Teachings In The Air: Recent Episodes
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Teachings In The Air is a brand new Indigenous health and wellness podcast hosted by Elder Gerry Oldman!
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"It brings me such pleasure and honor to meet people that say 'I listen to your podcast and it helped me.' Cause that’s what the intention is, to help people, to motivate and inspire. Thank you." – Saa Hiil Thut (Gerry Oldman)Welcome back for Episode 8 of Season 7 titled #InnerPeaceThis season finale episode is titled “Road Man”Hello Friends and Relatives. Welcome back to Teachings in the Air! This is the last episode of Inner Peace, season 7. This episode is called Road Man, and host Gerry Oldman shares stories of how he started doing ceremony and facilitating for Indigenous communities across Turtle Island. Sharing his experiences learning and growing from not knowing what to do for workshops, all the way to his travels around to small and big communities, learning from elders, friends, and family all along the way. Thank you for joining Saa Hiil Thut aka Gerry Oldman on Teachings in the Air Podcast.
“Soul food. Indigenous soul food is Good food. It’s food to keep our children strong in mind, body, and spirit.” – Gerry OldmanGreetings friends and relatives!Welcome back to episode 7 of Season 7 which is called #InnerPeaceThis episode is titled “Food for the Soul”Today’s episode of TIA has host Saa Hiil Thut(Gerry Oldman) sharing about the importance of indigenous soul food and food nourishment. Gerry shares his earliest memories of food in his life, as well as his first A&W burger. He wants to inspire and motivate others about what we put into our bodies. The importance it has on our day-to-day life, and on our mind, bodies, and spirits. Gerry shares how much he values traditional foods, and remembering how his elders would enjoy getting soul food with tears in their eyes. It’s about doing our best, or the next best thing, and committing to taking care of ourselves. Love put into food is love put into our bodies, which helps with our #InnerPeace
Greetings Friends and Relatives!Welcome back to TIA with Gerry Oldman aka Saa Hiil ThutThis week’s episode is titled “Podcast about Podcasting”This is episode 6 of season 7 which is titled #InnerPeaceHello friends and relatives, this episode is Gerry sharing his experience with going into the world of podcasts! Featuring his guests/nephews/podcast crew members Jakob Knudsen and Jordan Robinson. All the way from his first hearing about the word podcast, to how he approaches his own podcasting. Gerry makes sure he approaches everything with intention, a message to deliver to the people. Gerry talks about what podcasting means to him as he shares discussion with his producers talking about their own stories finding podcasting and working with Uncle Gerry on Teachings in the Air!
“As a friendly suggestion, that we decolonize by not giving that word power anymore, and that we put it in our mind that we’re going to become solution focused from the problems that were caused by colonization” – Saa Hiil Thut (Gerry Oldman)Hello Friends & Relatives and welcome back to another episode of Teachings in the Air!This episode is titled “Colonization: A Thief of Inner Peace”We are in season 7 of TIA titled #InnerPeaceWelcome back to another episode of TIA, where Gerry shares his thoughts on his experiences with decolonization. After being asked many times by different groups to talk about his views on the subject, Gerry has had lots of time to develop his own views to express. In today’s episode. Gerry shares his first hearing of the term, and his personal encounters with learning, experiences, and talking about colonization for many years. It has been a long journey with the subject, and Gerry shares suggestions of being solution focused, putting things down that aren’t yours to carry.
“You teach about commitment, and be consistent with that commitment, and that person will appreciate you” – Gerry OldmanGreetings to all our Friends and Relatives!Welcome back to Season 7 of Teachings in the Air, which is titled #InnerPeaceThis episode is titled “The Babies & Children Are Crying”This episode is about aggression and how it can effect our own and other’s lives around us. Gerry talks about the impacts of aggression that blinded the beauty of the world in his life. He shares about Love and how the commitment that is Love can be taught. Teaching, don't scold. We heal, don’t punish. Gerry hopes to get these teachings across communities, families, friends, individuals, etc. for the babies & children who are being affected by aggression and the loss of #InnerPeace.
“Put that energy out into the universe and one of the healers or teachers will feel it, and they’ll end up being with you” – Gerry OldmanGreetings Friends & Relatives!Welcome back to Episode 3 of Season 7 titled #InnerPeaceThis week’s episode is titled “Going Home”Hello and welcome back to another episode of Teachings in the Air with your host Gerry Oldman AKA Saa Hiil Thut. This week’s episode is Going Home, which Gerry talks about getting teachings from your elders, family, community, etc. He shares his own experience with being shy at first and finding his own way music, teachings, and stories. Letting everyone know it’s okay, you’re not alone, these teachings are for us, you just have to have approach finding them in the right way. Sometimes it’s bringing gifts to elders, or helping others out, participating in events or ceremony, and sometimes it’s just as easy as asking or being close.
Hello Friends & Relatives!This is a special episode release from TIA Live!Welcome back for another episode of Teachings in the Air. This week’s episode is a special recording from our TIA Live event from Victoria, BC in December 2023. Gerry hosted a fantastic gathering in the end of '23 where he shared stories and thoughts for the end of Season 6 as well as record a podcast! This special episode is the podcast recording from the live event where Gerry pulled guests from the crowd Stephanie Nelson, Mike Glendale, and Lori Pruce to share their thoughts on healing with Gerry and share their messages about TIA & taking care of yourself and your community.
Welcome back friends & relatives to Episode 2 in Season 7 of Teachings in the Air with host Gerry Oldman.This week’s episode is titled “Fire Water: The Thief of Inner Peace” Featuring guest Natalee Dennis, who is a Manager at BC Emergency Health Services. In this episode Gerry talks about the impacts that Fire Water(alcohol) had on his own life and the Indigenous community. Gerry talks about encounters with first seeing alcohol appearing in his youth, and the stories shared with him about the fire waters first appearances on the reservations. Gerry then holds conversation with Natalee Dennis, from Ahousaht and Hesquiaht first nations, about her sobriety and teachings around fire water.
Hello friends and relatives, welcome back to a new season of Teachings in the Air!We are starting our 7th season titled “Inner Peace”TIA host Gerry Oldman is back and ready to share more teachings, these podcasts will be covering themes around inner peace, which is a subject Gerry reflected on when thinking about himself helping others. Episode 1 is the introduction to Inner Peace, and Gerry shares a lot about “inner peace thieves.” Inner peace thieves that took his inner peace, and shares moments where he was able to find his own inner peace. We are excited to be back to share teachings, stories, and podcast episodes for the 7th season of Teachings in the Air.
“Let’s understand that the children are relying on us adults to do the right thing, and when we do theright thing let’s celebrate” – Gerry OldmanWelcome back to the Finale of Season 6 of Teachings in the Air!The last episode of this season is titled “Celebration”Hello Friends & Relatives, this is the last episode in the sixth season of Teachings in the Air. This episodeis a look into Gerry’s growth and finding reasons to celebrate. From the smallest to the biggest victories,it started with looking at himself and finding reasons to celebrate. Appreciation for the teachings sharedwith him to be passed onto many others, like yourself. This is the last episode of Season 6, so let uscelebrate and await the next season of TIA!Gerry announces that the upcoming Season 7 will be titled “Let the Healing Begin” to continue thehealing journey and find more guests and cover different topics related to healing our mind, body, andspirit. Thank all the friends and relatives for tuning into TIA, and continuing to share Gerry’s podcastswith anyone who could use a kind word. Walk gently and take care.
