Warrior Life

In Episode 36, we talk to Lynn Gehl about her journey suing Canada and winning for their colonial Indian registration policy known as unknown or unstated paternity which serves to deny Indian status to thousands of children of First Nation women. Here is the link to her website where you can check out her two books and read more about this issue and her journey:https://www.lynngehl.comI have also...

In episode 35, we get to talk to Cora Morgan, the First Nations Family Advocate in Manitoba. Her role has been to provide support and advocacy for First Nations children in care and their families. her organization works to address the racism deeply embedded in the child welfare system - a root cause of genocide of Indigenous peoples. Here is the link to their website for more information:http://f...

In Episode 34, I have the permission to share with you my interview on Let's Talk Native with John Kane show from New York. He and I and Shawnee Rice talked about genocide in Canada and murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls. This interview was just an excerpt from his much longer show. Here is the link to his whole show on August 1, 2019:https://soundcloud.com/john-kane-11/lets-talk-8011...

Episode 33, is based on an article I wrote for Canadian Dimension Magazine back in April about Canada’s so-called “rule of law” invasions of our territories. Specially, we are talking about the RCMP invasion of Wet’suwet’en Nation territory back in January 2019.This is an especially important incident because it can and will happen again. The bitterly ironic thing about this incident is that the R...

In Episode 32, we get to hear from a real warrior and trailblazing Indigenous actress Tantoo Cardinal. Tantoo is known as "the most widely recognized native actress of her generation" with no wonder. She has appeared in over 100 movies and television programs! Most of you will recognize her from movies like Dances with Wolves, Black Robe, Legends of the Fall and most recently where she holds the l...

In Episode 31, I keep the focus on the national crisis of genocide against Indigenous women and girls. To my mind, it is important to make this THE election issue amongst all political parties. Indigenous women and girls continue to be abused, trafficked, disappeared and murdered and Canada must act to end the violence. Here is the link to the Final Report of the National Inquiry:www.mmiwg-ffada.c...

In Episode 30, I get to talk to David Wilkins, a native scholar and author of the book Dismembered: Native Disenrollment and the Battle for Human Rights, which he co-wrote with Shelly Wilkins. He has extensive experience researching, teaching and working in Native American studies and shares his research with us on the devastation caused by tribal disenrollments. You don't want to miss his powerfu...

In Episode 29, Mohawk warrior Ellen Gabriel talks to us about the importance of protecting Kanehsatà:ke Mohawk Territory - from the "Oka stand-off in 1990" to the current land issues in the media this week. 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 from the expansion of a 9 hole golf...

In Episode 28, we get to hear from Turtle Island's Kitchen Warrior himself, Chef David Wolfman! Chef Wolfman shares with us the importance of his native culture in his cooking and what he learned from his Mom about the importance of story telling. Here is the link to his profile on his website where you can link to some of the past episodes of his show Cooking with the Wolfman:http://www.cookingwi...

In Episode 27, we get to hear from Gabe Galanda, who is an Indigenous human rights lawyer and member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes of California. He talks about the devastating impacts of tribal disenrollment on individuals removed from their tribes based on arbitrary criteria like blood quantum. Here is the link to his profile on his law firm's website Galanda Broadman, where you can access s...

In Episode 26, we get to hear from Dr. Veldon Coburn, an Anishinabe scholar and professor at the University of Ottawa about his doctoral research on native identity and belonging and the ways in which colonization has impacted our individual and collective identities. As promised, here are some of the links to his work:His doctoral thesis:https://qspace.library.queensu.ca/handle/1974/26197His late...

In Episode 25, we get to talk to Dr. Taiaiake Alfred, a Mohawk scholar, public speaker and activist about his work promoting native sovereignty, autonomy and resistance. He shares his views about inspiring the next generation of warriors to keep up the fight to protect our lands, our autonomy and our identities. (Picture supplied by Taiaiake Alfred and used with his express permission)As promised,...

