Matriarch Movement

On this episode, host Shayla Ouellette Stonechild speaks with Justin Jacob Lewis, the founder of Indigenous streetwear brand Section 35. They discuss the inspiration behind the brand's name, which is derived from Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution which recognizes and protects Indigenous and treaty rights. Justin shares his journey as an Indigenous entrepreneur and the challenges he faced in...

Chelsee Pettit has spent the last number of years rethinking her relationship with money.  After founding Aaniin retail inc, the first Indigenous streetwear brand with a storefront in Treaty 13 territory in Tkaronto, with only $250, she’s experienced a whirlwind journey and countless lessons of reciprocity. She joins the Matriarch Movement to discuss why it can be so hard for Indigenous entreprene...

September 30th is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, as well as Orange Shirt Day, a time to honour the Indigenous children who never returned home, Survivors of residential schools, and their families and communities. In recognition of this important day, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau joined host Shayla Oulette Stonechild for a reflective conversation on how healing and empowerment through welln...

Jori Brennon is part of an exciting movement of young Indigenous artists telling stories through tradition. The talented 2Spirit, queer bead artist crafts thought-provoking accessories from bags to hair pieces and earrings, and joins the Matriarch Movement to discuss the power of storytelling in fashion. In this episode, Jori shares his insights on the intricacies and intention behind beadwork, wh...

What would it take to start seeing Indigenous fashion brands held to the same regard as Gucci, Ralph Lauren, and Prada? Lesley Hampton is at the forefront of that question. Leslie Hampton’s work as a fashion designer has been making waves across the fashion industry. She’s dressed A-listers like Lily Gladstone, and been named Forbes 30 Under 30 and Vogue’s No. 1 Canadian designer. In this episode,...

Indigenous Fashion Designer and Founder of Indigenous Fashion Arts, Sage Paul, joins the Matriarch Movement (again!) for a discussion ahead of the 2024 IFA festival and fashion show.  Sage shares a behind-the-scenes look at the production of the show and how IFA is different from the mainstream Fashion Weeks. She also discusses how she got involved with the Eaton Centre in Toronto, finding trusted...

Regalia isn’t a costume, it’s a connection to self and community.  Deanne Hupfield, Speaker, Pow Wow Dancer and Teacher, and Regalia-Making Instructor, joins the Matriarch Movement to have a candid conversation about her journey into pow wow dancing, regalia making, and matriarchy.  Deanne shares her insights on the realities of generational trauma from the Sixties Scoop; from overcoming addiction...

Indigenous peoples have overcome a lot of darkness, and we’re still able to dance. In this episode, Shayla Stonechild is joined by Jingle Dancer, Content Creator and Indigenous Advocate, Santee Siouxx, to chat about what it means to go back to the ceremony and tap into your dream state. Santee shares how finding ceremony evolved her relationship with dance, grief, and kinship. Matriarch Movement i...

Advocating for Indigenous youth means you need to be tapped into a lot of different sources. For Kairyn Potts, that means not only being ultra internet-savvy, but also having a personal connection to the system that impacts Indigenous youth on a massive scale: the foster care system. Kairyn is passionate about advocating for young people, and has gained an incredible following on social media for...

What does it mean to be an “Indigenous Influencer”? Marika Sila is an Inuvialuk actress, stunt performer, and activist who also shares content with over half a million followers across Instagram and Tiktok. She and her dad blew up the internet this year showcasing traditional snow blinders made from antler. Marika joins the Matriarch Movement podcast to share an inside perspective on the nuances o...

Lacrosse is more than a game, it’s medicine. Jeremy Thompson, professional lacrosse player from the Onondaga Nation, is known around the world for his incredible athleticism and activism within the sport of lacrosse. He joins the Matriarch Movement podcast to unpack lacrosse’s historical context and roots in indigeneity, and he shares how the sport has helped him heal. Matriarch Movement is create...

What does it mean to bring Indigeneity into colonial spaces, especially into the government? Michelle Friesen, City Councilor for the City of Whitehorse, knows a thing or two about it. In October 2021 she was elected as the first Indigenous woman to serve on Whitehorse City Council – the first Indigenous person to sit in City Council in 30 years. Early this year, Michelle and her son, Theo, were i...

Growing up as an Indigenous and queer person isn’t easy. Owen Unruh, a Two-Spirit, Nêhiyaw (Plains Cree) adoptee, felt ashamed of his identity until well into adulthood which led him to a battle with addiction. He joins the podcast to discuss his experience with substance abuse and how building a community online on TikTok has helped him through his recovery. In this episode, Owen opens up about h...