Welcome back to Teachings in the Air season 6 titled #TheHealingRoad
This week's episode of TIA is titled "Oh Canada"
Welcome friends and relatives to another episode of Teachings in the Air with host Gerry Oldman. This episode is about the impact identity had on Gerry's life. Gerry shares his experience with struggles of identity and growing up Indigenous in Canada. This episode contains an audio clip by Chief Dan George, it's a message that inspired and motivated Gerry, so he's sharing it with you.
"This series of podcasts are going to be on healing for the mind, body, and spirit. When our mind, body, and spirit is damaged or hurt we weaken and our lives can become unmanageable. Once we are in trouble mentally, physically, or spiritually we must go look for help, so we can live life to the fullest. We can and will reach our potential when we say hello to our problems and say goodbye to them with the help of healers, knowledge keepers, counsellors, and mentors. Healing is in ceremony, music, good food, counselling, meditation and positive activities. Our healing strengthens when we support others on the Healing Road" - Saa Hiil Thut (Gerry Oldman)
Welcome back to TIA Season 6 called #TheHealingRoad This week’s episode is titled “Ground Zero: Land Back”
TIA’s Gerry Oldman talks about his experience at Plymouth Rock which he called “Ground Zero.” Gerry shares his experiences and stories from a lot of his travelling. The many communities that have left Gerry with an impact, a teaching, and a story to share. We get some insights into what Gerry would love to see the entire community return to, its original state.
"This series of podcasts are going to be on healing for the mind, body, and spirit. When our mind, body, and spirit is damaged or hurt we weaken and our lives can become unmanageable. Once we are in trouble mentally, physically, or spiritually we must go look for help, so we can live life to the fullest. We can and will reach our potential when we say hello to our problems and say goodbye to them with the help of healers, knowledge keepers, counsellors, and mentors. Healing is in ceremony, music, good food, counselling, meditation and positive activities. Our healing strengthens when we support others on the Healing Road" - Saa Hiil Thut (Gerry Oldman)
Welcome back to TIA Season 6 #TheHealingRoad This week’s episode is titled “The Benefits of Touch Therapy”
This week Gerry share’s the space with guests Susan Dupuis, and Aaron Strong. They are massage therapists sharing about their stories of how they got into touch therapy. Gerry shares about the tension his body used to carry throughout his life, the muscle and back problems that plagued him until he decided to go to a massage therapist. They share a great discussion about the importance of taking care of your physical body alongside the mind and spirit.
"This series of podcasts are going to be on healing for the mind, body, and spirit. When our mind, body, and spirit is damaged or hurt we weaken and our lives can become unmanageable. Once we are in trouble mentally, physically, or spiritually we must go look for help, so we can live life to the fullest. We can and will reach our potential when we say hello to our problems and say goodbye to them with the help of healers, knowledge keepers, counsellors, and mentors. Healing is in ceremony, music, good food, counselling, meditation and positive activities. Our healing strengthens when we support others on the Healing Road." - Saa Hiil Thut (Gerry Oldman)
Welcome back to this week’s episode of TIA!
This is episode 8 of season 6 which is titled #TheHealingRoad This is titled “Resilience & Perseverance”
Gerry reflects on a trip he took to South Africa in 2022, learning about, and experiencing, the land that one of his role models Nelson Mandela used to walk. Gerry shares stories about his learning of history, and admiration of people who stood up to preserve a way of life, that stayed true to their messages despite the opposition. He tells stories from his trip to South Africa, and how they impacted his thinking about resilience and perseverance.
"This series of podcasts are going to be on healing for the mind, body, and spirit. When our mind, body, and spirit is damaged or hurt we weaken and our lives can become unmanageable. Once we are in trouble mentally, physically, or spiritually we must go look for help, so we can live life to the fullest. We can and will reach our potential when we say hello to our problems and say goodbye to them with the help of healers, knowledge keepers, counsellors, and mentors. Healing is in ceremony, music, good food, counselling, meditation and positive activities. Our healing strengthens when we support others on the Healing Road." - Saa Hiil Thut (Gerry Oldman)
“There’s a need, at that time and still today, for culturally relevant services. Services that our people feel comfortable with and understand”
Welcome back to the 7th episode of Season 6 titled #TheHealingRoad
This week’s episode of Teachings in the Air is called “Memory Lane”
Gerry joins us this week after a stroll through memory lane. After a recent trip to his home territory, he shares the path of memories that were sparked by this visit. Gerry tours his old home, and shares about his experiences of where he came from, the challenges of addiction and overcoming them through finding community and help however he could. Gerry talks about the importance of the cultural approach to healing and services for the indigenous community.
"This series of podcasts are going to be on healing for the mind, body, and spirit. When our mind, body, and spirit is damaged or hurt we weaken and our lives can become unmanageable. Once we are in trouble mentally, physically, or spiritually we must go look for help, so we can live life to the fullest. We can and will reach our potential when we say hello to our problems and say goodbye to them with the help of healers, knowledge keepers, counsellors, and mentors. Healing is in ceremony, music, good food, counselling, meditation and positive activities. Our healing strengthens when we support others on the Healing Road."
- Saa Hiil Thut (Gerry Oldman)
“1 by 1 we’re gonna win, and we are winning. We must keep that in our mind, what are we winning? We’re winning ourselves back” – Gerry Oldman
Welcome back to TIA, this is the 6th episode of Season 6 titled #TheHealingRoad
This episode is titled “The Lost Generations”
Welcome back friends and relatives to this week’s episode of Teachings in the Air with Gerry Oldman. Gerry shares this episode with guests Cassie Michell, Audrey Ward, and Nikki Hunter. They share their experiences of healing and what led them to help others in the community, while battling against created identities and many other challenges the community faces in the journey of healing and recovery. These amazing guests tell stories about what inspires and helps them to continue their work in the constantly changing health field.
"This series of podcasts are going to be on healing for the mind, body, and spirit. When our mind, body, and spirit is damaged or hurt we weaken and our lives can become unmanageable. Once we are in trouble mentally, physically, or spiritually we must go look for help, so we can live life to the fullest. We can and will reach our potential when we say hello to our problems and say goodbye to them with the help of healers, knowledge keepers, counsellors, and mentors. Healing is in ceremony, music, good food, counselling, meditation and positive activities. Our healing strengthens when we support others on the Healing Road."
- Saa Hiil Thut (Gerry Oldman)
“I started to free myself of that negativity. I started to change, I became hungry for healing.”
This is the 5th episode of Season 6 which is titled #TheHealingRoad
This episode is called “Free Saa Hiil Thut”
Today’s episode is an in-depth look into Gerry’s commitment to freeing yourself. Gerry talks about what it takes to maintain self and mental health in the modern world. He talks about where he comes from and who helped teach him how to free himself. He shares stories of his commitment to the path of healing, with generations of teachings and people who helped when it was needed behind him. Expressing that we all still encounter challenges and negative thoughts that aren’t our own, he hopes to share some helping words in this episode.
