Healing Justice: An Introduction
Indigenous Climate Action Pod
Healing is justice, but what does this look like in practice? Learn more about the importance of individual and community healing with 3 healing justice advocates: Meda DeWitt, Arlana Bennett, and Michelle Brass. Meda’s Tlingit names are Tśa Tsée Naakw, Khaat kłaat, adopted Iñupiaq name is Tigigalook, and adopted Cree name is Boss Eagle Spirit Woman “Boss.” Her clan is Naanyaa.aayí and she is a child of the Kaach.aadi. Her family comes from Shtuxéen kwaan (now referred to as Wrangell, AK.) Meda’s lineage also comes from Oregon, Washington, and the BC/Yukon Territories....
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In the Know: For the Love of Manoomin (Wild Rice)
Indigenous Climate Action Pod
Manoomin (wild rice) grows along the waterways of Northern Turtle Island and has been treasured by Anishinaabe since time immemorial. But in the past hundred years, protecting wild rice has become an increasing concern. Learn more about this sacred food source from manoomin harvesters James Whetung, William Yerxa, and Jana Rae Yerxa. Inspired by Harold Perry, whose grandmother carried seeds from Rice Lake to the Mississippi River near Ardock, James Whetung returned home from Ardock's 1982 food security uprising to his community of Curve Lake First Nation determined to restore their wild rice...
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In the Know: Hides, Tans, and Leathers
Indigenous Climate Action Pod
Traditional materials are both beautiful and sustainable, but they take a lot of work to prepare! We talked to three folks with lots of experience in this art form, covering sealskins, hide tanning, and fish leather: Mandee McDonald, Samantha Saksagiak, and Amber Sandy. Mandee McDonald is a hide tanner, workshop facilitator, and a PhD student in the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta where her work focuses on hide tanning theory and land-based learning. She is a co-founder and the Managing Director for Dene Nahjo, a Dene innovation collective that fosters Indigenous...
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In the Know: Respect the Moose
Indigenous Climate Action Pod
Moose are vital to many Indigenous communities across so-called Canada. In this episode we learn about Cree moose teachings from Jeff Wastesicoot and Dr. Kevin Lewis before talking to Chief Joe Alphonse (Tŝilhqot’in) and Dara Wawatie-Chabot (Anishinaabe) about their experiences with moose preservation.
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Rising Up: The Founding of ICA
Indigenous Climate Action Pod
In this episode, ICA’s Executive Director, Eriel, speaks to the first meeting that led to the formation of Indigenous Climate Action.
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Youth in Action: Youth Artists and Activism
Indigenous Climate Action Pod
In this episode we explore the intersections of art and activism with two Indigenous youth artists: Victoria Anderson-Gardner, an Ojibway filmmaker and Robby Dick, a Dene photographer.
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In the News: How Do You Cancel a Pipeline?
Indigenous Climate Action Pod
How do you cancel a pipeline? In this episode we speak to two Indigenous activists who have been campaigning against the extraction industry for years from the frontlines to the UN: Melina Laboucan-Massimo and Dallas Goldtooth.
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In the Know: Bear Teachings
Indigenous Climate Action Pod
Bears can be found all across so-called Canada and many Indigenous communities & Nations have lived side-by-side with bears. In this episode, we hear from Jeff Wastesicoot & Daphie Pooyak on Cree bear teachings before speaking to Inuk youth, Ruth Kaviok, about her experiences with polar bears. We end with an Inuit story about polar bears, read by ICA SC Member and Inuk/Mi’kmaq youth, Bryanna R. Brown.
info_outlineBears can be found all across so-called Canada and many Indigenous communities and Nations have lived side-by-side with bears. In this episode, we hear from Jeff Wastesicoot and Daphie Pooyak on Cree bear teachings before speaking to Inuk youth, Ruth Kaviok, about her experiences with polar bears. We end with an Inuit story about polar bears, read by ICA Steering Committee Member and Inuk/Mi’kmaq youth, Bryanna R. Brown.
We want to recognize that some of the audio for this episode was pulled from a webinar co-hosted by Keepers of the Water, Kâniyâsihk Culture Camps, Indigenous Knowledge & Wisdom Centre, and Indigenous Climate Action.
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Jeff Wastesicoot comes from Pimickamack Cree Nation (Cross Lake Manitoba). He has served as a Language consultant and knowledge Keeper for many years. Jeff continues to dedicate much of his time to helping people overcome personal challenges through ceremonies, traditional medicines and counseling. He has dedicated his life to the preservation of the Nehiyew language and culture.
Daphie Pooyak identifies as a Nakota Cree traditional teacher and cultural advisor, Daphie comes from Sweetgrass First Nation located in central Saskatchewan. Mother of 5 children and grandmother of 4 grandchildren. Over the course of 20 years she has worked as a professional educator specializing in cultural education, and land based learning. Also working in the area of addictions, healing and trauma.
Ruth Kaviok is an Inuk youth from Arviat, Nunavut. Ruth is the former president of the National Inuit Youth Council and has travelled to various places all over the world to speak about Inuit rights and the effects of climate change on Inuit communities.
Bryanna R. Brown is Inuk and Mi’kmaq from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador. She is a Labrador Land Protector. My vision is to be a good role model for her community by providing her insights regarding social justice issues, intergenerational trauma affecting indigenous communities, climate injustice, systemic racism, and cultural revitalization.
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The story Bryanna read is called “Children Getting Lost” and was taken from the book Inuit Legends, edited and illustrated by Mark Kalluak
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The ICA Pod team is made up of Lindsey Bacigal, Morningstar Derosier, and Brina Romanek.