Warrior Life

In Episode 61, we talk to President of the Haida Nation Gaagwis (Jason Alsop)about the important safety measures the Haida Nation is taking to protect their citizens and neighbors from the covid-19 pandemic. He shares with us his path to leadership and why governing our territories according to our laws is so important - especially when it comes to the health, safety and well-being of Haida people...

In Episode 60, Kanien'kehá:ka warrior Ellen Gabriel talks to us about the importance of protecting Haudenosaunee lands and sovereignty. She also updates us about the Town of Oka's intentions to dig up their lands without their permission. Ellen was chosen by the People of the Longhouse and her community of Kanehsatà:ke to be their spokesperson during the 1990 “Oka” Crisis; to protect the Pines fro...

In Episode 59, I share the extended interview I did with Qwaxw from Nuxalk Radio 91.1 FM in Bella Coola about the book Whose Land is it Anyway: A Manual for Decolonization published by the Federation to Post-Secondary Educators in 2017. This book, done in honour of the late Arthur Manuel is available as a free pdf book as well as a new audio book! Here is the to the free pdf or e-book version:http...

In Episode 58, I talk about the recent protests in Canada and the United States against police racism and violence towards Black and Indigenous peoples, set in motion by the video showing the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police officers. This episode is a synthesis of my recent publications on police racism, brutality, sexualized violence and killings of Black and Indigenous peoples and...

In Episode 57, we talk to social justice warrior Robyn Maynard who is a Black feminist writer, activist and educator. Her book Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present was published by Fernwood Publishing in 2017 is the go-to source right now to understand the context of police anti-Black racism and violence in Canada. Link to her book:https://amzn.to/3dkKlWnThe l...

In Episode 56, we talk to Desmond Cole who is well known here in Toronto and nationally as not only a stellar journalist, best selling author and multi-media broadcaster, but also a staunch advocate for social justice and condemns anti-black racism in all its forms. Here is the link to his book: The Skin We're In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power by Penguin Random House:https://amzn.to/2U0395O...

In Episode 55, we talk to Chief Joe Alphonse of the Tsilhqot'in Nation and their recent victory over Taseko Mines. He also shares an important message to native youth about what it means to be a warrior. Here is the link to the Tsilhqot'in National Government website:http://www.tsilhqotin.ca/Here is their press release about their recent court victory against Taseko Mines: http://www.tsilhqotin.ca...

In Episode 54, we get to hear from native warrior Rueben George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation in what is now known as British Columbia. Rueben has been a driving force behind his Nation's revitalization of language, culture and spirituality and has spent a decade trying to stop Kinder Morgan - now Trans Mountain pipeline. You don't want to miss this podcast as he is full of hope and reminds us of t...

In Episode 53, we get to talk to Beatrice HUnter - an Inuk grandmother, warrior, and land defender. Beatrice was arrested and imprisoned in a men's jail for peacefully defending her territory from the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric megaproject and concerns over methylmercury contamination. Beatrice's story is one of the most heartfelt and impactful ones I have ever heard. Please share it widely. Here...

In Episode 52, we get to talk to two of the native youth warriors from Indigenous Youth for Wet'suwet'en: Shay Lynn Sampson and Kolin Sutherland-Wilson. They occupied BC's Legislature for two weeks and helped rally thousands of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to support Wet'suwet'en calls for RCMP and Coastal Gaslink pipeline to leave Wet'suwet'en Yintah (land).This podcast is done in solida...

Episode 51 is an extended podcast interview with native warrior woman Tara Zhaabowekwe Houska, who is Anishinabe from Couchiching First Nation in Ontario, Canada but currently lives in the United States and works as a tribal attorney. She was the former adviser to Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders on Native American Affairs. Tara joins us to talk about her time on the front lines fighting agai...

In Episode 50, I talk about what to do about trolls. No, I am not talking about either the mythical, cave-dwelling beings, nor am I talking about the fuzzy, multi-coloured toys that our aunties and kookums often use to boost their luck at bingo. I am talking about social media trolls – people who purposely post controversial, hateful or racist things online in order to upset people. I will share w...