Episode 24 is about the ongoing issue of so-called cannabis legalization in the context of First Nation laws, powers, practices and rights. While many First Nations are incarcerated over possession of cannabis, former police officers and Liberal politicians stand to make millions starting their own companies. Here is the link to the article that I wrote for The Lawyer's Daily that I based this pod...

Episode 23 drops just in time for National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada. In this episode, I talk to one of the Commissioners for the National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls - warrior woman Michele Audette. She talks about her experience with the inquiry and makes a call to all Canadians to do their part to help end genocide in Canada against Indigenous women and g...

In Episode 22, I talk about the direct link between the genocide of Indigenous women and girls and the ecocide of the planet and what we need to do to stop it. Warning: This podcast talks about very difficult issues, including sexualized violence which may be upsetting or triggering to those with similar lived experiences.(pic from Google Images & I added the text)Note: The information contained i...

In Episode 21, I talk about the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls. I talk specifically about their finding that Canada is guilty of genocide in relation to the high numerous of Indigenous women and girls that are murdered or disappeared. Warning: This podcast talks about very difficult issues, including sexualized violence which may be upsett...

In Episode 19 of Warrior Life, I talk about the link between gun violence and the rise of white hate groups like white nationalists, supremacists and other extremist groups. Hate groups represent a public safety threat in Canada, especially for Indigenous peoples and women in particular. First Nations need to be part of the decision-making about gun control so we can protect our people from those...

Episode 18 is about reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in universities, colleges and training institutes, specifically, what does NOT count as reconciliation. We have to move beyond land acknowledgments and celebrations and move into substantive changes - those that upend the status quo of dispossession and the university's role in the silencing of native voices. Here is a link to the blog upo...

In Part 2 of my interview with warrior woman Kanahus Freedom Manuel, she shares with us the importance of defending native lands and waters from the destruction of the extractive industry. She also acknowledges all the warriors all over Turtle Island doing this work for the benefit of all of us. They do this work at great risk to their own personal safety and freedom. Below is a link to the Tiny H...

In this episode of Warrior Life, I get to talk to warrior woman Kanahus Freedom Manuel, daughter of the late Arthur Manuel - a well-known warrior all over Canada. Kanahus shares with us her background, why her work is important, the Warrior Society and how she is raising her children to be the next generation of warriors. Below is a link to some articles on Kanahus and some of her land defence wor...

In this podcast, I talk to my friend, brother and super warrior - Niigaan Sinclair. He is a columnist for the Winnipeg Free Press and writes primarily about issues impacting First Nations in Winnipeg and Manitoba. He talked to me about how important it is to real reconciliation, that we have First Nation voices represented in the media. Here are some links to some of the articles we referred to in...

This episode is Part 3 of this 3 part interview, with warrior woman - Dr. Cindy Blackstock. We talk about her advocacy on behalf of First Nations children in care and how much more needs to be done so that our children don't lose out on their childhoods. For more information about what you can do to help, please check the First Nation Child and Family Caring Society website and their '& Free Ways...

This episode is Part 2 of this 3 part interview, with warrior woman - Dr. Cindy Blackstock. We talk about her advocacy on behalf of First Nations children in care and how much more needs to be done so that our children don't lose out on their childhoods. For more information about what you can do to help, please check the First Nation Child and Family Caring Society website and their '& Free Ways...

In Part I of this 3 part interview, I had the honour of chatting with one of my all-time heroes and women warriors - Dr. Cindy Blackstock! We talk about her advocacy on behalf of First Nations children in care and how much more needs to be done so that our children don't lose out on their childhoods. For more information about what you can do to help, please check the First Nation Child and Family...

In Episode 11, we talk about a new wave of native dispossession - the appropriation of native identities by "White settlers". Although this isn't new, it has the potential to do great harm to our families, communities and Nations. This show was based on an article I wrote for Canadian Dimension magazine and can be found at this link: https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/appropriated-identit...