Podcasts & Blogs

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Indigenous Peoples believe they have held title to their traditional lands or territories from the moment their Creators placed them on that land (time immemorial) and bestowed them with the responsibility to care for it... forever. But then European explorers arrived, planted flags, and laid claim to all they saw. How was that possible?

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The Doctrine of Discovery was used by European monarchies, beginning in the mid-fifteenth century, as a means of legitimizing the colonization of lands outside of Europe. It was issued in 1493, the year after Christopher Columbus arrived on the shores of what is now known as North America. The Doctrine of Discovery continues to impact Indigenous Peoples throughout the world.

Mattie McMillan used She/her/They/them and is a Transgender Calgarian, policy analyst, community organizer, and we discuss the upcoming Day of Trans Visibility events and celebrations. You can connect with Mattie on her linktree: https://linktr.ee/rockymtnmattie

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This week: when culture and commerce collide. Three underground art rings producing hundreds if not thousands of fake artworks worth as much as $100 million: some mind-boggling numbers shared by police during recently-announced arrests of eight people on 40 charges for allegedly forging the work of the late Norval Morrisseau. Known for his bright, bold colours and dramatic composition, Morrisseau’s work vividly conveyed the cosmology of his people.

Sage Paul grew up watching the women in her life sew, bead and craft. She turned these skills into a career, and has been dreaming and designing clothes for over a decade. But clothes aren’t the only things she wants to create. As the executive and artistic director of Indigenous Fashion Arts, Sage also creates opportunities for other Indigenous designers to find success in the fashion industry. This past February, the Dene designer and artist led a delegation all the way to Milan Fashion Week.

Can a reserve’s chronically unsafe drinking water be associated with a greater risk of suicide for its residents? That’s the lethal link hypothesized in newly-released research entitled “Is Suicide a Water Justice Issue?

Kyla and Fable from AB ACORN join me to talk about advocacy, barriers, rent caps, tenant protections, homelessness, etc. Be part of the movement at https://acorncanada.org/

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When it comes to loss and moving gracefully through grief, Christa Couture knows a thing or two. The multi-talented writer, singer and now filmmaker has lived through more than her fair share of loss.

At 11 years old, she received a cancer diagnosis. She lost her first son when he was just a day old due to complications during childbirth. Her second son died at 14 months old due to complications with his heart. Soon after, her marriage ended. And just as some new beginnings emerged, cancer returned.

We first met Trevor, Supervisor of Donations Processing for Covenant House Vancouver, when he attended one of our Training Weeks. Trevor took the time to tell us about Covenant House, what they stood for, their goals and what he personally was doing to support reconciliation. Trevor left a lasting impression on our team and was a tireless advocate for truth and reconciliation and for supporting Indigenous initiatives.

Keeping It Together is an Indigenous-oriented audio/visual podcast showcasing stories and strategies for maintaining wellness in a post-pandemic world. Hosts Dr. Lynden Crowshoe, Dr. Adam Murry, Bridget White, Louis Crowshoe, and their guests share their experiences throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and explore the activities and hobbies that helped them “keep it together”. https://www.kitpodcast.ca/

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This week: our second, long-overdue MINI INDIGENA of the season features regulars Trina Roache (Rogers Chair in Journalism at the University of King’s College) and Kim TallBear (professor in the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta) as they join host/producer Rick Harp to discuss: •  Why we don’t necessarily love the idea of a First Nations person as Canada’s next top cop •  How a few Winnipeggers ain't lovin' some newly-proposed Indigenous names for city streets •  Why Kim hates the idea of “Native heritage” as used by settlers •  Monthly Patreon podcast supporter Raven a

It was a crime that shook the art world. One hundred million dollars in suspected forgeries, over 1000 more fakes seized and 8 arrests in a far-reaching forgery ring of renowned Ojibwa artist Norval Morrisseau’s work.

Police call it one of the largest art fraud schemes in history. But it's not just Morrisseau who has faced fakes and forgeries. Indigenous art makers and supporters all across Turtle Island say it is rampant and the cost is not just their livelihood – it is their culture.