"This series of podcasts are going to be on healing for the mind, body, and spirit. When our mind, body, and spirit is damaged or hurt we weaken and our lives can become unmanageable. Once we are in trouble mentally, physically, or spiritually we must go look for help, so we can live life to the fullest. We can and will reach our potential when we say hello to our problems and say goodbye to them with the help of healers, knowledge keepers, counsellors, and mentors. Healing is in ceremony, music, good food, counselling, meditation and positive activities. Our healing strengthens when we support others on the Healing Road."
- Saa Hiil Thut (Gerry Oldman)
Episode 4 of Season 6 of TIA titled #TheHealingRoadThis weeks episode features guests from the Strawberry Medicine Counselling.Gerry shares the space with Stephanie Erickson, Sara French, and Vanessa Carpenter. They are the hard workers behind Strawberry Medicine Counselling. Gerry and guests shares their personal experiences and approaches to helping anyone facing challenges. From Strawberry Medicine's website (strawberrymedicine.com):"It was with this knowledge that I did a ceremony on the Flower Full Moon to plant a strawberry patch for healing. The ceremony of creating a strawberry garden was blessed with prayers for anyone who eats from it to grow stronger in their heart.It is with this understanding that I bring this medicine to the people. My motivation is to continue to serve those in need of connection and balance."
"There's no way around it, no way over it, no way under it. I have to walk straight through that sacred fire of healing" - Sam AlecWelcome back to Season 6 of TIA! This season is titled #TheHealingRoadEpisode 3 of The Healing Road is called "Returning to Circle 2"This weeks episode sees a special returning guest(back from Season 4 of TIA) Sam Alec.Gerry shares the space again with previous guest Sam Alec in RTC2, where they get an updated conversation about their circles and the importance of reaching out to your circles in times of difficulty, as well as putting back into your circles what you take out. They pick up since the last episode recordedback in 2020 after experiencing pandemic, loss, and encountering moments of struggle as time goes on. "This series of podcasts are going to be on healing for the mind, body, and spirit. When ourmind, body, and spirit is damaged or hurt we weaken and our lives can become unmanageable.Once we are in trouble mentally, physically, or spiritually we must go look for help, so we canlive life to the fullest. We can and will reach our potential when we say hello to our problemsand say goodbye to them with the help of healers, knowledge keepers, counsellors, andmentors. Healing is in ceremony, music, good food, counselling, meditation and positiveactivities. Our healing strengthens when we support others on the Healing Road."- Saa Hiil Thut (Gerry Oldman)
This part 2 of 2 episode special is a release from the Teachings in the Air season 6 launch event which was held live in Vancouver, BC. In this special recorded from the live event, Gerry shares a presentation about Healing with the audience, leading into the theme of season 6 The Healing Road. Gerry had witnesses on stage to listen to his presentation and absorb some teachings. Gerry shares about his own healing journey, and how much work it takes to free yourself from negativity.Gerry had witnesses/guests for this part of the show, and they are Shane Pointe, Aaron Nelson Moody, Rupert Richardson, and Julie Seal.
“I know there’s good medicine, and there’s a healing road that’s never gone away” - GerryThis part 1 of 2 episode special is a release from the Teachings in the Air season 6 launch event which was held live in Vancouver, BC. In this special recorded from the live event, Gerry shares a presentation about Healing with the audience, leading into the theme of season 6 The Healing Road. Gerry had witnesses on stage to listen to his presentation and absorb some teachings. Gerry shares about his own healing journey, and how much work it takes to free yourself from negativity. The 2nd part of this special will feature Gerry’s guests/witnesses to discuss healing and what it means to them even further.
"When we decide to change, that's when the healing begins for us.." -Gerry OldmanSeason 6 of Teachings in the Air is titled "The Healing Road"Episode 2 is titled "I Can Change My Mind"In today's episode of TIA, host Gerry Oldman shares his experiences with changing from staying stuck in old feelings, thoughts, and negativity.With things that have been projected towards him at a young age that have latched on, adding to the weight of everyday life.This is Gerry's journey with forgiveness and learning how he has the ability to change his mind, as well as help others to change theirs Gerry talks about putting down things that we shouldn't be carrying around with us every day, negativity that isn't ours to carry.Because, each day we wake up, we can change our minds!
Welcome back to Teachings in the Air, and join us as we go into our 6th season titled "The Healing Road"The first episode is titled "Let the Healing Begin" and host Gerry shared some words about this upcoming season:"This series of podcasts are going to be on healing for the mind, body, and spirit. When ourmind, body, and spirit is damaged or hurt we weaken and our lives can become unmanageable.Once we are in trouble mentally, physically, or spiritually we must go look for help, so we canlive life to the fullest. We can and will reach our potential when we say hello to our problemsand say goodbye to them with the help of healers, knowledge keepers, counsellors, andmentors. Healing is in ceremony, music, good food, counselling, meditation and positiveactivities. Our healing strengthens when we support others on the Healing Road."- Saa Hiil Thut (Gerry Oldman)Let The Healing Begin is an introduction to our new season The Healing Road. Gerry shares his definition of Healing with us.Then, shares personal stories of his healing journey, from looking at the earliest wounds, up to the current day.The Healing Road is a constant and never-ending path, but through his experiences and teachings, Gerry echoes what hehas picked up along the way.
“I look forward to working on Let the Healing Begin” – Gerry Oldman
This is the finale episode of Season 5 of Teachings in the Air titled “The Healing Road”
Season 5 of TIA titled “Strong Mind, Body, Spirit, & Heart” has come to a close, and host Gerry shares his stories and experiences with the latest season, reflecting on how he wants to remain on the Healing Road. Gerry goes in depth about his many journeys in life, with healing and wellness being a constant, even in the most difficult times. Gerry & the TIA team express major appreciation for Season 5’s amazing guests who shared their beautiful teachings and gifts with everyone.
“We are the ones that our ancestors have been waiting for” – Rose Melnyk
This episode is a re-recording due to audio issues with the original, our apologies go out to the Indigenous nurses who took the time to share their stories & experiences with Gerry.
This weeks episode is titled “Celebrating Indigenous Nurses” This is a very special episode for Gerry, as he shared the space with Indigenous nurses Rose Melnyk, Tamara Bob, Lisa Bouroque Bearskin, and Cassie Michell Bader. These Indigenous medical workers brought amazing inspiration to the podcast! They shared about difficulties working their way through school & their current professions, as well great insights to how they overcame while holding onto their Indigenous teachings in a modern work field.
“Movement is Medicine, Motion is Lotion”
Teachings in the air is in its 5th season of #StrongMindBodySpiritHeart
In this episode, Gerry Oldman shares the space with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity, & Recreation Council (ISPARC). Gerry shares personal stories and experiences including health, physical activity, and sports with his guests Richard Peter, Amanda de Faye, Dwayne Roberts, and Daniel Young-Mercer. ISPARC started in 2007 in hopes to improve the health & wellbeing of BC’s Indigenous people. Now, a provincial organization with the purpose of improving the health of BC Indigenous people’s by encouraging physical activity in individuals, families, and communities.
