Sylvia Olsen’s most recent book Unravelling Canada: A Knitting Odyssey begins to untangle the messy business of Canadian history through a journey of knitting that takes her to 40 communities across the country. From the history of quintessential Cowichan sweaters made by Coast Salish knitters and Newfoundland Outport Nursing and Industrial Association (NONIA) to modern-day yarn mills in New Brunswick and Alberta, Unravelling Canada, Olsen’s 20th book, is a discovery of an everchanging landscape, covering themes ranging from personal identity and cultural appropriation to “boyfriend” sweaters. Olsen married into the Tsartlip First Nation near Victoria, BC, and developed relationships with Coast Salish knitters through her family’s sweater shop.
Talking UP is an interview show dedicated to writers, journalists and authors working on issues of social justice, equity, and the nonprofit sector. Guests talk about their reporting and research, what drives their work, and what’s important to them. Listeners will have the opportunity to widen their lens, develop their understanding and figure out where we might go from here.