Canada and the American Civil War are more connected than most Canadians realize, and a new exhibition at the Canadian War Museum called Close to Conflict lays out exactly how. Dr. Tim Foran walks through what that connection looked like, from the border crackdown, to kidnapped recruits, to the birth of Canada's own military.

The exhibition doesn't stick to comfortable mythology either. It traces how freedom seekers who escaped enslavement in the United States found legal freedom in Canada, but not social equality, and how that struggle continued long after slavery was abolished across the British Empire in 1834.

There's also the stranger side of the story: draft dodgers nicknamed skedaddlers, recruiters who resorted to kidnapping, and a border that went from barely enforced to a serious security concern almost overnight. Dr. Foran connects all of it back to why Canada started building a real military in the first place.

Topics: American Civil War, Canadian War Museum, black Canadian history, Canadian militia, Canada-U.S. border

GUEST: Dr. Tim Foran | https://www.warmuseum.ca/exhibitions/canada-and-the-american-civil-war

Originally aired on 2026-08-11

Canada and the American Civil War are more connected than most Canadians realize, and a new exhibition at the Canadian War Museum called Close to Conflict lays out exactly how. Dr. Tim Foran walks through what that connection looked like, from the border crackdown, to kidnapped recruits, to the birth of Canada's own military.
The exhibition doesn't stick to comfortable mythology either. It traces how freedom seekers who escaped enslavement in the United States found legal freedom in Canada, but not social equality, and how that struggle continued long after slavery was abolished across the British Empire in 1834.
There's also the stranger side of the story: draft dodgers nicknamed skedaddlers, recruiters who resorted to kidnapping, and a border that went from barely enforced to a serious security concern almost overnight. Dr. Foran connects all of it back to why Canada started building a real military in the first place.
Topics: American Civil War, Canadian War Museum, black Canadian history, Canadian militia, Canada-U.S. border
GUEST: Dr. Tim Foran |<a href="https://www.warmuseum.ca/exhibitions/canada-and-the-american-civil-war"> https://www.warmuseum.ca/exhibitions/canada-and-the-american-civil-war</a>
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-08-11

Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.

From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.

If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt &amp; The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world&mdash;always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.