The Legacy of Hope Foundation Presents: Indigenous Roots and Hoots

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoot s, we are joined in studio by former NHL hockey player John Chabot. John is an Anishinabeg Algonquin from Kitigan Zibi First Nation. In this interview, John shares details of his life, including playing professional hockey in the National Hockey League and in Europe, as well as the travel he continues to do through his work with the National Indigenous Alum...

This week, host Gordon is joined by Waneek Horn Miller. Waneek is a Kanienkeháka Olympian, mother, motivator and an incredibly inspirational human being. In this interview she discusses the upbringing she received from her mother, including the value placed on sports and how it helped her navigate difficult moments in life, to becoming a role model and ultimately finding ways to honour and fulfill...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoot s, we are joined by the impressive Inuk Elder Piita Irniq. Piita is a drum dancer, Inukshuk builder, former commissioner of Nunavut, Survivor of the Residential School System, and much more. As he shares in this interview, in spite of the hardships endured in the Residential School, he has lived a great life. Piita travels the world building Inukshuks, teac...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoot s, we are joined by Elder Vince Kicknosway from Bkejwanong First Nation. Vince is of Pottawatomi ancestry and from the Loon Clan. Vince is a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. In this interview, he reflects on his childhood experiences, including attending an Indian Day School, and later being separated from his family as part of the Sixti...

This week on the Roots and Hoots Podcast, we are proud to release a music compilation episode. Featuring Indigenous musicians and singer-songwriters from the past six years, this episode includes music from each featured guest, along with stories of how their gift is a tool for healing and about the joys of performing and sharing their gift with others.  List of guests in Music episode ...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, we are joined by Dr. Lynn Gehl, a member of Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation. Dr. Gehl joins us from Peterborough, as she shares important reflections on Wampum diplomacy, Algonquin history and the ongoing land claim process, along with her work on advocating for Indigenous veterans and Indigenous women and girls with disabilities. Show Notes Fur t...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, we are joined by Brandon Mitchell from Listuguj Mi'gmaq First Nation. Brandon has always had an innate talent for drawing, and in this interview, he shares how he developed a career in storytelling and animation - reminding listeners that we all have stories worth sharing and preserving. Show Notes https://birchbarkcomics.com/projects/sacred-circles/ Birc...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, we are joined by Douglas Sinclair, a member of Peguis First Nation in Treaty 1 Territory. Douglas is the publisher and founder of Indigenous Watchdog, a vital online resource which reports on the status of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, and holds stakeholders accountable to progress made in real time. This episode is highly informative and instructiv...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, we are joined by Andrew Bomberry - an educator and curriculum developer from Six Nations of the Grand River, the largest First Nations reserve in Canada by population. In this episode, Andrew and Gordon explore the historic significance of the Woodland Cultural Centre, the formation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the importance of Wampum agreements...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, we are joined by Adrian Stimson. Adrian is an interdisciplinary artist from the Siksika Nation in southern Alberta. In this interview, Adrian shares stories of his lifelong connection to art, and the opportunities that have come his way because of it - including one of his latest projects as host of the six-part CBC podcast series Forged , which looks at...

On this week’s episode, host Gordon is joined by Leena Minifie. Leena is a Gitxaala/British film and television producer based in Vancouver. For Leena, her identity is intimately woven into her work in media and digital storytelling. Leena discusses the thrill of getting to learn from her heroes, her past projects and her latest documentary film The Good Canadian, where she made her directorial de...

The Legacy of Hope Foundation is proud to rerelease a powerful episode from our archives of Roots and Hoots, titled Lost in the Arctic. In this episode, host Gordon Spence is joined by special guests Alyssa Flaherty-Spence and Lavinia Qiatsuk Flaherty, who share their incredible true story of becoming lost in the Canadian Arctic. The episode also features David Sudlovenik, the individual who would...

The Legacy of Hope Foundation is pleased to announce the release of the final episode in our 8-part podcast series on the Federal Indian Day School System with Blackfoot scholar Apooyak’ii, Dr. Tiffany Prete. Dr. Prete is a member of the Kainai (Blood) Tribe, Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge and the Canadian Research Chair in Indigenous Resiliency....