Brown Eagle Belanger comes on to talk about his story, helping others, helping community, Indigenous sovereignty, Indigenous data and more. Check him out: https://linktr.ee/decolonizedcapital and follow him on TikTok @decolonizedcapital 

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Justin Delorme is Métis and an award-winning composer who has scored hundreds of television episodes like the true-crime series Taken, films like Finality of Dusk, and documentaries – including Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On. At just 29 years-old his career is only getting started.

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On June 21, 2021, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) received Royal Assent and immediately came into force. In doing so, Canada took a substantive step towards ensuring federal laws reflect the standards set out in DRIPA. There are many questions about DRIPA, so we answer the most common ones in this article.

Siksika Nation, Alberta - May 2, 2021. Photo: Shutterstock

“Indigenous People face the worst housing outcomes in the country.” Hon. Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations [1]

Paul, Marina and I encouraged victims of SA after the Tsuu T'ina Police encouraged victims to report Nathan Chasinghorse and the non Native reporting gave zero context of Indigenous perspective, racism, gendered violence, & spiritual abuse of the barriers victims face.

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This week: Press Proximity to Power. For our latest TalkBack edition of MEDIA INDIGENA, where monthly supporters of the podcast debrief with us on our latest deep-dive discussion, MI regular Candis Callison and host/producer Rick Harp are joined by listeners as they follow up on their earlier sit-down with Regan Boychuk, an independent political economist and researcher whose paper, "Proximity to

Got land you want to give back? That may be harder than you think. Even when a group or individual is ready and willing to give land back to First Nations, there is no system in place to make this happen easily. Still, those who believe in land back are making it happen.

Bren Littlelight and I encouraged victims of SA after the Tsuu T'ina Police encouraged victims to report Nathan Chasinghorse and the non Native reporting gave zero context of racism and gendered violence of the barriers victims face. Follow her at https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenlittlelight

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On our latest TalkBack edition, where monthly supporters of the podcast share their questions and comments, a follow-up with journalist Dawn Marie Paley about her piece, “Canadian developers are gentrifying Mexico’s beaches,” published at The Breach. Also back are host/producer Rick Harp and Associate Professor of Indigenous Studies at York University Brock Pitawanakwat, as we pick up where we left off last episode, “How Canadian tourists help endanger Indigenous lands in Mexico.”  // CREDITS: 'Guitar

Asbestos mine, Asbestos, Quebec. Photo:
B*lly Frank, Flickr

--EXLCUSIVE--I am joined by Marilyn North Peigan to talk about her candidacy for the provincial NDP, and what happened from her perspective.

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Shelley Nearing comes back to discuss how difficult it is to get ADHD and autism dx's for women in adulthood in Alberta. Follow her at https://shelleyautiewriter.org/

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From the people searching on the frontlines, to those who hold Canadians to account and the women who know the solutions, we find power and place amidst the national crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2Spirit people.

Indigenous Book Club: Ch. 9 & 10 National Inquiry

Three Indigenous nations along the Pacific coast of Turtle Island are working tirelessly to save the salmon because salmon is an integral part of who they are - spiritually, culturally, socially and economically.

Brook Thompson is a member of the Yurok and Kurok tribes in Northern California. She is a restoration engineer working to restore the Klamath River. In November 2022, her people successfully won a legal battle to have four dams removed from the Klamath River to help restore decimated salmon populations.

“Sacred Creatures” by Stz’uminus artist John Marston in front of FortisBC’s Surrey office. Photo: Bob Joseph

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Education is considered a human right in Canada. Yet, while Canada has one of the world's highest levels of educational attainment, the graduation rate for Indigenous students remains far lower than that of non-Indigenous students. How is that possible? The answer lies in the history of Canada.

Dr. JPB Gerald is a published Black New Yorker (on Munsee Lenape/Canarsie land) with ADHD and his podcast is Unstandardized English