The Legacy of Hope Foundation Presents: Indigenous Roots and Hoots

In the spirit of National Indigenous History Month, the Roots and Hoots Podcast is proud to celebrate some of the powerful voices and messages shared over the past five years. Born out of a commitment to community and connection, the Podcast is a labour of love that amplifies and uplifts Indigenous Peoples' voices, histories, and strength. Order of guest clips: Episode 57 with Sean Carleton Episod...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, our host is joined by beader Charlene Raven Tolley, owner of Raven’s Nest Arts and Crafts. For Charlene, beading is more than a craft – it is a healing and meditative practice rooted in a family tradition that spans four generations of women beaders. In this episode, Charlene shares her love of beading and how it is tied to well-being.  Show Notes: R...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, our host is joined by Marty Wildman. Marty is an accomplished rodeo judge, rodeo cowboy, actor, stuntman, musician, President of the Alberta Treaty Hockey Association, co-founder of Stunt Nations, and co-owner of Lone Eagle Ventures. Above all, he is a devoted family man who loves horses and sharing his skills and vast knowledge to help others on their he...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, our host is joined by local grassroots activist and community leader Gabrielle Fayant. Gabrielle is a proud Métis woman from the Fishing Lake Métis Settlement in Alberta. She is a co-founder of ​the Assembly of Seven Generations (A7G) and co-manager of Adaawewigamig, a social enterprise in Ottawa’s Byward Market​. Gabrielle shares her deep love for her fa...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots , we are pleased to be joined by Elder Thomas R. Louttit. Elder Thomas is a respected leader in his community, living a life in service to others. Originally from Moose Factory, he shares stories about his early days of living off the land, experiences in the Residential School System and the foster care system, to life today, including his role as a keepe...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots , our host is pleased to be joined by a woman he both admires and calls a friend, Elder Belinda Vandenbroeck. Gordon and Elder Belinda both attended the Mackay Residential School in Dauphin, Manitoba and discuss their experiences in Northern Manitoba, their connections to the Ukrainian community there and the important role that culture plays in reminding...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, host Gordon Spence is pleased to be joined by two outstanding staff members at the Legacy of Hope Foundation, Tara Devlin and Hannah Vicaire. Tara and Hannah are the Indigenous Community Engagement Officers at LHF and through their work and life experiences, provide impactful workshops to Indigenous communities across Canada. Tara and Hannah share many gr...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, host Gordon Spence is pleased to be joined by a proud member of the Apitipi Anicinapek Nation and founder of Makatew Workshops, Marc Forgette. In this episode, Marc and Gordon discuss Indigenous tourism, the importance of cultural appreciation, and how individuals and organizations can take specific action on the 94 Calls to Action .   Show Notes: Apitipi...

In this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots , host Gordon Spence is thrilled to be joined by the Arctic Rose herself, Susan Aglukark. Susan Aglukark is an Inuk woman from the community of Arviat which is in the Kivalliq region of Nunavut. Susan discusses life before her career as a singer-songwriter, including her time spent working at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, to her decision to dedic...

In this episode of Roots and Hoots , host Gordon Spence is thrilled to be joined by historian, scholar and Associate Head of the Department of Indigenous Studies at the University of Manitoba, Dr. Sean Carleton. In this powerful conversation, Sean speaks with Gordon about being an ally, the importance of non-Indigenous Peoples’ role in confronting Residential School denialism and his connection wi...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots , host Gordon Spence is pleased to be joined by fellow Cree speaker Cameron Adams. Cameron is a proud member of Berens River First Nation in Treaty 5 Territory and is on his journey to becoming a fluent Cree language speaker. His hope for revitalizing Indigenous languages shines through, making him a powerful example for Indigenous Peoples seeking to deepe...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots , host Gordon Spence is joined by Métis scholar and historian, Dr. Allyson Stevenson. The two share an important conversation on Métis history and heritage. Allyson helps listeners understand the policies and politics that have led to Métis dispossession of land and the severing of kinship ties, while also highlighting stories of resistance along the way....