“I knew that I had to personally change to be effective, I had to free myself…& believe in change”- Gerry Oleman
Welcome to the 13th episode in Season 5 of Teachings in the Air. This week’s episode is titled “Absolute Fairness for All” Gerry shares the space with San’yas team members Kelly Pollock, Arezou Soltani, and Robin Smoker-Peters. Gerry shares a conversation with the team about systemic racism in Canada and help create understanding & inspire people to carry on. The San’yas team & Gerry share the work they’re doing in order to help fight back against racism through their facilitation work, personal experiences, and motivations.
Here's another sneak peek at episode one of Teaching in the Air Season 5. After hearing these words we ask: who has inspired you in your journey to healing and wellness? 🙌✨ Like what you're hearing? You can listen to this episode and many more on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Soundcloud. While you're there, give us a follow so you don't miss our next upload! 🌿🧡
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“I just have to say that to our relatives out there, Come Home, fight to get back” – Aaron Nelson-Moody
This week’s episode of TIA is titled “The Beauty Way.” Gerry shares the space with Indigenous artists Splash (Aaron Nelson-Moody), Nashmenetanaht (Atheana Picha), and Sydney Pickering to share a discussion about their journeys to becoming Indigenous artists in the modern day. Looking back at how art and culture were taken away from the communities and where it is today in reclaiming it. Also a deeper look into their personal philosophies, inspirations, and teachings they’d like to share with the community.
SURVEY LINK IS IN THE BIO Teachings in the Air wants to hear from you! Your feedback helps us shape the content we bring to you each episode in this season, as well as seasons to come. By filling out our survey and sharing with us how Teachings in the Air has impacted you, you can be entered to win an iPad Air! #StrongMindBodySpiritHeart
“I heard them sing with hand drums, and I watched them. I could see them identify totally as Indigenous. Just by being in contact with culture.” – Gerry Oldman
This week’s episode of Teachings in the Air is titled “Free Yourself” as Gerry shares the space with his guests Lori Pruce (Director of Indigenous Programs & Relationships) and James Knighton (Indigenous Programs & Relationships Analyst) of BC Corrections. This episode is a deep look into our history in this country in regard to corrections and what is being done to help the overrepresented Indigenous community in the prison system of Canada. Gerry shares personal stories and history with Lori & James about the corrections institutions and the work going into helping and reaching the community, no matter where they are.
Season 5 of Teachings in the Air is about #StrongMindBodySpiritHeart
“We were Very healthy, so let’s go home to that…being healthy”
This week’s episode of Teachings in the Air is titled “Strong Spirits Living in a Diabetes World” Gerry Oldman shares the space with members of the Board of Directors & Staff of the National Indigenous Diabetes Association (NIDA). We had the honor of hosting NIDA board members Margaretta James, Mary Beaucage, and Mike Alexander for a personal story sharing of living with Diabetes and what inspires, helps, and encourages them in their daily lives as board members of NIDA, and also living every day with diabetes themselves. Gerry has spent a long time discussing prominent issues in the community, and he is very thankful to have guests who are at the front of informing about Diabetes and sharing their own stories.
“I just invite you to look around your medicines and pick them up and Use them” – Gerry Oldman
Welcome back to Season 5 of Teachings In The Air #StrongMindBodySpiritHeart
Today’s episode is titled 24/7. Gerry shares some personal moments about difficult times. Gerry spends time reminding himself of the gifts he has when feeling burdensome. Trying to keep fighting when it feels like everything is stacked against you, he hopes to share encouragement with you. Sharing a discussion of being down and how he found his own ways to overcome through having elders and others available to talk to in down times, movement and exercise helping the body and mind, teachings he has found which he still uses to this day!
“What I have is my experience…and that’s what I’m going to share with you” – Gerry Oldman
This week’s episode of Teachings in the Air is a special. Gerry Oldman was called on by the faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of British Columbia (UBC) to do a presentation on substance abuse disorder. Gerry shares a firsthand experience with substance abuse, stories, teachings, and fallbacks that are all involved with the long healing journey. This presentation was for UBC, and Gerry shares some careful and sincere words because he was Answering the Call.
“Let it come to an end, don’t carry that negativity, put it down.” – Gerry Oldman
Season 5 continues the theme of Strong #MindBodySpiritHeart. Today's episode is titled “Tsilkst” which normally means 5, or the end. This episode is a personal journey of Gerry and how he helped strengthen his mind. Putting down things that weigh on our whole being like negativity, the past, and learning to let go, Free Yourself! Gerry shares teachings he’s picked up from different people along his path, and continued to carry with him. He also reassures us that freeing yourself and your mind is not easy, it took many years and much effort, but reinforces that is so worth it.
“The power of our energy and spirit is so incredible, vast, and wonderful” – Jeremy Ratt
This week’s episode of Teachings in the Air, Gerry shares space with special guest Jeremy Ratt, host of the CBC podcast PIECES. A podcast dedicated to the journey of self discovery, understanding his roots, and identity. The episode of TIA titled “Breaking the Identity Trap” and is a conversation about Indigenous identity, and all the different pieces that form our own personal identities. Sharing a space where they discuss their personal journeys to finding identity, created identities, and the marks left behind from a bad history of projected messages put onto the community.
In this episode, Gerry discusses anti-Indigenous racism, it's impacts, and strategies for moving through a world steeped with it's share of racist people. Gerry shares his thoughts on pathways towards healing for Indigenous peoples and racists alike.
“So, what’s our destination? It’s a bright future” - Gerry Oldman
Content Note: Teachings In The Air periodically introduces content that may impact the wellbeing of individuals who have experienced corresponding traumas in their own lives. Such individuals are encouraged to have necessary supports (such as Elders, counsellors, your doctor or therapist or a trusted friend or relative) accessible in the event that one's mental health is impacted. Such content is not engaged with lightly; however, our aim is to openly acknowledge and accurately illustrate the oftentimes abnormal history of Indigenous peoples. Because as Gerry says "You can't say goodbye to your problems until you say hello to them.”
StrongHeartMindBodySpirit
Episode 5 of Teachings in the Air Season 5 is titled “Shut Up and Paddle.”
Shut Up and Paddle is a common saying on a Canoe Journey, pushing canoe paddlers to keep paddling and not lose focus or give up, and to keep working together. This long-awaited personal episode from host Gerry Oldman shares some of his own stories and experiences explaining the mentality behind the turn-of-phrase "shut up and paddle." Gerry shares very honestly, and at times, difficult stories and experiences about perseverance and not remaining enveloped in negativity. Invaluable and beautiful teachings have been passed through many generations to help keep us true to these Indigenous ways. Gerry shares a message of encouragement to continue on: don’t give up on yourselves or each other.
“The word Health is referring to Mind, Body, and Spirit..but to achieve that, first accept my body.” – Gerry Oldman
Join us today on Teachings in the Air for another Movement is Medicine episode. Gerry Oldman hosts his guest Elijah Buffalo from the Metawewin podcast. Elijah tunes in from Paris, France to discuss health, movement, and development with Gerry. Sharing personal stories of their growth in exercising and well-being involving their sports of choice including running and cycling. Discussions about combatting issues that plague all communities such as diabetes, heart disease, and breathing problems. The conversations surrounding these issues include first accepting your body, and then honouring your body. As Gerry has shared before, he truly believes Movement is Medicine!
