Our Stories has been captivating audiences and critics alike since the first episode aired in 1994. The people profiled tell entertaining and enlightening stories which are a testament to the diversity of Canada's pioneering cultures and proof of our common history. Each story has something unique and colourful to add to the tapestry that is Canada.

Our Stories has been recognized for its historical and cultural significance by The Canadian Education Association, the Canadian Library Association, and by school boards and police board multicultural training units across the country. When the first three episodes aired on CBC Newsworld in 1993, viewers were overwhelmingly supportive - so much so that many even offered out-of-pocket funds to help complete the remaining ten episodes.

In 1991, at the Earth Spirit Festival at Harbourfront in Toronto, Jane Glassco screened Johnny Johns, the first in her series, to rave reviews. Jane was one of the few non-Native or Japanese Canadians to be invited to present a film at the festival.

But enough from us, here's what the critics had to say:

"Our Stories, an exceptional new summer documentary series that examines Canada's history and cultural development in this century via the reminiscences of an extraordinary range of fascinating individuals with roots stretching back 100 years and more."
-- TV Critic Greg Quill, The Toronto Star, June 21, 1994

"You don't expect a lot from an independently produced summer series snuck on to a quiet corner of the CBC schedule. Limited expectations are confounded, however, by Our Stories. The series that begins tonight is well worth half and hour of your evening. Put down the lemonade. Come in from the porch. Blow off Entertainment Tonight. Check out a series of 13 low-key profiles of remarkable Canadians."
-- TV & Radio Critic Mike Boone, The Gazette, Montreal, June 21, 1994

"Diverse and engaging personalities, all over the age of 60, provide a vibrant mosaic of Canada's history and culture. Rare archival film footage, family photographs and portraits complement the storytellers' natural styles. Some of the subjects have since passed away but their stories are preserved."
-- TV Magazine, Quesnel, British Columbia, June 25, 1994

"Our Stories, a new 13-part series looking at remarkably average Canadians, was made by Toronto's Glass Co. Inc. and it sports an intimacy not often seen on TV."
-- Jim Bawden, Bawden's Best, Starweek Magazine, June 25, 1994

"In each of the episodes I saw, a wonderful sense of our shared and diverse histories emerges. All of the subjects have lived for the better part of six decades or more and have had rich lives that reflect aspects of Canada's history while focusing on the always colourful personal experiences of the interviewees.

The series is attractively - and very respectfully - produced by Jane Glassco and Anne Pick and combines intimately shot interviews with family photographs, and personal and archival film. Through each subject we gain insights into different cultures and classes, geographies and parts of our shared history as Canadians. If this sounds a bit like a public service announcement, in a way the series is. At least one of the subjects (Connie Matthews) has since died, but in all cases the series provides a filmed record of invaluable oral history that helps us to glean a fuller sense of who we are and where we come from."
-- John Haslett Cuff, The Globe and Mail, June 28, 1994

Our Stories was produced in association with CBC Television, and first aired on its network from June 21 to September 27, 1994.