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots , host Gordon Spence is joined by his friend, Cree actor and former Chief of Fox Lake Cree Nation, Michael Lawrenchuk. Michael discusses the road that led to his impressive acting career and how it continues to save and heal him. In 2014, Michael became a fellow of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London and is a member of the actors union ACTRA - from whom...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots , host Gordon Spence is joined by Inuk hunter, community and family man, Johnny Flaherty. The two discuss life up in Canada’s Northern Arctic and Johnny shares stories of his many polar bear hunts and travels with his dog sled team.    Show Notes  Nanook of the North (1922) Filmmaker Robert J. Flaherty Inuit High Arctic Relocation Program Inuktitut Swarovs...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots , host Gordon Spence is thrilled to be joined by artist and filmmaker Shelley Niro. Shelley is a member of the Six Nations Reserve, Turtle Clan, of the Bay of Quinte Mohawk. In this interview, Shelley and Gordon discuss the evolution of Shelley’s artistic process and her recent film Café Daughter. Show Notes  Six Nations of the Grand River  Silent Speakers...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots , host Gordon Spence sits down with Apooyak’ii/Dr. Tiffany Hind Bull-Prete. Tiffany is a member of the Kainai (Blood Tribe) of the Siksikasitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy). She is an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge. Tiffany recently curated the 'Stolen Kainai Children: Stories of Survival' exhibit, showcased...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots , host Gordon sits down with Natasha Fisher, an Ojibwe and Finnish singer, songwriter, and producer from Long Lake #58 First Nation. Natasha’s wisdom coupled with a delightful sense of joy and down-to-earth personality shines throughout the interview as she and Gordon discuss her community, her music and upcoming projects and the experiences that have help...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots , host Gordon Spence sits down with one of his favorite musical talents, Errol “C-Weed” Ranville of the band C-Weed. The two Manitoba boys discuss all things music. From Errol’s early days of growing up in a musical family, including Errol’s road to success. He has received some big lessons in life, and his gifts of writing and music have guided him throug...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots , host Gordon Spence is thrilled to be joined by His Excellency Whit Fraser, C.C. With an illustrious communications career in Canada’s Arctic, Mr. Fraser takes listeners on a journey that includes key events and figures that have shaped today’s Arctic. His coverage with CBC included the First Minister’s Constitutional amendments that enshrined Indigenous...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots , host Gordon Spence is joined by Peter Ittinuar Freuchen. They discuss his journey to Ottawa, government processes and goes into detail about the process leading up to the enshrinement of Section 35 into the Canadian Constitution. As the first Inuk Member of Parliament, Peter shares about his journey to Ottawa and his work in the protection of and access...

In this special collaboration episode with Knockabout Media, host Soleil Launière interviews a variety of guests to discuss the Professional Native Indian Artists Incorporation (PNIAI). Fifty years ago the Professional Native Indian Artists Incorporation (PNIAI) transformed the art world forever. As part of Indigenous activism happening across the Americas in the 1970s, the “Indian Group of 7” (as...

In this special Roots and Hoots collaboration episode with Knockabout Media, host Gordon Spence is pleased to be joined by Eric Burant and Garrison Garrow of the Indigenous Art Centre (IAC). Eric Burant is an Archivist of mixed Anishinaabe and settler ancestry and Garrison Garrow is the Manager of Programs and Collections and is a Kanien'kehá:ka artist from Akwesasne. The two speak with Gordon abo...

We're back! On this week’s episode of  Roots and Hoots , host Gordon Spence is pleased to be joined by Kelly Saxberg. Kelly is an Indigenous ally of European descent. With over 100 film credits, Kelly uses her creative platform to amplify Indigenous voices and raise awareness for Indigenous causes. Gordon Spence discusses with Kelly Saxberg her journey into filmmaking and some of the important pro...

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, host Gordon Spence is pleased to be joined by Manise Young. Manise is the Lab Head, for books at Library and Archives Canada (LAC). She and Gordon sit down to discuss the importance of preserving important historical documents, so that Canadians can continue to have access to them for generations to come. In this interview, Manise shares specifically abou...

In this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, our host Gordon Spence is delighted to welcome Morgan Hare. Hailing from the M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island, Mr. Hare has been instrumental in urban Indigenous program development for over three decades. He currently runs Hare Consulting Group Inc., having previously worked with the Odawa Native Friendship Centre and the Tungasuvvingat Inuit...