“When you respect a tool, it performs for you!” - Gerry Oldman
This episode of Teachings in the Air is titled “Under the Influence” where Gerry shares space with the Trauma of Money and Decolonizing Money teams. Gerry Oldman hosts his guests Chantel Chapman and Vicky auf der Mauer in a conversation about their platform and steps for demystifying complications of money and finances.
Find our more at our website! https://www.teachingsintheair.ca/podcasts/season-5/under-the-influence
“We’re blessed that we have these gems. By gems, I mean Native communities that have held teachings of the heart, for humanity.” – Dr. Lee Brown
The 2nd episode of Season 5 is called “Witness”, Gerry Oldman shares a discussion with guest and friend Dr. Lee Brown.
Dr. Lee Brown is the former Director of the Institute of Aboriginal Health in the College of Health Disciplines, and the Co-author of “The Sacred Tree”, an educational curriculum based in Aboriginal values and Epistemology.
Gerry and Dr. Lee Brown share their teachings in conversations about the #StrongHeart. They share stories of gifts they were given in their journey to healing and attaining a #StrongHeart. The long-term effects of trauma and negativity have played roles in our communities. Dr. Lee Brown shares personal knowledge and experiences alongside Gerry in how they have seen the sequence of events that led to where we are today as Indigenous People. This episode, we also hear when #StrongHeart got added to #StrongHeartMindBodySpirit.
“That’s what I’d like to address this season, is to help us understand how our mind, our body, and our spirit can be weakened, but more importantly, how we can Strengthen it” – Gerry Oldman
Welcome back to Teachings in the Air with host Gerry Oldman and the brand new Season 5 titled “Strong Mind, Strong Body, Strong Spirit.” This is episode one of the new season, where Gerry discusses what he hopes to see the direction of this new season. Gerry shares some stories about his past, the community, teachings, and identity. Also, discussed are some of the subjects Gerry would like to address, and some of the guests he’d like to see appear on the podcast to share their stories.
Previously, we asked Gerry Oldman to write a blurb about Season 5 and this is what he said:
We have a new season for Teachings in the Air coming in October. The theme for the new season is “Strong Heart, Strong Mind, Strong Body, Strong Spirit”. The content I am creating have been influenced by the stress of COVID and the changing climate that we are living. The podcasts will reflect on how our resilient ancestors coped and dealt challenges and how we can emulate them. The guests that we are calling are an echo/reflection of our ancestor’s wellness way of life. I look forward to sharing Teachings that create solutions and that wake up the resilient spirit." - Gerry Oldman
“My guidelines to live by today are to accept my original self, not try be anybody else, but to know who I am.” - Gerry Oldman
The final episode of TIA Season 4 is "Saying Hello". Gerry’s shares his road to reconciliation and encourages us to say hello to our problems so we can say goodbye to them. The episode allows Gerry to share deep feelings, teachings surrounding Reconciliation. Gerry teaches us that seeking or giving forgiveness in the world can be a difficult task but can be done.
Kustkum'ckcuw to all for listening to Season 4 - Indigenous Is.
Teachings In The Air has collaborated with the National Indigenous Diabetes Association for Part 1 of Diabetes & Safety in Ceremony. Gerry shares space with Dr. Karen Hill M.D from Mohawk Nation and Elder Treffrey Deerfoot from the Siksika Nation and Blood Tribe of the Blackfoot Nation. Gerry, Treffrey and Karen break down what diabetes is, how it affects our bodies and how we may incorporate our traditional knowledge to overcome this modern obstacle.
This episode with National Indigenous Diabetes Awareness day on May 7th and will debut in 3 parts.
Kustkum'ckuw to our panelists and the National Indigenous Diabetes Association for this partnership.
"Whatever way you can find peace, I encourage you” – Gerry Oldman Let the Ceremony Begin! Gerry shares his personal journey and relationship to Ceremony. He says he is still on the learning path and changing as he goes. If you’re unsure about ceremony, Gerry encourages you to Let the Ceremony Begin!
“Because of retrieving my spirit, I achieved a lot of my goals."
Gerry teaches us how to commit to love and shares how he retrieved his spirit. He teaches us about commitment, love, and wellness to achieve our personal goals. This extraordinarily personal episode shares the many ways that Gerry has asked found help, positivity, and teachings that led him back to his spirit. Cuystwi! (Let’s go!)
“To me, the Uncles and Aunties, WE'RE the teachers...” – Gerry Oldman
Today’s episode is a panel recording of the Ask Aunty/Ask Uncle panel from the Cloud Connections Conference(CCC) which was hosted by the Indigenous Youth Wellness team, February 16-18. “Aunties and Uncles” is hosted by Savannah Minoose, alongside Gerry, Naomi Bob and Sarain Squakin of the IYW team. They discuss the importance of Aunties and Uncles as role models, their community position as an aunty or uncle and how vital these positions are for youth, and an entire community to help grow as one.
For more information about the Indigenous Youth Wellness Team, visit www.indigenousyouthwellness.ca
“I encourage you to embrace yourself as who YOU ARE.” – Gerry Oldman “Indigenous Is..” is the theme of the fourth season of Teachings In The Air. All My Relations is a very personal insight into all that surrounds identity and what makes you, YOU. Gerry covers subjects like ancestry, status, community, healing, growth, family and the teachings he carries with him. Gerry reminds us that the teachings are everywhere and it’s up to us to pick them up.
Today you are all Gerry Oldman and the Teachings In The Air team’s relatives. Kustkum'ckcuw
“A lot of the podcasts I do, what I hear coming from my guests is Love, and Love is a commitment.” Today’s episode of Teachings In The Air is called “Cradle to the Grave.” Gerry Oldman hosts his guests from NITEP(The Indigenous Teacher Education Program) Marny Point, Teneille Shea, Jennifer Anaquod, and Johanna Sam. NITEP began as an elementary teacher education program in 1974, in response to needs expressed by Indigenous people throughout BC for a more effective and relevant teacher education program. Gerry shares a discussion about the program that helps educate teachers and instructors on Indigenous matters including teaching methodology, testing and assessment, and curriculum. Education starts as soon as you’re born, and we continue learning our entire journeys.
NITEP shares their stories and paths that led them to where they are today educating and promoting the Indigenous ways of wellness, educating, and growing. They share the importance of not giving up on yourself. The NITEP team talk about their dreams and difficulties growing up as an Indigenous person in the education sectors, finding and building the support systems for our people.
"Laughter has opened me up and freed me, to be me.." - Gerry
Gerry teaches us that Laughter is Medicine. He shares the way humour has been an important aspect of Indigenous life and community. This episode delves into how laughing can help us by bringing joy and happiness, even the most difficult of times. Laughter is Medicine is a look into one of the many ways we can heal and unite as a people.
Today's episode of Teachings In The Air is called Healing For The Family, Gerry shares a conversation with his guests Denise Findlay and Marla Klyne Kolomaya. Healing for the family focuses on traditional and modern healing for Indigenous families. Healing is a continuous journey with many different paths - helping and building bonds with others can strengthen families, community and ourselves.
Gerry, Denise, and Marla share in-depth conversations about their paths that led them to promoting wellness in communities. They share stories of culture, tradition, older ways that may have been lost over time, that can be so vital to helping the community thrive.
