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To highlight the work Creation Grantees are doing in their communities, the Creation Community Grants Team sends out Q&A forms so they can share their experiences creating and carrying out their projects. Today we are featuring responses from Aubrianna from Under the Mat: A Dark History Podcast.
Community: Sherwood Park, Alberta
Grant Type: Entrepreneurship & Social Enterprise Funding Stream
Q: Tell us about your group and project!
A: My name is Aubrianna Snow (she/her), and I am the creator and host of Under the Mat: A Dark History Podcast. This biweekly show, with episodes ranging from 15 minutes to an hour, explores dark history through a feminist and anti-violence lens. Often focusing on abuses of power, the podcast is committed to ethical storytelling — centring people rather than sensationalism. In a genre that can often be extractive, Under the Mat seeks to fill a gap by offering thoughtful, person-centred commentary on complex historical topics.
This summer and fall, the podcast will feature a special guest series highlighting conversations with academics, community experts, and Elders. These episodes will focus on topics such as Indigenous history in Canada, 2SLGBTQ+ rights, and the long shadow of racial discrimination. Drawing from primary sources, declassified documents, and lived experience, the show is committed to sharing not just what happened, but why it happened, and how its impacts are still felt today.
Support from Indigenous Youth Roots and H&M through the Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise stream has been critical to the growth of this work. With this grant, I’ve been able to purchase a professional microphone, commission custom theme music and cover art (launched in June), and provide honorariums and protocol for guests. I will also be using these funds to promote the podcast and expand its reach.
This funding has already made a meaningful difference, and I’m deeply excited to continue growing this project and community.
Q: As the youth running the project, what impact do you hope it will have?
A: I hope Under the Mat: A Dark History Podcast will create a safe and thoughtful space for people, especially those from marginalized communities and those with lived experience of trauma, to engage with dark history and true crime in a healing and respectful way. Too often, these genres sensationalize pain without recognizing the humanity of those involved. My podcast aims to do the opposite: to centre the voices and stories of those who have been silenced, forgotten, or misrepresented.
By expanding Under the Mat to include a dedicated website and social media platforms, I want to build a community space where listeners can connect with each other, reflect on the histories explored, and share their own perspectives. I believe that having open, respectful conversations about the past can be a powerful tool for healing, solidarity, and growth.
Culturally, this project is rooted in the belief that storytelling is sacred. Every episode honours the lives behind the history, recognizing that the past is something that still lives with us. I hope this podcast encourages listeners to see dark history not as something to gawk at, but as something to learn from, with empathy and care. Ultimately, I want Under the Mat to help shift the conversation around history and true crime toward one grounded in justice, respect, and truth.
“I really like the effort you put into explaining the human side of things”
Q: What is something you have learned?
A: Throughout this project so far, I’ve had two key takeaways. The first is how deeply bias shapes the way history is recorded and retold. Much of what we consider historical fact has been written from a colonial, Western perspective and that bias is often reflected in secondary sources. It can be challenging to separate fact from interpretation. For example, in my episode on the Beothuk people of Newfoundland and Shawnadithit, the last known surviving Beothuk person, many sources describe her as having “worked as a servant;” when in reality, she was kidnapped and forcibly held. Comparing these narratives to what I’ve learned through community discussions has been eye-opening and often jarring.
The second takeaway is how much time, energy, and care goes into producing a podcast. Because the final product is often a short audio clip, it can seem simple. Behind the scenes, though, it involves hours of strategic planning, research, editing, guest outreach, and building a presence on social media. It’s work that demands consistency and heart. While it’s a lot to manage, it’s also something I’m incredibly passionate about. I believe in the power of ethical storytelling, and I hope that someday this can grow into a full-time role where I can continue to share stories that matter with the depth, respect, and community connection they deserve.
“Your concept is interesting and very needed”
Q: What is one piece of advice you would share with other youth who want to run a project?
A: If I could offer one piece of advice to other youth looking to start a project, it would be this: stick with it and remember why you started. There will be moments when the work feels overwhelming. You might wonder if you have the time, the capacity, or if you're even the right person to lead it. But the truth is that if you don't bring your vision to life, it may never happen. Your voice, perspective, and passion are so needed.
It's easy to underestimate your ability to make change, especially when you're just starting. But if something matters to you, that's always a place to begin. Even if it feels daunting, taking that first step is a way of showing the world (and yourself) what's possible.
Our youth are thoughtful, ambitious, and full of insight. We bring lived experience, creativity, and fresh approaches to the table. These qualities are often overlooked or undervalued; but our ideas matter, and we deserve the space to put them into practice. So, take the risk. Stay connected to your purpose. Trust that your work can, and will, make a difference.
“This podcast is so interesting, and I listen to every new episode”
