Two Eyed Seeing: Bridging the Indigenous and Western Understanding of Health, Healing & Life Podcast

In this episode, I will be sharing about about the importance of culturally focused care, and training within a cultural context. Sometimes people don't understand why we, as Indigenous people, ask for spaces, training and care that are specific to our cultural practices and traditions. They misunderstand this request as something that would be 'nice to have', when in reality it is absolutely esse...

In this episode, I will be talking with Dr. Kathy Absolon about the role of Grandmothers, relating to your Elders, and rediscovering healthy family relationships in our current times. Dr. Kathy Absolon is a grandmother, mother, sister, daughter and Associate Professor in the Indigenous Field of Study in the Faculty of Social Work at Wilfred Laurier University and Founding Director of the Centre fo...

In this episode, I will be talking about some of the foundational pieces to consider when preparing your body for a healthy pregnancy journey. I recently did a webinar covering some of these key areas to prepare your body, and by extension your baby, for a healthy pregnancy, birth and postpartum. The recording of that webinar is in this episode you are about to listen to, as well as an introductio...

In this episode, I will be talking about some of the historical and current context surrounding MMIWG2S (Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls and 2 Spirit People), including recent events that are related to this issue as well as gender/LGBTQ2SIA+.   [TRIGGER WARNING]: MMIWG2S and related topics are discussed in this episode.   IN THIS EPISODE: [1:15] Brief update about the podcast  [2:45]...

Hello and welcome back to Two-Eyed seeing, we're going to be talking about what it intentions and goals versus resolutions. So, stay tuned.   "IN ORDER TO REACH OUR WELL- BEING OUR GOALS, WE HAVE TO PUT OUR MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, SUB-CONCIOUS MIND, IDENTITY, HABITS, PHYSICAL & NUTRITIONAL PIECES, TOGETHER."   In this episode we are chatting about new year's resolutions. If you feel like you are alread...

In this episode I will be talking about Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada, the complicated legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, and thinking about what it means to be a true ally to Indigenous communities.  WARNING: Residential Schools and other difficult topics are discussed in this episode.   [1:25] What is the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation [1:45] The importance of language  [3:00] What...

In this episode, I am talking about all things to do with body image and body acceptance. This includes talking about the co-author project I've been involved with over the past year and is now officially published. [1:00] Talking about body acceptance and Body Bliss [3:59] Who is affected by Body Image Issues and Why It's Important [6:58] Body Image issues within the LGBTQ2SIA+ community [9:31] T...

In this episode, I am having a conversation with Grandmother Renee about her perspective on women's health, moon time, and pre/ post natal care.    [1:00] Introduction to Grandmother Renee [3:45] Grandmother Renee  [6:25] The gift of moon time  [9:10] What would happen during your moon time when Grandmother Renee was younger & how self care was prioritized [21:05] A different perspective on birthi...

In most Indigenous traditions we have some understanding of the Seven Generations. This concept has multiple applications, but one of those perspectives is the impact on the health and well being in relation to pregnancy and the health of the expectant mother and her baby. In this webinar we will discuss this concept in relation to where prenatal health actually begins, and how it applies to under...

Hello and welcome back to Two-Eyed seeing, we're going to be talking about what it means to reflect and review what the year has been for us and how we can look forward to the year that's coming. So, stay tuned. “ REFLECT ON WHERE WE ARE IN LIFE, AND WHAT SORTS OF IMPACTS WE CAN MAKE FOR OURSELVES AND FOR OUR FAMILY, AND FOR THOSE AROUND US” In this episode, we are going to be talking about what a...

Hello and welcome back to Two-Eyed seeing, we're going to be talking about all things to do with spirituality and what that means for you. So, stay tuned. “ WE ARE NOT PHYSICAL BEINGS HAVING A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE, WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS HAVING A PHYSICAL EXPERIENCE.” In this episode, we are going to be talking about one of the things that I've often heard from my teachers in various ways of bein...

Hello and welcome back to Two-Eyed seeing, we're going to be talking a little bit about birth and death, and how the two actually come together and really complete the cycle of life. so stay tuned. “ BIRTH, LIFE & DEATH ARE ALL CONNECTED. THEY ALL FLOW TOGETHER” In this episode, we are going to be talking all about the circle of life, today and that life is full of both joy and sadness. That is wh...

