Our Medicine Stories: Recent Episodes
Indigenous Lotus
"Our Medicine Stories" provides space for guests to share their stories and forms of medicine practiced by elders, youth and those throughout our communities, offering wellness tips, self-care practices, & DIY's that could be integrated into your own life and journey.
This episode of Our Medicine Stories Podcast is a good one! Today we have guest, Totsyana Peek, on the show to speak on what Power means as medicine. Totsyana utilizes her unique experience as a mixed person, witnessing loved ones experience addiction, her take on substances, and expecting mother to speak to us about what it truly means to be in your power.
Marissa and Totsyana talk about their inter-relatedness and their time first meeting, the medicine of grandmothers, and reconnecting to her roots as she prepares to bring her own child into the world.
This episode touches on what it means to have self accountability in relationship, the importance of understanding yourself, and utilizing preventative wellness as a standard for our lives.
There is so much goodness in this chat!
To work with Totsyana connect with her on Instagram:
@totsyanaaaaa
@talkswithtots
In this episode Marissa and Daniel go into what it looks like to contribute to the ancestral ways of storytelling in a modern approach. Daniel tells us about his show, "The Conversation" and the ways in which he is able to capture voices of the Indigenous world as well as preserve and teach the Nimíipúu language. Since recording this conversation Daniel has recently started another vocal venture, Brown Sound podcast.
Daniel Spaulding is the KIYE FM Radio Coordinator and Host of “The Conversation” radio program. The program is produced through KIYE in the heart of the Nimíipúu homeland. KIYE is owned and operated by the Nez Perce Tribe. The vision of this show is to uplift and amplify Indigenous voices through media and to inspire and bring awareness to Indigenous issues throughout the world. The Host, Daniel Spaulding is of the Nimíipúu Nation and is also co-hosts the Brown Sound podcast, a podcast hosted by two brown best amigos talking about anything and everything from a Latino and Indigenous Perspective.
You can find Daniel on Instagram @danielspaulding_, @theconversationwithdaniel, and @brownsoundpodcast
In this episode of Our Medicine Stories we speak with Brook LaFloe, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa,is an educator and entrepreneur with passion for teaching, revitalizing culture, and facilitating the growth of local Indigenous economies. Brook was born into the Eagle clan and descends from the Bear clan.
Her academic background includes a Tulane University Bachelors of Science in Neuroscience and Anthropology, a Loyola University of Maryland Master’s in Education and 2 Association Montessori International (AMI) diplomas in Assistants to infancy (birth-3 years) and Primary (3-6 years).
In this conversation Marissa and Brook talk about their experiences of being raised by educators and Matriarchal lineages. Brook shares why she believes children are medicine and what has lead her down this path of service. She gives a brief introduction to what Montessori is and how she and her mother have taken Maria Montessori’s practices and adapted them for their community.
Brook is currently fundraising for her collective social enterprise, Niniijaanis One of Ones, to fund a mobile Montessori classroom she is calling her “Niniiijanis War Pony.”
To donate, follow the link here:
https://ifundwomen.com/projects/niniijaanis-war-pony
Brook and Niniiijanis One of Ones is up to some beautiful work in Indian Country. This is a great one for any mother, auntie, teacher, grandma, and of the like. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on this wonderful conversation.
To work with Brook LaFloe and Niniijanis One of Ones, reach out at:
https://niniijaanis1of1s.com/
brook.lafloe@gmail.com
Want to ask a question on a future episode or have a suggested medicine story you would like for us to talk about? Email ourmedicinestories@gmail.com!
You can also share your medicine story with us on social media and we’ll share it! Be sure to include your name and tribal affiliation titling your story “_______ is Medicine”
Find us @ourmedicinestories on Instagram and Facebook.
Links:
ourmedicinestories@gmail.com
In this episode of Our Medicine Stories we speak with Linda Eagle Speaker, an enrolled member of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Southern Alberta Canada, Kainai and Blackfeet Tribes. Her Traditional Given name is Holy Medicine Shining Woman, which holds the story and knowledge of being a seventh generation Blackfeet Ceremonial Herbalist on her mothers side.
Linda is a fully trained certified faculty member of The Center for Mind-Body Medicine, located in Washington D.C. She is recently retired after 15.5 years with the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center where she held many roles as Family Assessment, ICWA Collaborative Coordinator, Director Sacred Journey Programs, and lastly Agency Elder in Residence. Linda is continuing her work in the field of Mind-Body Medicine with American Indian agencies and communities.
In this intimate conversation, Marissa and Linda talk about:
- Her work with plant medicines
- The hope that she has for young people.
- Alcoholism and how it impacts our spirit
- Linda’s perspective on life
- Being a survivor of the Canadian Residential School System
To work with Linda Eagle Speaker reach out at:
leaglespeaker65@gmail.com
In this episode of the Our Medicine Stories Podcast we are speaking with Donell Barlow, she is Yurok and an enrolled member of the Ottawa tribe, Otter clan. She currently resides in Spokane, WA working with Native youth, families, and communities as a certified Holistic Health Coach and Yoga teacher. Her deep passion for working with Native Youth utilizing traditional foods as medicine has been at the forefront for most of her work. Donell is the author of three books from three different genres. In 2018, she released, Medicine Tracks-A Memoir; in 2019, she illustrated and wrote her first children’s book, Bigfoot and Lightning Bug. In 2020, Donell released Words Have No Meaning- a book of poetry and illustrations.
Marissa and Donell discuss how journaling has been her form of medicine throughout her life and how it led her to writing Medicine Tracks - A Memoir, plus how her writing process has changed since becoming a mother. Donell dives into her experience of pregnancy and postpartum and how important it is for education to be given to expecting mothers. She shares with us why she utilizes journaling when she works with health coach clients, her work with Native youth and families, and so much more.
Enjoy and let us know what you think!
To work with Donell:
Website: https://www.donellbarlow.com/
Want to ask a question on a future episode or have a suggested medicine story you would like for us to talk about? Email ourmedicinestories@gmail.com!
You can also share your medicine story with us on social media and we’ll share it! Be sure to include your name and tribal affiliation titling your story “... is Medicine” Find us @ourmedicinestories on Instagram and Facebook.
Kola Shippentower-Thompson is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. She is the Director of the Wisawca Project and co-founder of Enough Iz Enough, a non-profit organization working together for change, better communication, and community involvement.