In Episode 49, we talk to native warrior, artist and author Gord Hill, who comes from the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation in BC. He is a well-known grassroots native activist and his artwork and writings have been published in various outlets including Briarpatch, Canadian Dimension magazine and Red Rising magazine. Today he talks to us about the importance of native resistance and solidarity with other soci...

In Episode 48, we get to hear from warrior woman Christi Belcourt who has been on the ground in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory supporting those engaged in Wet'suwet'en solidarity actions, as an observer, friend and support. Christi is well-known across Turtle Island as an incredible Metis artist, community based artist, environmentalist and advocate for the lands, waters and Indigenous peoples. She s...

In Episode 47, Mohawk warrior Ellen Gabriel talks to us about the importance of traditional Indigenous governing systems and laws in protecting the lands for our peoples and all living things. She shares her insights on the issues being covered in the media in relation to Wet'suwet'en Nation and the use of their traditional laws and governments to protect their lands from pipelines. Ellen has a gr...

In Episode 46, Molly Wickham of the Wet'suwet'en Nation joins us again to give us an update about what is happening in Wet'suwet'en territory and the Gidimt'en Yintah Access Camp. They fear that another RCMP invasion in imminent. Here is the link to the Gitdimt'en Yintah Access website:www.yintahaccess.com/This is the link to the Unist'ot'en Camp supporter toolkit for those who want to offer suppo...

In Episode 45, I talk about how real reconciliation with First Nations should be based on our original treaty relationship that was based on mutual respect, mutual protection and mutual prosperity. To me, that means buying from native businesses and giving to native causes, i.e., Buy Native and Give Native All Year Long. Here is the link to my article on my Indigenous Nationhood blog on which this...

Episode 44 is part 2 of our extended interview with Dr. Cindy Blackstock jto talk about the new legislation: C-92 Indigenous child and family legislation intended to address what Canada called a "humanitarian crisis" of First Nations children in foster care. Last week, in Episode 43, she talked to us about the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) order directing Canada to compensate First Nations...

In Episode 43, Dr. Cindy Blackstock joined us again to talk to us about the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) case which she launched to end racial discrimination against First Nations children in care – and won! Recently, the CHRT made an order directing Canada to compensate First Nations children in foster care for racial discrimination by the government. The government is now trying to quas...

In Episode 42, we get to hear from native woman warrior, Molly Wickham of the Wet'sewet'en Nation in what is now known as British Columbia. She speaks to us about the situation on her territory and why it is so important that the clans of her Nation occupy their territory and defend it from pipelines. She talks about Gitdimt'en Yintah Access and also the occupation at Unist'ot'en. As promised in t...

In Episode 41, Today, I will be talking to you about the 5 core findings from the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, Its Causes and Consequences report on violence against Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada. But it got very little media attention and no action from federal or provincial governments. Make sure you listen to the whole podcast because at the end, I share w...

In Episode 40, I share an address that I gave at a Mi'kmaw Nationhood gathering in PEI. It is about Mi'kmaw sovereignty and nationhood and what it means for all our citizens. Whether we call it sovereignty, nationhood, peoplehood, self-determination or self-governance, Mi'kmaw nationhood refers to our strength and power as a collective with our own defined and defended territories. We need to iden...

In Episode 39, I provide a detailed overview, analysis and commentary of the federal party leaders' election platforms and what they offer - or don't offer - Indigenous peoples. It includes the platforms for Liberals, Greens, NDP and Conservatives. This podcast was based in part on an article I wrote for Canadian Dimension Magazine that was also released today:https://canadiandimension.com/article...

In Episode 38, we speak to lawyer Alisa Lombard who is currently working on a class action suit in relation to the forced and coerced sterilizations of Indigenous women in Canada. She is a partner with the law firm Semaganis, Worme, Lombard and the link to their website is below:https://www.swllegal.ca/If you would like more information about the issue of genocide against Indigenous women and girl...

In Episode 37, we get to hear from native warrior, Lenard Monkman. Lenard is Anishinaabe and the co-founder of Red Rising Magazine - an Indigenous magazine by and for Indigenous peoples. He has also been an associate producer with CBC Indigenous for more than 3 years now. He's also a community builder - he works hard to help urban Indigenous peoples stay connected to one another and their cultures...