“Movement is Medicine..” – Gerry Oldman
Gerry shares stories and teachings about the ways running and movement have helped him physically, mentally, and spiritually. Gerry starts at the beginning before he was actively running for healing and freedom. This episode is about Gerry's life long healing journey.
“That’s what I see resilience as, we shall bend but not break” – Gerry Oldman
In today’s episode of Teachings In The Air, Gerry hosts the Xpey’ Wellness Team: Larissa Coser, Beangka Elliot, Harlee McArthur and Marco Caffiero.
Xpey’ Wellness Team started on Vancouver Island as in-person health and wellness promoters, which currently due to the 2020 pandemic has adjusted to the digital demands of home quarantine, hosting wellness Webinars and online workshops that share traditional teachings. Some of the teachings include fitness classes, traditional medicines, Indigenous harm reduction, quitting commercial tobacco, and resiliency through physical activity.
Season 4's theme is "Indigenous Is.." and hanging onto traditions, ceremonies, and teachings is Important and Indigenous. Gerry shares his thoughts about resilience, and the new generation of resilient Indigenous peoples. He also expresses gratitude to the Xpey’ Wellness Team for combining modern and traditional techniques in their approach to promoting health wellness.
“The way that I release pain is my responsibility.” – Marilyn Jensen
In today’s episode of Teachings In The Air, Gerry Oldman and guest Marilyn Jensen share a conversation about “Lateral Kindness”. Marilyn talks about her journey leading up to her work involving lateral violence. Through Lateral Kindness and story-telling, they are trying to inform and help communities move forward, away from all forms of displaced violence and harm.
On this special episode* of Teaching In The Air, Gerry hosts a conversation with special guest Sam Alec. Their conversation reveals teachings about healing and returning to circle.
*Content Note: Teachings In The Air periodically introduces content that may impact the wellbeing of individuals who have experienced corresponding traumas in their own lives. Such individuals are encouraged to have necessary supports (such as Elders, counsellors, your doctor or therapist or a trusted friend or relative) accessible in the event that one's mental health is impacted. Such content is not engaged with lightly; however, our aim is to openly acknowledge and accurately illustrate the oftentimes abnormal history of Indigenous peoples. Because as Gerry says "You can't say goodbye to your problems until you say hello to them.”
Season 4 of Teachings in the Air premieres with Gerry sharing his vision of the new season and introducing "Indigenous Is". Indigenous Is will be a series that honours what it means to be Indigenous.
“And I realized that Gerry needs a transformation.” In this Season 3 finale episode of Teachings In The Air, Gerry talks about the influences that help shape and transform us on our paths to wellness. Heroes, Transformers, and Tricksters is about the influences we find throughout our lives, Gerry shares personal stories and stories that have been shared with him.
"We must come together. We must become one and make noise with the intention of creating change." Listen to Gerry's stories on lessons on what is happening today on this special episode of Teachings in the Air.
teachingstuesday
Ceremony at a Distance is a conversation with Cole Daley, recorded live for a webinar hosted by UBC Learning Circle on March 21st, 2020. Gerry discusses physical, emotional and spiritual wellness during quarantine. Ceremony is an important part of Gerry says it is important to center ceremony in our lives despite the current limitations.
This is Part 2 of Ceremony At A Distance series. During part 2, Gerry answers questions from the virtual audience. Kustkum'ckuw (thank you)
It is National Nurses Week and Indigenous Nurses Day! Thank you to the frontline heroes who show up everyday to keep us safe. Kustkum'ckcuw stucum-wi7 (Thank you, stay alert/stay well)
Ceremony at a Distance is a conversation with Cole Daley, recorded live for a webinar hosted by UBC Learning Circle on March 21st, 2020. Gerry discusses physical, emotional and spiritual wellness during quarantine. Ceremony is an important part of Gerry’s life and he shares how it helps him through difficult experiences. He says it is important to center ceremony in our lives despite the current limitations.
This is Part 1 of a 2-part series. During part 2, Gerry answers questions from the live audience.
Watch the video recording here: https://learningcircle.ubc.ca/2020/04/14/ceremony-at-a-distance-elder-gerry-oleman/
Gerry encourages us to make our home a "paradise"; to stay home and stay safe during our current global crisis.
Gerry talks about his relationship to Ceremonial Life. Ceremony refers to a spiritual or public occasion - Gerry didn't know or couldn't understand what ceremonies were for until a little later in life. Tune in and listen as he shares what he's learned about living a life in ceremony.
“It is time to warrior up - we need to beat this virus, we need to work together.” Gerry addresses #covid-19 in another special episode of Teachings in the Air. "Warrior Up" is a call to action to keep our families and communities safe during this unique time. Learn how and subscribe now.
Once again we get to listen in as Gerry addresses health care professionals as a keynote speaker! As Gerry shares his teachings, he acknowledges the significance of Indigenous ceremonies and language and using these as a means of connection. Non-Indigenous peoples can use traditional language and participation in ceremonies as a means of connection to Indigenous people; while Indigenous peoples can use these as connection to culture and values as “the original people”. Gerry not only encourages non-Indigenous peoples in this way; but also educates on how to navigate this means of connection with grace and respect.
In episode four of Teachings In The Air season 3 we get to sit in on one of Gerry’s keynote speeches: Gerry addresses the Canadian Association of Practical Nurse Educators (CAPNE) in Manitoba at a conference on Inclusivity, emphasizing the importance of inner healing and holistic health as a means to address bias and stereotypes and promote inclusivity.
In this podcast titled “Harms Way” Gerry shares teachings on the principles that kept our Indigenous ancestors out of harm’s way. Gerry’s experiences with his elders taught him the profound yet easy to remember ways in which our people avoided unnecessary situations that caused harm. Listen as Gerry teaches how we all can live in a good way and how the ways of our people can lead to a long and healthy life out of harm’s way.
Gerry joins us from a meeting with the Sacred Circles organization. While sitting fireside with his crew Gerry tells us what a sacred circle is to him and how we can "go home" to our traditional ways using such sacred circles. So Gerry aptly named this podcast "Going Home" in hopes to inspire listeners to return to traditional ways that we might once again have healthy communities, and families, and individuals.
In this first episode of our latest season, Gerry shares about our Indigenous National Treasures; our elders! For thousands of years every generation of elders has been considered the treasure of our communities and culture. Being a traditional elder himself, Gerry teaches us how to spot these treasures and treat them as such! So tune in and learn something new from an ancient way of being.
This is the final episode of Teachings In The Air season 2! So let's celebrate! In this episode entitled "Celebration" Gerry celebrates "the beauty way of life". Our people always saught out and greatly appreciated the beauty in life. So Gerry shares some the beautiful things in our Indigenous culture that we need to celebrate; beauty like our art and artists, musicians, carver's, weavers, storytellers, athletes, environmentalists, and more! We always show our appreciation through acknowledgment and celebration. So maybe you'll hear yourself in this podcast! Listen to our season finale and celebrate our culture!
In this episode of Teachings In The Air Gerry teaches about Kwazantchut; train yourself! Gerry shares stories and methods of how our Indigenous ancestors trained for everything in their lives. This training applied to everything from to hunting to ceremonies. "Kwazantchut was a way of life. Not just for athletes. It was for everyone, everyday." Gerry says. Through Kwazantchut (training) we can overcome fear and further our healing journey's towards being whole in mind, body, and spirit.