Hello and welcome back to Two-Eyed seeing, we're going to be talking all about stress. Because this is huge for all of us almost all the time, but especially right now, so stay tuned. “REST IS ACTUALLY WHAT IS SHARPENING OUR CAPACITY” In this episode, we are going to be talking all about stress today. We know that stress is something that we all deal with on an ongoing basis that we all have diffe...

Hello and welcome back to Two-Eyed seeing, we are going to be speaking with Dr. Cindy Gilbert. She is a naturopathic doctor, author and faculty member of the Canadian College of naturopathic medicine, and is very focused on treating those in our society who are stigmatized and marginalized in our wellness circles. So stay tuned for this amazing episode about how we can potentially be better at sup...

Hello and welcome back to Two-Eyed seeing, we are going to be talking about all things to do with the immune system and supporting the immune system. So be sure to stay with us.   YOU CAN'T OUTRUN A BAD DIET, YOU ALSO CAN'T OUT SUPPLEMENT A BAD DIET.   In this episode,what we're going to be talking about today is to do with the immune system. During this time of the year, I typically talk to my pa...

Hello and welcome back to Two-Eyed seeing, in this episode we are going to talk about an emotional topic that most of us do not want to talk about. This is going to be a little bit of a tougher topic for most of us, because it's just easier to not talk about it. That's the easy way out.  But we really do need to if we want to move forward in a more positive direction for all of us, so stay tuned....

Hello and welcome back to Two-Eyed seeing, in this episode we are actually going to be covering a clip of a recent webinar/seminar that I delivered for one of the indigenous communities that I had the privilege to work with. What we covered in that particular webinar was actually about postpartum mood issues, which is a big issue for so many of you out there. I know a lot of you moms struggled out...

Hello and welcome back to Two-Eyed seeing, in this episode we are going to be talking about blood sugar balance and what that means for our weight, especially when we carry too much weight. And we will touch a little bit on emotional eating which is fair warning for anyone that does have emotional eating issues, you may want to either wait on this episode or choose another episode, just so you hav...

Hello and welcome back to Two-Eyed seeing, in this episode we are going to go in a slightly different direction in relation to our Moon Time or our cycle. Since we just recently talked about Moon Time. So stay with me and stay tuned! A CLOSER LOOK WITH HEALTH AND PREGNANCY In this episode, we’re going to talk more about healthy pregnancy. Given the previous episode about the female hormonal cycle...

Hello and welcome back to Two-Eyed seeing, in this episode we are going to talk about our cycles, or what we commonly call our ‘Moon Time’. If this topic does not interest you, you may want to skip over this one. However, if you’re the type of male that is ready to hear and understand this conversation, so that you can be supportive to the women in your life, then I highly encourage you to keep li...

Hello and welcome back to Two-Eyed seeing, in this episode we’ll be talking about culture and language, and the important role that it has to play in our healthcare.  CULTURE AND LANGUAGE INTO HEALTHCARE In this episode, we’re going to discuss culture and language and its significant role in society. There are still existing cases of racism and wrong treatment in our healthcare system against indi...

Hello and welcome to the sixth episode of the Two-Eyed Seeing. In this episode, we’re going to be talking about something very near to my heart. It’s about BMI or also known as Body Mass Index, and we’re going to go into this in some depth, so if you have issues with Body Image, you may find this very interesting to listen to. So Stay Tuned! THE HISTORY OF THE BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) In this episode...

Hello and welcome to the fifth episode of the Two-Eyed Seeing. In this episode, we’re going to answer the question “What is a Birth Doula?” and the practices and implications of Doula work in both indigenous communities and outside indigenous communities in a wider world. Sit back, relax, and Stay Tuned! WHAT IS A BIRTH DOULA AND THE DOULA WORK? In this episode, I’m going to talk about Birth Doula...

Hello and welcome to the third episode of the Two-Eyed Seeing. In this episode, we’re going to cover the true meaning of Naturopathic Medicine and its aspects. Stay Tuned! WHAT IS NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE AND ITS PRIMARY BENEFITS? In this episode, I’m going to elaborate clearly what Naturopathic Medicine is all about. Many have claimed that Naturopathic Medicine is only one thing, which this belief i...

Understanding the impact of residential schools Hello and welcome to the third episode of the Two-Eyed Seeing. In this episode, we’re going to be talking about residential school. This happens to be a triggering topic for you, because you have either been a survivor of residential school or you have a close family member who is a survivor of residential school then maybe this might not be the righ...