Gwekwaadziwin Miikan

Season 3, Episode 6: Lisa Osawamick – Healing, Purpose, and Living Mino Bimaadiziwin In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin , Sam and Matt sit down with Lisa Osawamick —therapist, educator, author, and founder of Zhaagwadwin Counselling and Consulting—for an inspiring conversation about healing, resilience, and finding purpose through life's challenges. Lisa shares her remarkable journey from...

In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin , Sam and Matt sit down with Anne Marie Thibault , Clinical Director at Gwekwaadziwin Miikan, and Stephanie Corbiere , Team Lead for Withdrawal Management and Harm Reduction, to explore the growth of one of Manitoulin Island's most important new health services. Together, they share their personal journeys into the helping profession, the evolution of Gwe...

Season 3, Episode 4: Graham McWaters – Hockey, Community, and Creating Opportunities In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin , Sam and Matt sit down with Graham McWaters , founder of the Indigenous Hockey Equipment Drive, to discuss the power of sport, community, and creating opportunities for Indigenous youth across Canada. Over the past 11 years, Graham has helped collect and distribute more...

Season 3, Episode 3: Dr. Sharlene Webkamigad – Indigenous Health, Identity, and Returning to Our Own Ways of Knowing In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin , Sam and Matt sit down with Dr. Sharlene Webkamigad , Anishinaabekwe from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, nurse, educator, researcher, and community advocate. Sharlene shares her journey from growing up on Manitoulin Island to becoming a r...

Season 3, Episode 2: Taylor Sayers – Community, Culture, and Indigenous Policing In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin , Sam and Matt sit down with Taylor Sayers , Director of Corporate Services for UCCM Anishinaabe Police Service, to discuss the evolving role of Indigenous policing and community safety. Taylor shares her journey into policing leadership and offers insight into what culturall...

In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin , Sam and Matt sit down with Paul Francis to discuss Indigenous health leadership, traditional healing, and the future of reconciliation within Ontario’s health care system. Paul shares his journey from his Manitoulin and Thunder Bay roots to leadership roles in social work, education, mental health, addictions, and health care. Drawing on his experience...

In this Season 2 finale of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin , we share a wide-ranging and deeply grounded conversation with Andy Aguonie , Traditional Knowledge Carrier at Gwekwaadziwin Miikan, former Chief of Sheguiandah First Nation, land-based counsellor, and a lifelong man connected to the land. Andy reflects on growing up on Manitoulin Island, the pull of home, and the teachings that shaped his journe...

In this powerful episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin , we sit down with Reggie Leach , Ojibwe from Berens River First Nation in Manitoba — Stanley Cup champion, NHL legend known as the “Riverton Rifle,” and one of the first Indigenous superstars in professional hockey. Reggie shares his journey from growing up in Riverton, Manitoba — learning the game on outdoor ice and practicing in the dark — to...

In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin , we sit down with Kathryn Corbiere — welder, artist, fabricator, and proud Anishinaabe-kwe from M’Chigeeng First Nation . Kathryn shares her journey from growing up on Manitoulin Island, through sports and the trades, to becoming a full-time artist creating large-scale public installations across Ontario — including nationally recognized work. We explore...

In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin , we sit down with Corey MacDonald , Land-Based Lead Facilitator with Noojmowin Teg . Corey shares his journey growing up on Manitoulin, leaving home to explore the world — including a memorable season working as an au pair in Switzerland — and eventually returning to the Island with a renewed connection to hiking, harvesting, and land-based living. We ta...

In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin , Sam and Matt sit down with Dan Ardis from Pine River Institute , an organization known for its long-term, land-based treatment model supporting youth and families across Ontario. Dan brings more than 25 years of experience as an educator, vice principal, and principal, and now plays a key leadership role in Pine River’s outdoor leadership and campus pro...

In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin , Sam and Matt sit down with Dr. Brenda M. Restoule , CEO of the First Peoples Wellness Circle (FPWC) and one of the leading voices in Indigenous mental wellness across the country. Brenda, from Dokis First Nation and Eagle Clan, has spent decades supporting communities, helpers, and wellness teams through culturally grounded approaches that centre Indige...