Today’s podcast is called 24/7 Indigenous, because at times, we get negative. The goal of this podcast is to bring a light to listeners about the negative and harmful habits of the colonizers manifesting themselves in our lives in a detrimental way to ourselves as individuals, to our families and communities, and ultimately, to our mother the earth.
This podcast is for all of the students out there - from kindergarten to post-secondary.
“It’s a natural feeling for all of us to feel pain, but it doesn’t mean we have to stay there. When we disown our pain, that’s when we become isolated. We must embrace that pain and let it happen; then, we can direct our life again.” Gerry believes that if we become strong families again, there is nothing that can stop us - but before that happens, we have to get past the grieving of our losses by facing them head on and dealing with them.
"Free yourself. Free yourself from negativity. Free yourself from fear and anger and depression." Gerry shares his thoughts on freeing yourself through empowerment.
Where do we belong in the circle? Colonization disrupted our Indigenous systems of governance through acts of genocide, and Gerry wants to unpack how the traumatic events that our Indigenous communities have survived have determined our behaviors today. What have been some of the impacts that have affected us? Listen along while Gerry gets to the root of some of these issues.
Have you ever gone skydiving? Gerry has, with his sister Nancy! Tune into this episode of the podcast to find out what Gerry was able to learn from jumping out of an airplane with his sister about healing and repairing unhealthy relationships within the family.
This week on the show, Gerry speaks about something that’s in all of us; that none of us in this country are immune to - and that word is colonization. Recalling the earliest memories Gerry had in hearing the term decolonization, our host explores the origins and the impacts of colonization in North American from an Indigenous way of thinking or understanding. The purpose of this podcast is to help Indigenous communities, and others listening, is to understand what happened to us in order to find a way forward through challenges and obstructions. Indigenous people have been easily and often been pathologized or deemed crazy or mentally unfit by non-Indigenous peoples over the years. This has led to much unnecessary suffering and trauma, leading us to think of ourselves as unworthy, and installing a negative self-image in ourselves and our communities. Wondering what these mental wounds of colonization are, or the traumatic impacts of colonization, Gerry explores how we find ourselves in dangerous situations of the mind, and how to find our way through these places: if we don’t work to end the internalized colonization, or healing mental wounds that are direct impacts of colonization, we risk passing on learned behaviours to our children, and our grandchildren. So how? How do we heal these mental wounds, these psychological cuts, so that we don’t negatively impact our young people and pass on unhealthy coping behaviours and ways of thinking? If we’re going to decolonize ourselves, we have to stand up for ourselves. In this episode, Gerry points out how the trauma that we’ve experienced has shaped our current circumstances, but he shines a light on some ways through the toxic thinking and colonized behaviours as we continue to encourage our communities to heal and embrace wellness.
Welcome back to Teaching In The Air podcast with your host Gerry Oldman! We're so very happy to present this first episode of Season 2 of Teachings In The Air! In our first episode of this second season, we listen to Gerry talk about the origins of his life's work, stemming from the challenges he faced as a young man struggling to recover from trauma, abuse, and addictions. Gerry's story is many of our stories, and it has a lot to teach many of us as we struggle to come to grips with our own attitudes, behaviours, and challenges in the face of continued hardships. There are many lessons for us to glean from this episode. As Gerry says, "you can't say goodbye to your problems until you say hello to them!" For Gerry, the first step was recognizing in and for himself that he had problems to deal with. As we listen to his story, we find out that the problems Gerry had to deal with were manageable, and could be overcome with some work, support from the people around him, and love from the Elders and ancestors; we are reminded that 'culture is healing.' In 1976, Gerry began promoting this idea that culture is a critical key in healing the legacies of trauma in so many of our Indigenous communities and still promotes this idea today. We can all find our way through hard times if we want change. Let's do something, let's work together to fix what's been broken. Remember to follow us on social media; we're on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - and if you like the podcast, send us some feedback! Like, repost, retweet and mention us when you share the show! We want to hear from you, so let us know what you think about our shows. We look forward to hearing from you. IndigenousPodcastHealthWellnessLifestyle
Indigenous Families, Relationships and Parenting with Colby Tootoosis On this episode of the podcast, we catch up with new father Colby Tootoosis of Poundmaker Cree Nation. We wanted to talk to Colby about relationships, parenting as a new dad, and how he and his partner Andrea are transforming legacies of historical trauma into what they call 'uncontrollable love' for one another and for their new baby daughter. We shared stories. Colby introduced us to himself, and to the work he's been cultivating in his community over the course of his younger life. He talks about developing an awareness of our trauma in order to develop strategies for healing ourselves. We discuss lessons about parenting coming from our parents, and from our new family members, about a range of issues like expressing our emotions with our children. We unpack lessons from Colby's female relatives over the course of his life, and talk about the impacts that their teachings have had on him. We talk about working on the balance between the masculine and feminine within each one of us, and acknowledging our teachers. We explored lots of issues, but this conversation can be characterized by one of the questions Gerry had for Colby: what are the core issues facing Indigenous families in North America today? According to Colby it has something to do with attempted genocide, colonialism, colonial belief systems and paradigms of "how we engage and how we connect to children." Colby told us about what it was like to welcome his daughter into the community he and his partner live in while still coming to terms with grief over loss in their families. He was very generous with his reflections and his ideas, and opened up about some very deep issues and for that, we are grateful. We are very excited to share this conversation with you. "From the 10+ years of experience in working in the front lines of communities and organizations in the areas of crisis response, suicide prevention/intervention, grief and recovery, life skills programming, individual and group counselling, family support services, and with a back ground in evolving systems using new conscious systems principles and approaches in the area of leadership; my passion remains strong in working for social transformation with people and community!" - Colby Tootoosis To find out more about the work Colby does, you can find him at his website: http://www.colbytootoosis.com
Addictions & Wellness with Paul Andrew "Happiness is a very strong medicine." This week on the show, we share a conversation we recorded back in early August with Paul Andrew from Tulíta, in the Sahtú Region of Denendeh. We talk about addictions, community challenges such as pain, loss, grief and depression, and healing rooted in the teachings of Elders and Ancestors. We discuss the connections between addictions and grief, and discover uplifting similarities in our cultural teachings around health and wellness. Paul shares what he says would be comparative to the Ten Commandments from his culture, the Three Commandments his Elders have left him to share. Gerry tells a story in which he was told the answer to a question about why our communities are struggling with addictions today. The Elders, speaking through an interpreter, said to Gerry, “Tell him we know why we’re like this.” We talk about living in solutions, and processing loss. We are very excited to share this conversation and these teachings with you. Due to some initial technical difficulties with our software tools, we needed to get creative and so we recorded this conversation from inside Gerry’s vehicle parked outside of his home, with his phone plugged into the hands-free! We did our best with the audio, but you may notice this a little in the recording. Paul Andrew was born along