The Legacy of Hope Foundation is pleased to announce the release of our seventh episode in an 8-part series on the Federal Indian Day School System with Barry Sarazin. Host Gordon joins Barry at his home in Pikwàkanagàn First Nation as they discuss the ongoing fight for the protection of Indigenous rights and why language teachings should form an integral part of education for Indigenous Peop...

The Legacy of Hope Foundation is pleased to announce the release of our sixth episode in an 8-part series on the Federal Indian Day School System with Navalik Tologanak. Navalik, originally from Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, speaks with host Gordon about the unique experiences of Inuit students within the colonial education system and how Day School ultimately conditioned her not to be afraid of white p...

In this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, we are joined by former Master Seaman with the Royal Canadian Navy, Greg Guerin. Greg is a member of Kanasatake First Nation and speaks with Gordon about his 12 years of service, including some of the most fulfilling moments of his career. On this Remembrance Day, we pay tribute to the more than 461,240 veterans across Canada who have served in the Canadi...

The Legacy of Hope Foundation is pleased to announce the release of our fifth episode in an 8-part series on the Federal Indian Day School System with Susan Flett. Susan is from Tataskweyak Cree Nation and talks about her experience growing up on the trapline and in CN housing, to then moving on reserve and going to the Split Lake Day School. Susan shares vividly about her time in Day School. As a...

In this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, host Gordon is pleased to be joined by publisher and filmmaker Rebeka Tabobondung. Rebeka is from Wasauksing First Nation located on the shores of Lake Huron/Mnidoo Gamii (Spirit Lake). In this conversation, Rebeka shares her journey into media and storytelling, including details on her latest docuseries Spirit of Birth.  Interview Transcript Show No...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, the team is honoured to present a compilation episode that combines some of the very best insights, knowledge and perspectives shared on the podcast to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Here is the link to access the episode's activity booklet . Version FR du livret. Here is the link to the Interview transcript . Version FR de la...

This is the fourth episode of our 8-part series called Classrooms of Injustice . Gordon connects with his friend Erroll Kinistino as they discuss history and share reflections. Erroll is from Ochapowace First Nation in Southern Saskatchewan and shares what life was like going to a one-room Day School and why it was important to him and his community to build a new school on the reserve. Interview...

The LHF is pleased to announce the release of our third episode in an 8-part series on the Federal Indian Day School System with Dolores Peltier. Dolores shares memories from her time attending Day School from Kindergarten to Grade Eight. Dolores has mixed feelings about her experiences at Day School. She notes how most teachers would punish, shame and belittle students publicly – except for...

The LHF is pleased to announce the release of our second episode in an 8-part series on the Federal Indian Day School System with Conrad Saulis. Conrad is the Executive Director with the Wabanaki Council on Disability, and in this discussion, he shares candidly about his experience at the Tobique Indian Day School. He tells us why it's important for Canadians to know more about the Day School Syst...

The LHF is pleased to announce the release of our first episode in an 8-part series on the Federal Indian Day School System with Dr. Jackson Pind. Dr. Pind is a mixed-settler Anishinaabe scholar and assistant professor of Indigenous methodologies at Trent University. Dr. Pind is a leading historian on the Day School System (DSS) and sits down with host Gordon to provide an overview of the DSS in C...

​ New Series Coming Soon! The Roots and Hoots Podcast is excited to announce the release of a special project we've been working on. With funding support from the Indigenous Screen Office, Roots and Hoots will be releasing a new series starting next week. Classrooms of Injustice features eight episodes with Survivors and Indigenous scholars who shed light on the Federal Day School System. Joi...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, our host is joined by Anita Cardinal - a proud Nêhiyaw (Cree) lawyer and runner. Anita shares how her discipline and healing practice of running helped her to achieve her dream of becoming a lawyer. Anita helps listeners understand the difference between Aboriginal law and Indigenous law, and reflects on wisdom her mother passed down to her after attendin...