Craig Rourke
@pineconediaries.com
690 followers 400 following 2.8K posts
He / him | 🇨🇦 | Writer & Armchair Historian | I uncover and share Canada’s lost history, hidden heroes, and cultural icons from coast to coast to coast, one story at a time.
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pineconediaries.com
👋 I'm so glad you're here!
Pinecone Diaries is all about 🇨🇦 Canadian Stories & History
Each day I publish:
✅ A newsletter
✅ A #canadaliveshere thread exploring a new Cdn town
✅ Interesting facts about Canada
✅ A fun poll about something Canadian
🍁 Tonnes of other rad CanCon!
Sound good? Click Follow👇
pineconediaries.com
From trails and highways to rivers and oceans, four Canadians crossed vast distances, and each returned transformed in their own unique way:
- Dianne Whalen’s Trans-Canada Trail Crossing
- Jean Béliveau’s Walk Around the World
- Steve Fonyo’s Journey for Lives
- Josephine Madamin’s Walk for Water
Pilgrimages of Hope: How Four Remarkable Journeys Changed Four Remarkable Lives
From trails and highways to rivers and oceans, four Canadians crossed vast distances, and each returned transformed in their own unique way
open.substack.com
pineconediaries.com
I’m a few days behind, but here is last week’s post/podcast episode.

From handcrafted castles to forest hideaways, meet the Canadians who sought truth, purpose, and peace by turning away from modern society.

We explore hermits, naturalist-poets, and a Cree community who escape into the wilderness.
Solitude and Sanctuary: The Untold Stories of Canada’s Wilderness Hermits and Off-Grid Pioneers
From handcrafted castles to forest hideaways, meet the Canadians who sought truth, purpose, and peace by turning away from modern society
open.substack.com
pineconediaries.com
#Cdnhistory #Canada
pineconediaries.com
Vimy Ridge (1917) — Canada’s Corps seized Vimy Ridge in April 1917, the first time all four divisions fought together. Their victory became a defining moment of national unity and sacrifice — often seen as Canada coming of age on the world stage.
pineconediaries.com
The Persons Case — In 1929, five Alberta women (“The Famous Five”) won a Supreme Court victory declaring women “persons” under Canadian law. A milestone for women’s rights that paved the way for female appointment to the Senate and gender equality legislation.
pineconediaries.com
🇨🇦✨ The unofficial Heritage Minute Bracket: 64 stories go head‑to‑head. You decide which deserves a 1-min PSA. <<>> More Info in🧵

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/pjYSCP/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Persons Case
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/pjYSCP/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vimy Ridge

📊 Show results
pineconediaries.com
Creation of Nunavut (1999) — On April 1, 1999, Canada carved out Nunavut as its newest territory following the largest Indigenous land‑claims settlement in history, empowering Inuit self‑government and recognizing their cultural sovereignty.
pineconediaries.com
Vimy Ridge (1917) — Canada’s Corps seized Vimy Ridge in April 1917, the first time all four divisions fought together. Their victory became a defining moment of national unity and sacrifice, often seen as Canada coming of age on the world stage.
pineconediaries.com
🇨🇦✨ Ready to commemorate Canadian history? The unofficial Heritage Minute Bracket: 64 stories (from triumphs to tough truths) go head‑to‑head. You decide which deserves a 1-min PSA. More Info in🧵

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/YkmmrT/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vimy Ridge
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/YkmmrT/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Creation of Nunavut

📊 Show results
pineconediaries.com
Home to diverse wildflowers & wildlife
-International Dark Sky Park-perfect for stargazing
-Historic ties to Indigenous peoples since time immemorial
-Part of the world’s first International Peace Park, with Glacier National Park in Montana
pineconediaries.com
Each day I share a number that describes Canada.
Today's number is: 200
🏞️✨ Did you know that Waterton Lakes National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Canada’s most stunning natural treasures— contains over 200 kilometres of scenic hiking trails!
#canada
pineconediaries.com
The Group of Seven (1920s) — A circle of Canadian landscape painters who broke from European tradition, capturing Canada’s rugged wilderness in bold colour and form. Their work forged a uniquely Canadian artistic identity still celebrated today.
pineconediaries.com
The Persons Case — In 1929, five Alberta women (“The Famous Five”) won a Supreme Court victory declaring women “persons” under Canadian law. A milestone for women’s rights that paved the way for female appointments to the Senate and gender equality legislation.
pineconediaries.com
🇨🇦✨ Ready to commemorate Canadian history? The unofficial Heritage Minute Bracket: 64 stories (from triumphs to tough truths) go head‑to‑head. You decide which deserves a 1-min PSA. More Info in🧵

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/m3xpfr/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Persons Case
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/m3xpfr/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Group of Seven

📊 Show results
pineconediaries.com
🇨🇦✨ Ready to commemorate Canadian history? The unofficial Heritage Minute Bracket: 64 stories (from triumphs to tough truths) go head‑to‑head. You decide which deserves a 1-min PSA. More Info in🧵

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/2HoJU1/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Persons Case
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/2HoJU1/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Group of Seven

📊 Show results
pineconediaries.com
Creation of Nunavut (1999) — On April 1, 1999, Canada carved out Nunavut as its newest territory following the largest Indigenous land‑claims settlement in history — empowering Inuit self‑government and recognizing their cultural sovereignty.
pineconediaries.com
1918 Influenza Pandemic — Canada’s “Spanish Flu” swept the nation in late 1918, killing an estimated 55,000 Canadians in just months, more than WWI combat fatalities — yet its scale remains largely forgotten in public memory.
pineconediaries.com
🇨🇦✨ Ready to commemorate Canadian history? The unofficial Heritage Minute Bracket: 64 stories (from triumphs to tough truths) go head‑to‑head. You decide which deserves a 1-min PSA. More Info in🧵

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/4v0bhO/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1918 Influenza Pandemic
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/4v0bhO/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Creation of Nunavut (1999)

📊 Show results
pineconediaries.com
1972 Summit Series — Canada vs. USSR in an eight‑game hockey showdown that transcended sport amid Cold War tensions. Paul Henderson’s series‑winning goal in Game 8 became a defining moment of national pride and unity.
pineconediaries.com
Vimy Ridge (1917) — Canada’s Corps seized Vimy Ridge in April 1917, the first time all four divisions fought together. Their victory became a defining moment of national unity and sacrifice, often seen as Canada coming of age on the world stage.
pineconediaries.com
🇨🇦✨ Ready to commemorate Canadian history? The unofficial Heritage Minute Bracket: 64 stories (from triumphs to tough truths) go head‑to‑head. You decide which deserves a 1-min PSA. More Info in🧵

1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/CpqetS/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vimy Ridge
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/CpqetS/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Summit Series 1972

📊 Show results