the Twitya River in the Mackenzie Mountains across from Tulít’a, NT. He was raised in the Sahtú Region of Treaty 11 Territory, growing up on the land in the Mackenzie Mountains across from Tulít’a before spending seven years attending residential school as a young man. After many years in residential school, Paul is a student of Dene history, including but not limited to connection to the environment, Dene understandings of cosmology, pharmacology, ecology and Indigenous spirituality. Paul became Chief of Tulita at the age of 22, the year before the Berger Inquiry heard testimony from across the Mackenzie Valley with regards to a proposed pipeline construction project. Paul worked as a broadcaster for CBC for 30 years before retiring in 2012. While at CBC, Paul covered all the biggest Northern stories of the age. After hosting On the Trapline, Focus North and Northbeat, he launched the multi-language phone-in show Ehts'ula. He's also known as a singer-songwriter, performing in his regional dialect of the Slavey language. Paul also served as the Vice President of the Dene Nation. In 2012, Paul was appointed to chair the NWT Minister’s Forum on Addictions and Community Wellness, a committee which was created to facilitate a community-engaged action plan meant to advance healing and wellness across the Northwest Territories. The committee worked to make recommendations to the department of Health and Social Services based on feedback from hearings in communities across the NWT. In May of 2017, Paul was awarded the Order of the Northwest Territories. The Order of the Northwest Territories, established in 2013 by the Territorial Emblems and Honours Act, recognizes individuals who have served with the greatest distinction and excelled in any field of endeavour benefiting the people of the NWT or elsewhere. It is the highest honour awarded to NWT residents. These days, Paul composes and performs songs in his first language: Mountain Dene, part of the North Slavey language. He visits the Mackenzie Mountains regularly to never forget ehts’ula. https://vimeo.com/76167675
Our Way(s) of Life ft. Heebz the Earthchild This week on the show, we’re talking about Our Way(s) of Life with Travis Hebert, also known as Heebz the Earthchild, who is one half of Indigenous hip-hop group Mob Bounce. We wanted to talk about what culture means to Travis, so we caught up with him in July 2017 at UBC Studios on Unceded Musqueam Territory in Vancouver, BC. We wanted to explore the harmful impacts colonialism has and continues to have on Indigenous men, and to hear about what we can do with our cultures to call our brothers to pursue healthy ways of living. We talk about Mob Bounce’s use of culture and the role that music and art play in advancing healing for the people. We discuss our ability to heal by freeing ourselves from the traps and pitfalls of colonial thinking, and then Travis drops an exclusive freestyle in the studio for us, expanding on his own personal teachings and the lessons which have inspired him to create the music he and Craig Edes, also known as The Northwest Kid, continue to perform across Canada. Mob Bounce is a Hip Hop duo that formed in the later half of 2010 with the release of their, “Mixed Blood Mixtape.” Before the mixtape release, Travis Adrian Hebert and Craig Frank Edes had been writing & recording music since 2004. Craig is Gitxsan and Travis is Cree/Metis. The two Aboriginal artists have exceptional experience in playing guitar and drums, and have blended their musicianship with elements of Electronic Dance Music (E.D.M.), and Hip Hop production; they incorporate aspects of a Cultural identity with an Artistic identity by experimenting with free toning(Chanting), and a Cultural soundscape influenced by sounds of Nature. Since the release of “Mix Blood Mixtape”, Mob Bounce has focused heavily on creating social and environmental awareness through the arts. They have done their share of anti-pipeline events and a series of shows at Vancouver Indigenous Media Arts Festival that is organized through W2 Media Arts Society in Vancouver, British Columbia. Mob Bounce spent the summer of 2014 performing at various Music Festivals and events including Aboriginal Music Week in Winnipeg, MB. Combined, they have shared the stage with; A Tribe Called Red, DJ Itchy Ron of Sweatshop Union, Git Hayetsk: “People of the Copper Shield”, We Are The City, The Born Ruffians, Filastine, Cris Derkson, Swollen Members, Leonard Sumner, Tall Paul, and other established artists. Mob Bounce’s lyrical content is based on culture, spirituality, sustainable living, healing, Mother Earth and awakening a warrior spirit, since it is a warrior who sacrifices themselves for the better of others. To listen to more of Mob Bounce’s music, you can check out their Soundcloud page at the link below: https://soundcloud.com/mob-bounce
I Want To Live. In this episode of Teachings In The Air, we talk to award-winning filmmaker and We Matter co-founder Kelvin Redvers about his journey to wellness, and what inspired him to start We Matter with his sister Tunchai. Kelvin recently dropped by our office in Vancouver, BC and we were fortunate enough to hear some stories and insights from his work in spreading hope to Indigenous youth across Canada. Kelvin Redvers is an award-winning writer, producer and film director who belongs to the Deniniu K’ue First Nation. Kelvin grew up in Hay River, Northwest Territories and now calls Vancouver home. His work covers both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal topics as well as First Nations community and aboriginal current affairs. In October 2016, Kelvin and his sister Tunchai launched 'We Matter', a national online campaign designed to bring awareness to the struggles of Indigenous youth across Canada. It is modelled after Dan Savage's 'It Gets Better' campaign and collects videos and writings from each Indigenous community across Canada with the aim of reducing the number of indigenous teen suicides, while also providing them with mental health resources. We Matter is a multi-media campaign in which Indigenous role models and allies submit art, written and video messages sharing their own experiences of overcoming hardships, and communicating with Indigenous youth that no matter how hopeless life can feel, there is always a way forward. Since launching in October 2016, the We Matter Campaign has reached millions of people on social media and continues to be an ever-growing library of positivity and hope. Kelvin and his sister mail the We Matter videos on USB drives to Indigenous communities across Canada who do not have internet access, and if you have some positive messages of support and encouragement for our Indigenous youth, you can even submit a video yourself! We had a great time catching up with Kelvin, and we hope you enjoy the episode. To find out more about We Matter, visit their website at: http://wematter.org
Season 1 Episode 1
The Fit Nation Episode October 02, 2017 In this first episode of Teachings In The Air, we talk to the I·SPARC FitNation team about the benefits of being physically active. We had a chance to catch up with FitNation at their first Spring Leaders Training in Richmond, BC back in April. During our visit, we recorded interviews and learned about the connections between physical fitness and mental health - and how easy it is to get started. One of the key features of the FitNation program is that anyone can do it - and you don't even need a gym! The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (BC) is committed to inspiring Indigenous people in BC to Move, Play and Compete. I·SPARC was established as a collaborative community health and social development initiative of the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, First Nations Health Council and the Métis Nation BC. I·SPARC, through the sum of its actions, will create responsive and enduring sport, recreation and physical activity programs for Indigenous people across BC, which will result in healthier, more active individuals, families and communities. On the show, we interview the following FitNation leaders: Robynne Edgar is the Director of Healthy Living for ISPARC - we had a chance to speak with her to find out more about FitNation and other Healthy Living programs. Dwayne Roberts is a Nike Sparq trainer, he met the ISPARC team at the N7 summit in Portland and worked closely with ISPARC to create FitNation. Michelle Webster became a FitNation leader in 2014 and has never looked back. As the inventor of the famous FitNation freeze tag, Michelle continues to inspire youth in community as the regional coordinator for the Interior for ISPARC, and she's also acted as the head coach for the North American Indigenous Games girls softball team at the 2014 and 2017 NAIG. Daniel Young-Mercer was originally trained as a FitNation leader back in 2013 for his community and now serves as the Provincial Coordinator of Physical Activity, Training and Development for ISPARC.