land.
Francis Pegahmagabow, an Ojibwa soldier with exceptional scouting and marksman skills, becomes a key player on the Canadian front lines; first as a messenger, then as a sniper. Pegahmagabow becomes the deadliest sniper on either side of the war, racking up 378 kills.
Pegahmagabow puts himself in the German line of fire time and time again, saving many Canadian lives and fighting at the Second Battle of Ypres. After the war, he receives three medals for his contribution. Pegahmagabow would would go on to fight for Indigenous rights in Canada, becoming the Supreme Chief of the Native Independent Government, a precursor to the Assembly of First Nations.
Former insurance salesman-turned-general Arthur Currie bucks traditional military wisdom with an innovative attack on the German-held Vimy Ridge. Brave, bold soldiers like Captain Thain MacDowell lead the Canadian force up the ridge, overwhelming the German forces.
Vimy becomes Canada's defining moment of the Great War: Canadians take the high ground from the Germans, becoming the first colonial army to defeat a European power on European soil.
With conscription sending nearly every able-bodied man of fighting age to the front, Canada's farms – which are responsible for not only feeding the nation, but also tens of thousands of Allied soldiers – face a serious labour shortage. The Soldiers of the Soil program aims to fill that gap by sending teenage boys from Canada's cities and towns into the countryside to work as farmhands.
One of the 22,000 volunteers is 14 year-old Gerry Andrews of Winnipeg, who braves southern Manitoba's dangerous tornadoes in order to do his part for the war effort.
Over 10 hours, the drama-documentary tells the extraordinary tale of some of the people, places and events that shaped Canada — stories of change makers and rule breakers, dreamers and visionaries, scientists and entrepreneurs who forged a nation in a vast and harsh land.
Canada the Story of Us ep. 6 - Service and Sacrifice (1916 - 1929)
Francis Pegahmagabow, an Ojibwa soldier with exceptional scouting and marksman skills, becomes a key player on the Canadian front lines; first as a messenger, then as a sniper. Pegahmagabow becomes the deadliest sniper on either side of the war, racking up 378 kills.
Pegahmagabow puts himself in the German line of fire time and time again, saving many Canadian lives and fighting at the Second Battle of Ypres. After the war, he receives three medals for his contribution. Pegahmagabow would would go on to fight for Indigenous rights in Canada, becoming the Supreme Chief of the Native Independent Government, a precursor to the Assembly of First Nations.
Canadians use their ingenuity to take Vimy Ridge (1917)
Former insurance salesman-turned-general Arthur Currie bucks traditional military wisdom with an innovative attack on the German-held Vimy Ridge. Brave, bold soldiers like Captain Thain MacDowell lead the Canadian force up the ridge, overwhelming the German forces.
Vimy becomes Canada's defining moment of the Great War: Canadians take the high ground from the Germans, becoming the first colonial army to defeat a European power on European soil.
Teenage "Soldiers of the Soil" help feed the war effort (1918)
With conscription sending nearly every able-bodied man of fighting age to the front, Canada's farms – which are responsible for not only feeding the nation, but also tens of thousands of Allied soldiers – face a serious labour shortage. The Soldiers of the Soil program aims to fill that gap by sending teenage boys from Canada's cities and towns into the countryside to work as farmhands.
One of the 22,000 volunteers is 14 year-old Gerry Andrews of Winnipeg, who braves southern Manitoba's dangerous tornadoes in order to do his part for the war effort.
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