What is the role of Matriarchy in Indigenous futurism? Stephanie Peltier can tell you from experience, it’s critical. Stephanie Peltier is well known across Canada as “The Matriarch Who Raised One of Canada’s Leading Indigenous Water Activists”. As the single mother to Autumn Peltier, along with her two other daughters Naomi and Ceira, she’s experienced all of the ups and downs of supporting her f...

How do you stay connected to Indigenous values like kinship, community and sustainability while living in a colonial society? In this episode, Jesse Wente, an award-winning, Anishinaabe writer, broadcaster, and arts leader, joins the Matriarch Movement podcast to discuss what it really looks like to be a changemaker in colonial institutions as an Indigenous person. Jesse has made a massive imprint...

What does “Indigeneity” look like to you? In this episode, The Matriarch Movement podcast is joined by Shanese Indoowaaboo Steel. Shanese is an Afro-Indigenous, Fat Femme who's fought for the advancement of Indigenous and Racialized student rights within the Post-Secondary institution. Shanese also consults on curriculums and training around Black and Indigenous issues. We discuss the histories of...

For a long time it’s been non-Indigenous people telling Indigenous stories, and that means that stereotypes and a lack of humanity and empathy has been perpetuated in the media for years. Award-winning Indigenous podcaster and journalist, Connie Walker, joins the Matriarch Movement podcast to discuss her approach to trauma-informed storytelling, and what it was like to uncover the truth behind her...

Where do Indigenous youth find the space to be revolutionary? Riley Yesno has explored the many facets of Indigenous resurgence throughout most of her life, and has been advocating for “reconciliation” since she was 15 years old. Her time on the Prime Minister's Youth council was troubling  – proudly hailing herself as a “shit disturber” – but that time still inspired her interest in native politi...

What happens when Indigenous fashion is on the global stage? In February 2023, Sage Paul took seven Indigenous designers to Milan Fashion Week as a part of a three-year partnership between Indigenous Fashion Arts and White Milano, a tradeshow for international womenswear. Sage Paul is the Founding Executive and Artistic Director at Indigenous Fashion Arts, and in this episode I talk to her about h...

In this first 2022 episode of Matriarch Movement, Shayla welcomes award-winning Cree/Métis director and screenwriter, Asia Youngman. Asia’s films have been screened at a variety of festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival, the St. Louis International Film Festival, and the imagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival. Her latest film, HATHA, received support from the Harold Greenb...

This week on Matriarch Movement, host Shayla Oulette Stonechild is joined by Dr. Shannon Prince, Attorney, Legal Commentator, and Author of Cherokee descent. Her book Tactics for Racial Justice: Building an Antiracist Organization and Community is forthcoming from Routledge on November 30th as part of the Giving Voice to Values series. She represents the Cherokee Nation in its landmark lawsuit aga...

This week, host Shayla Oulette Stonechild is joined by Jessica Barudin. Jessica is Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw, a member of the 'Namgis First Nation with ties to the Kwakiutl and Haxwamis on her mother’s side and Russian-Jewish on her father’s side. She is a proud mother of two daughters, wife, Sundancer, Indigenous health researcher, yoga teacher and doula. She has spent the last ten years working profession...

Jessica Matten is of Red River Metis-Cree descent and is directly a descendant of Cuthbert Grant, the first rebel Metis leader famously known for the Battle of the Seven Oaks in Canada. Most recently, Jessica is set to star in Robert Redford, George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones) and Graham Roland's produced "Dark Winds" television series opposite Zahn McClarnon and Kiowa Gordon for the AMC Network...

Aly Bear (Tatanka Ska Win) is a proud mother and descendant of Dakota, Anishinaabe and Nehiyaw heritage. She is a member of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation where her father, Darcy Bear, currently serves as the Nation's Chief. Aly has worked tirelessly to advance her education while balancing her duties as a single parent. She obtained her juris doctor from the University of Saskatchewan, College...

This week, host Shayla Oulette Stonechild is joined by Nicole McLaren. Nicole is a mother, wife and entrepreneur at heart. Her steady search for opportunities, combined with her enterprising, Indigenous roots led her to launch Raven Reads – a subscription box featuring literature and goods from Indigenous authors and entrepreneurs across North America. Nicole is also the Founder and Chair of the I...