In episode 4, Sam is joined by special guest host Rachel to sit down with Monica Neitzert (MCCSS) and Adryan Bergstrom Borins (MOH) to explore the 30-year history of the Indigenous Healing & Wellness Strategy and the future of Indigenous mental health and addictions in Ontario. They discuss the Strategy’s origins, land-based healing, community-led approaches, and the realities of supporting In...

In this episode, we pull up an extra chair for a conversation with architects Mike and Tim from 3rd Line Studio. Together, we explore how nature, relationships, communication, and creative vision shape their work — and get an inside look at the principles of biophilic design.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Dirk Huyer, the Chief Coroner for Ontario. We talk about his professional journey and how the data from the investigations can help support future healing opportunities and work towards continuous improvement within the system.

We kick off Season 2 of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin with educator, coach, and outdoors storyteller Neil Debassige. — the creator and host of Fuel The Fire TV, a series that follows Neil and his Pro Staff as they pursue wild game across Ontario and beyond. Viewers of Fuel the Fire get more than just the hunt — they see the real life that surrounds it: the early mornings, the near misses, and the balanc...

In this final episode of Season 1 of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin , Matt and Sam sit down with Craig Abotossaway, Executive Director of Mnaamodzawin Health Services, for a conversation that challenges how we understand Indigenous wellness, identity, and the systems that surround them. Drawing from both lived experience and leadership in community-based health services, Craig speaks to the complexity of...

In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin , Matt and Sam sit down with Dr. Nav Persaud — a family physician, researcher, and longtime advocate for health equity — to explore the role of research within land-based healing. Through years of connection with Gwekwaadziwin Miikan and its participants, Dr. Persaud reflects on both the value and the limitations of western approaches to mental health and...

In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin , we sit down with Tee Duke for a powerful and honest conversation about identity, leadership, and finding balance between different worlds. Tee shares his journey navigating life between urban environments and home community, and the lessons that come with staying grounded in who you are while moving through spaces that don’t always reflect that identity...

In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin , we sit down with Dr. Jules Koostachin — an award-winning filmmaker, storyteller, and member of Attawapiskat First Nation — for a powerful conversation on storytelling, identity, and the responsibility of carrying our voices forward. Drawing from her work in film, theatre, and the social service sector, Dr. Koostachin shares how storytelling has always b...

In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin , we sit down with Dr. Pamela Williamson — a member of Moose Deer Point First Nation, longtime health leader, and passionate advocate for Indigenous wellness. With over 15 years of experience as an Executive Director in Indigenous primary health care, Dr. Williamson shares her journey from post-secondary education into health leadership, and the lessons s...

Episode 5: Rob Mellan — Land, Learning, and Adapting in Real Time In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin , we sit down with Rob Mellan — a lifelong outdoorsman, instructor, and knowledge holder with deep experience in canoe building, trapping, and land-based living. Rob shares stories from a lifetime spent on the land, including his work building 30-foot cedar strip canoes and teaching fur har...

In this episode, we are honoured to share our open and honest conversation with Oob-Kobijun, Donald Cada Baa. Don Baa was an important member of the Gwekwaadziwin Miikan community where he provided cultural and therapeutic support, as well as lots of laughter to participants and staff. From his memorial card: “Don Spent his life journey using the gifts given to him by the Creator to help so many,...

Episode 3 The Honourable Michael Tibollo – Building a Continuum of Care In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin , we speak with The Honourable Michael Tibollo, Associate Attorney General of Ontario. This conversation was originally recorded while Minister Tibollo was serving as Ontario’s Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, where he helped lead the development of the province’s R...

Roger Beaudin – Community Leadership and the Foundations of Land-Based Healing In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin , we sit down with Roger Beaudin, longtime Health Director for M’Chigeeng First Nation and former Enaagdenjged (Band Manager). Roger reflects on the early conversations and community leadership that helped shape the vision for Gwekwaadziwin Miikan and the development of land-ba...